FLO Kolkata, under the leadership of Chairperson Ms. Mansi Agarwal, in collaboration with Career After Family, organized a programme, Peer to Peer Networking which focused on providing networking & market access opportunities to the members. Conceptualised under FLO Kolkata’s Startup Cell/Export & Networking and MSME initiatives, the programme provided a dynamic business ecosystem where women entrepreneurs connected with relevant peers, expand their professional networks, and unlock opportunities for B2B collaborations, business referrals, procurement, partnerships, and market linkages.
The initiative encouraged participants to articulate their products, services, expertise, and business requirements with clarity, thereby enabling more relevant introductions and meaningful connections. The initiative also provided women rebuilding or redefining their professional journeys with access to a wider entrepreneurial ecosystem and valuable market connections. The collaboration between FLO Kolkata and Career After Family added further diversity to the platform.
It created an intersection between established entrepreneurs, emerging business owners, professionals, and women navigating renewed professional journeys. This exchange broadened participants’ networks beyond their existing circles and introduced them to new business perspectives and possibilities. The peer-to-peer format encouraged direct and meaningful engagement.
The programme featured Mrs. Kavita Agarwal, Founder of Career After Family, who supports women in reconnecting with professional opportunities and navigating renewed career and entrepreneurial journeys. Her association with the programme brought together a diverse group of women representing varied professional backgrounds, enterprises, and business interests.
Participants had the opportunity to discuss challenges, share industry insights, seek recommendations, and identify relevant connections. Such exchanges demonstrated the importance of trusted networks in opening doors to new markets and strengthening commercial relationships. The event reinforced the idea that effective networking must translate into tangible business value.
Key Takeaways
- Expanded business networks by connecting 60 women from FLO Kolkata and Career After Family.
- Facilitated B2B linkages by bringing together entrepreneurs with complementary products, services, and business capabilities.
- Enabled business referrals and procurement opportunities through direct peer-to-peer interactions.
- Strengthened market access by connecting participants with potential customers, suppliers, collaborators, and business partners.
- Encouraged strategic partnerships by identifying areas of mutual interest and commercial synergy.
- Enhanced entrepreneurial visibility by enabling participants to present their businesses and expertise within a curated network.
- Created opportunities for collaboration across diverse industries and professional backgrounds.
- Supported women entrepreneurs and professionals in expanding their commercial and professional ecosystems.
- Promoted purposeful networking by shifting the focus from exchanging contacts to creating relevant business opportunities.
- Reinforced collective enterprise growth by demonstrating how strong peer networks can lead to referrals, partnerships, procurement, and market opportunities.
Impact & Outcome
With 60 participants from FLO Kolkata and Career After Family, the Peer to Peer networking programme successfully fostered a stronger culture of enterprise-led collaboration. B2B linkages were created, opening pathways for continued business conversations, referrals, procurement possibilities, partnerships, and wider market access.
This purposeful business engagement reinforced FLO Kolkata’s commitment to creating platforms where women entrepreneurs can connect with purpose, access relevant markets, and convert professional relationships into meaningful opportunities for enterprise growth.