The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) was initiated by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (ECA) in 2019 to empower women entrepreneurs by offering knowledge, networking, and access for business launch or expansion. AWE has been implemented in over 100 countries, benefitting over 25,000 women entrepreneurs, and enabling them to adapt to changing economic landscapes.

AWE focuses on entrepreneurial education, providing training in marketing strategies and personalized mentoring from industry professionals. Collaborations with local NGOs, universities, and chambers of commerce facilitate skills enhancement and networking through activities like speed mentoring, pitch competitions, and entrepreneurship fairs.

In Northeastern India, this marks the 4th cohort, following successful implementation in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. The program has already supported 450 early-stage entrepreneurs, raised around $350,000 in funding, and generated over 4,000 job opportunities.

If you're a woman with aspirations of becoming an entrepreneur or are already taking the first steps in your entrepreneurial journey, the AWE program could be an excellent opportunity for you. AWE is designed to equip women like you with the essential knowledge, skills, and valuable networks necessary for achieving success in the business world while promoting women's empowerment. In your region, AWE 4.0 is looking for women start-ups venturing into Agri-Tech, Sustainable and Green Business, Handloom, Handicrafts, Education Technology, Food Processing, Hospitality, Tourism, and Information Technology. Your aspiration to expand and innovate, interest to learn, and commitment to empower other women entrepreneurs will help you to be an AWEntrepreneur.

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ tab on the website and fill up the proposed form. For any queries mail us at: team@women4economy.net

Among the pool of applications, around 100 entrepreneurs will be selected based on their business ideas, business motivations, and vision. This will be followed by business diagnostics by Experts, verifying and validating the business. About 30 of them will be shortlisted from each state for the first round of capacity building.

Our registration ends in January 2024, the selected entrepreneurs will be notified via e-mail before commencement of the first round of training in February 2024.

Academy for Women Entrepreneurs 4.0 is reaching out to women entrepreneurs from Tripura and Mizoram as many women entrepreneurs in this region have started small-scale home-based businesses without formal training or business structure. The cultural and societal norms practiced in India often place a strong emphasis on women's domestic responsibilities, especially if they are married. Consequently, joining a sustainable network that provides training in business concepts, feasibility, and communication skills is vital for preparing them to actively contribute to broader economic development.