The Marwadi University (MU) in- house startup incubator, MUIIR, and the Women’s Cell at Marwadi University (MU) have joined forces with the CII-Indian Women Network to advance gender equity on National Startup Day. This collaboration is focused on cultivating an early entrepreneurial mindset among female students who are eager to explore entrepreneurship, startup development and enhance the professionalism of their family businesses. The startup ecosystem, as highlighted in the 2023 WISER Report, has been pioneering in this aspect, with 18% of India’s startups currently being led by women, according to an official release.
The Marwadi University claims that its Centre of Innovation, Incubation and Research (MUIIR) in partnership with government and industry entities has provided funding to nearly 135 startups. Additionally, it claims to have initiated more than 200 patents and invested more than Rs five crore to bolster the startup ecosystem in Gujarat, the release mentioned.
“The collaboration aims to inspire many more girls to choose the path of startups and entrepreneurship and thus be the growth engines of our Viksit Bharat@ 2047. While significant strides have been made with the startup ecosystem generally employing a higher number of female workers than traditional corporate businesses, there is still a long way to go in order to ensure gender parity and workforce participation,” Foram Chandarana, assistant professor, head, Marwadi University Women’s Cell, said.
Furthermore, the university has established the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Family Business, dedicated to assisting students in professionalising and expanding family-led businesses, it added.
“If India is to become the third largest economy by 2030, significant strides will need to be made to promote female entrepreneurship. It’s imperative that we fast-track female progression in and tackle any impeding barriers to innovation and entrepreneurship,” Amit Sata, associate dean, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Marwadi University, said.