On 30^th and 31^st May a two days meet was conducted at the American Centre, Kolkata. The meet was attended by more than 50 women entrepreneurs of different domains from Kolkata and Sub-urbs. Experts and mentors from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and USA joined in this meeting to talk about sub-regional coalitions, access to finance for women entrepreneurs, access to market, investor master class, building eco-system for women leadership, women in leadership roles, skill development and well being at workplace. The meeting also had learning sharing sessions where successful entrepreneurs and social enterprises shared about their journey and an elevator pitch session where 6 startups from Assam and Kolkata presented their Pitch Decks in front of investment professionals. This meet was able to bring together mentors from different sectors like, finance, business networks and chambers, investors, social enterprises contributing in women’s economic empowerment, skill building organizations, corporate professionals, well being experts and successful entrepreneurs. An extraordinary entrepreneur and founder president of Bangladesh women chamber of commerce and industries, Ms. Selima Ahmad, Zonal Manager of Thengamara Mahila Sabuj Sangha, Ms. Shamiha Yeasin Bintu, Head of Communication and Gender Focal at Mir group, Ms. Moniza Islam, Ms. Tushita Chakma from Bangladesh High Commission,  President of Federation of Women Entrepreneurs association Nepal,  Ms. Neeru Rayamajhi Khatri and Vice president Ms. Darshana Shrestha, along with Ms. Kimberly M. Moore and Ednesha Saulsbury, Co-Founders of Black Women Be Whole from USA graced the meeting. Other experts from leading organizations like Grameen Foundation India, O.P Jindal Global University, Indian Women Network-CII, IIT Kharagpur, IIMCIP, FICCI-FLO, Indian Chamber of International Business (ICIB), WEConnect International, Association of Supply Chain Professionals, Y-East – AnInitiative of Techno India Group, Green Business Network, Vector Finance, NASSCOM, Mumbai Angels, MeritX Ventures, Array Innovative Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Global Links Initiative, Tata Electronics, Suncraft Energy, SwitchON Foundation, Empower Pragati, India Humanity Foundation, OnGanic Foods Pvt. Ltd., NECESSITY, Easy Note Stationery Pvt. Ltd., Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), business chambers came togated and discussed about the existing issues, resources and probable solutions. Ms. Melinda Pavek, Consul General of US Consulate General Kolkata and Juan A. Clar and Deputy Director of American Center were present and prepared the foreword of the meeting and Mr. Adrian Pratt, Director of American Center shared concluded the meet.

Watch the Sessions here:

Read the blog!