Young COWE: Helping young women fulfill entrepreneurial dream

Business is a vast field for both men and women in the society, as it showcases the intellectual side of a person who can make a difference in the chosen industry. An entrepreneur stands to prove his/her belief and bring the best to the consumer and to prove themselves best in the market. Srinithya Karati, Chairperson for Young COWE Telangana chapter, tells Bizz Buzz about how the young generation can promote their unique business ideas and later make their dreams come true.

The main focus of Young COWE is to develop skills that promote entrepreneurship among young women through EDPs, workshops, site visits, internships and several other ways. Srinithya says, "We conduct awareness programmes to increase the exposure to current business and market scenarios. Facilitate networking opportunities among driven, like- minded women who can collaborate and start organisations whether it is for profit or not-for-profit. Promote volunteering spirit and contribute for the betterment of the society. Organise fundraising and recruiting events for sustenance and growth of Young COWE, so we can reach out to more and more young women."

Young COWE is an integral part of COWE addressing the needs of young women. "Our aim is to provide a platform for young women to meet, inspire and get inspired by their peers, develop skills and confidence to become socially responsible entrepreneurs. My motto behind Young COWE is to promote entrepreneurship at college level by interacting with students, providing relevant mentoring, training and internship. Young COWE provides volunteering opportunities to students. We have representatives from various colleges who work closely with their EDP cells and Young COWE," says Srinithya.

"Business is a vast field and before entering this, a person must first have clarity about what is the concept and idea behind it. Idea plays a major role to start a business. Sometimes the best idea may turn out worst and worst idea might emerge as the best. Therefore, an idea has to be unique and simple," Srinithya opines.

"Every year, it conducts business idea competition to promote entrepreneurship at college-level to bring out creative, talented, skilled and enthusiastic students and make them involve in entrepreneurial activity," says Srinithya.

"Fempreneurs, a business idea 2021 competition had received an overwhelming response from various colleges across Telangana. A total of 106 teams from various colleges registered for this event. After 3 rounds of idea presentation, top 10 teams were mentored by entrepreneurs from COWE Telangana. Finale was held on March 7, 2021 and top six teams were awarded with a cash prize. Now we are in the process of conducting the next business idea competition to inspire and motivate students," Srinitha adds.

"Young COWE enters into MoUs with educational institutions, non-profit and commercial entities to collaborate for the cause of empowering young women through entrepreneurship and to create awareness about entrepreneurs for the students of various institutes," says Srinithya.

"COWE has signed MoUs with Vasavi Academy of Education,

Progressive Engineering College, Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management College, St Ann's College for Women, St Francis College for Women, Telangana, St Joseph College in Telangana," shares Srinithya.

Students' business ideas are unique and could bring a vibrant change in the industry, if successfully implemented.

About opportunities, Srinithya says, "Entrepreneur Development Program (EDP) Prathibha is an online entrepreneurship programme for women and college students, where interested students can take part in and learn the process and techniques to achieve their vision towards making their career as an entrepreneur."

Talking about "Strive," Srinithya says, "Strive is a scheme to encourage establishments to provide training to any person who is above 14 years of age and possesses minimal educational qualification prescribed for a trade. One year apprenticeship has been initiated for women as part of this scheme. Joint effort with industry is supported by Ministry of Skill Development, Government of India."

Short term job guarantee certification training is being provided to school and college dropouts, as part of the PMKVY and Skill development programme with Nabard support in rural Telangana is among few other programmes conducted by this organisation.

"These programmes are conducted for the social and economic upliftment of women or young women through entrepreneurship," adds Srinithya.

In view of the changing business scenario by the day, students need proper guidance to avoid struggle and fulfill their dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

"Young COWE team is here for those students who can put forward their business ideas. Students can reach us anytime so that we can train them and give them the right guidance to become a successful businesswoman in future," concludes Srinithya.