GoK AND NASSCOM supported CWE organizes first Shark Tank for women led startups

Catalyst for Women Entrepreunership (CWE) has conducted its first ‘Shark Tank’ experience for women led startups in association with NASSCOM and the Department of IT, BT and S&T. Five successful startups led by aspiring women entrepreneurs were given a chance to present their business ideas and innovative products to a group of investors for potential funding. During the event, CWE also conducted the graduation of startups that had successfully completed their one year incubation at NASSCOM. A total of eight startups were felicitated on completion of their incubation.

The department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, in partnership with CWE (Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship) will be accepting applications for women entrepreneurs for incubation at the K-Tech Innovation Hub at Nasscom. The women led startups will be chosen through a rigorous selection process and will be given access to finance, markets and networking opportunities. In addition, the entrepreneurs will have access to world class mentors, business skills and business networks. The incubation program aims to incubate 15 startups in 2019-2020 and another 15 in 2020-2021.

E Champa, General Manager, K-Tech, Department of IT,BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka, says, “We believe that this incubation space is at the right place and at the right time. Our aim is to promote innovative startups and give them the necessary push to scale their business ideas. Through this incubation center that we have established, which is being run by CWE, we want to support the entrepreneurial efforts of women, irrespective of what stage their businesses are at. Through CWE, we give them access to mentors, investors and a chance to network with other like-minded entrepreneurs. In order to further encourage women in technology, the Government will also be setting up ‘Prerna’, a program that reskills women who have taken a sabbatical and want to get back to work.”

Sucharita Eshwar, Founder and CEO, Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship (CWE) comments, "CWE is a platform for 2650 women currently in different stages of the business cycle. We have a network of 49 cities across 16 states. CWE was set up by the Government of Karnataka's ITBT&ST Department in association with NASSCOM and is the first technology women’s incubator. We are proud to have organized the first ever shark tank experience for women entrepreneurs."

The startups that presented included Cradlewise, Cydee Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Bare Necessities – Zero Waste India, Talking Street and Kriyo. Cradlewise are in the business of smart cradles with responsive soothing advance baby monitor, safety alerts, app features and hammock designed for babies uninterrupted sleep. Cydee Technologies deals with intelligent and innovation road lighting solutions. Bare Necessities–Zero Waste India is a hub for awareness on waste free living with eco-friendly products. Talking Street creates a curated culinary experience for foodies. Kriyo has an application that allows parents to view instant updates sent from their child’s preschool. Investors included Samir Kumar. MD, Inventus(India) Advisors, Revathy Ashok, Angel Investor, Indian Angel Network, Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner, Accel India and Usha Amin, Co-Founding Partner, Saha Fund.

Investors were of the opinion that all presentations were of very high standards and have a great potential.