Launch of the FLO Startup Cell: From the Founder to Funder –A 360 Degree Spectrum

India today is one of the biggest nations in the startup ecosystem and it is abuzz with ideas, innovations, and action. Start-ups are contributing to the growth of the Indian economy and the role of women in this area is very pertinent. But the number of women entrepreneurs and business owners is much lower than male entrepreneurs. Only 13.76 percent of the total entrepreneurs in India are women, according to data by Startup India.

As one of the oldest and largest women’s chambers of commerce, FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) plays an important role in facilitating changes and working towards encouraging women in the startup scenario. With 200+ startups in our community, we aim to help them think, build, scale, pitch and fund their ventures.

On 16th June, National President Ujjwala Singhania launched the FLO Startup cell, which is an ecosystem of women founders and funders. The startup cell will have women entrepreneurs and angel investors as part of it. The purpose of the cell is to encourage and train women towards entrepreneurship and also develop experienced women entrepreneurs as investors and mentors to these startups.

The event was moderated by Archana Burman Khosla where the speakers, Mr Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal and founder at Titan capital and Padma Shree Awardee, Mr Mohandas Pai, shared their journey, insights and experiences as both entrepreneurs and investors.

FLO President Ujjwala Singhania said, “It is imperative that we invest in creating entrepreneurs and give them an enabling and conducive environment for them to thrive. FLO plays an integral part of this process and contributes effectively towards this growth agenda of the nation. We are looking at taking a step forward with this National Initiative.”

FLO National Startup Head, Dr Aarti Gupta quotes, “By creating an ecosystem of founders and funders, we are giving FLO members an opportunity to network, learn and grow. Out Partnerships with the government and private institutions will help them make their startup dream a success”.