28 July, 2022
The curtains to the first round of the Challenge Fund under NRETP Incubator Program (Assam) were pulled down on 21 July 2022, following 3 days of vivacious exhibition of entrepreneurial spirit by the enterprising women of rural Assam.
150 women-led rural enterprises were divided into 3 batches to participate in the Pitch Training Camp organized by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. Post the training, each batch pitched before a panel of experts that comprised of IIMCIP mentors, subject matter experts and high officials from National Rural Livelihood Mission.
The vibrant gamut of products dealt in by the entrepreneurs represented the quintessential colours and flavours of Assam, and were sights to behold. The stories of these entrepreneurs are true blue examples of passion and perseverance. Almost everyone had stories to tell about the massive challenges in meeting the needs of daily life. Yet, their optimism and tenacity to look right into the eyes of the challenges and pursue entrepreneurship to dismantle those challenges, are qualities that everyone can take a leaf from.
Six months of extensive outreach across Assam, 7000 plus applications, screening, orientation programs, and field verification had led to the first round of the Challenge Fund. The second round with another 100 women-led rural enterprises in Assam will be held in September this year. Subsequently, 150 of these enterprises will be selected to receive funding in the form of grant and interest-free loans, along with incubation support from IIM Calcutta Innovation Park.
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