FLO Chennai, led by Chairperson Dr. Divya Abhishek, organized various initiatives across multiple verticals, fostering empowerment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth for women. Attended by 20 people, the meeting with vertical heads presenting their work and summarizing their contributions.
Trade & Delegation
The delegation to Delhi included a meeting with the Vice President of India and a visit to the old and new Parliament buildings. The annual retreat to Kolkata was equally impactful.
Legal Policy & Advocacy
Major events included a seminar with Jagrithi Foundation and FCDR on mediation and legal awareness, sessions with Henley & Partners on succession planning, and discussions on LGBTQ rights and women’s property laws. A collaboration with ICA Domus Trust focused on cooperative societies and actionable policy solutions.
Impact – Rural Entrepreneurship and Livelihood
The Aari embroidery training program empowered 1,000+ women through a 2.5-month intensive course across six locations, enabling many to become homepreneurs. Supported by CSR efforts, it ensures sustainability through internships and certifications.
Startup Cell
Startups enrolled in the Stanford Seed Program and SHE Rises cohort (22 startups, Chennai ranked 3rd). Partnerships with IIM B NSRCELL and Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women Initiative resulted in four Chennai women joining.
A collaboration with TN-RISE facilitated mentorship for 75+ women-led startups. Key conclaves impacted 2,560 students. 3 startups were finalists in the SHE Rises Conclave, while others completed the Goldman Sachs program.
Handloom and Textile
Efforts focused on reviving Toda Embroidery and Bhavani Jamakkalams. Toda shawls were presented to national leaders, and collaborations with designers modernized their appeal. The vertical expanded Bhavani Jamakkalams to home décor, ensuring the craft’s survival. These initiatives were showcased at 6 major events.
Business Networking
Smaller gatherings facilitated 300+ interactions. A key event at the British High Commission on July 10 fostered UK-India business ties, attended by 84 individuals, including 77 women.
These events took place at various residences and businesses, including Shradha Lulla’s and Avantika Gupta’s residences, Bhalakh Medical Center, Sadhev and Meraki Soulful Life.
MSME Assist
The MSME Vertical organized several initiatives to support and empower women entrepreneurs. Key initiatives included the May 4, 2024, MSME Summit, and a June 6 Master Class on GeM Procurement.
The National Conference on Women in Leadership, on January 28, focused on employability skills and entrepreneurship, recognizing student leadership ideas. At HACK4PURPOSE 2024, over 8500 participants discussed sustainable innovation, with 100 startups presenting their ideas. Mentorship programs at IIT Chennai, IIT Jodhpur, and AIIMS Jodhpur supported startups through the National Startup Mentorship Program. An upcoming Faculty Development Workshop on February 21, 2025, will focus on employability, entrepreneurship, and student confidence-building, especially for underprivileged students.
Membership
Membership grew from 515 to 1,100. A detailed membership deck, online inductions, and personal outreach ensured smooth renewals. A waitlist for future applicants was compiled.
FLO Marketplace
The FLO Marketplace has successfully generated approximately Rs. 2 Lakhs in revenue through a combination of promotions for member businesses and paid advertisements from external companies.
Empowerment
The vertical has focused on creating a significant impact through a series of knowledge-based programs. Key events organized include sessions with renowned speakers including Twinkle Khanna, Ankur Warikoo, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, BK Shivani, and Mr. K. Annamalai. Sessions covered entrepreneurship, personal development, and effective decision-making.
Impact – Literacy
The vertical has made strides, working with 8 schools and impacting 890 students. Over the course of the initiative, 16 topics were covered, focusing on creating interest in technical subjects. The collaboration with St. Gobain India Limited helped emphasize the importance of science, and the increased interest among students in this field has been notable.
Partnerships and Collaboration
The Collaboration and Partnerships vertical hosted its first event at Ignaa, which provided a networking opportunity for new members to align with the FLO spirit. Key events included “Her Health Matters” with Apollo Hospitals and the “CanStop Walk” for cancer awareness. The vertical also hosted the “CanStop Walk,” aimed at raising awareness for cancer through a walk and a health camp.
Impact – Diversity and Inclusion
Internships for specially-abled individuals were facilitated at Advantage Foods, offering a 6-month program with a stipend of Rs. 10,000 per month. The first batch completed their internships in June 2024, with 1 candidate securing a job, while the second batch commenced in September 2024.
To promote inclusivity, 2 NGOs working in the Diversity & Inclusion (DNI) space were given opportunities to exhibit at most FLO events. In total, 11 NGOs have showcased their work through stalls at these events. 2 MOUs were signed with NGOs in the DNI space to extend support. ChatGPT training sessions were conducted for special educators at Clarke’s School for the Deaf, with attendees from multiple NGOs. A performance by 40 students from this program is scheduled to take place at Narada Gana Sabha.
Fashion and Jewellery
The Fashion Vertical focused on sustainability, emphasizing heritage preservation, artisan support, and responsible fashion choices. A collaboration with Raw Mango and a leading jeweler at Egmore Museum. Key events included World Saree Day at Leela Palace, drawing 2,100+ attendees. A contemporary take on fashion was introduced through an event featuring avant-garde designers at Amethyst. The vertical, with 4 marquee events and a total footfall of over 2,100 members.
Social Media
The social media follower count grew from 2,500 to 4,515. Posts increased from 400 to 900, reaching 10.6 lakh accounts, with an average of 2.19 lakh views per month. The social media outreach efforts have led to growth over the years. The follower count increased from 2,500 in April to 4,515 in February. Content creation remained a priority, with the number of posts rising from 400 in April to 900 in February. This sustained activity contributed to a total reach of 10,64,616 accounts. User interactions per quarter stood at 1,714, and the platform recorded an average of 2,19,163 views per month.
