We Rise Initiative

The We Rise Initiative, recently launched by NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) in collaboration with DP World, is a significant step in empowering women entrepreneurs in India.

About the We Rise Initiative:

• Objective: The Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprises (We Rise) initiative aims to scale businesses globally by empowering women entrepreneurs through trade facilitation, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.

• Focus: The initiative is particularly focused on product-centric women entrepreneurs—those who produce physical goods or products. This is intended to provide them with the necessary support to grow their businesses and enter global markets.

• Collaboration: The initiative is a unique public-private partnership, with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and DP World joining forces to create opportunities for women-owned businesses to expand and compete globally.

Key Features:

1. Trade Facilitation: Helping women entrepreneurs navigate international trade, including access to global markets, logistics, and supply chains.

2. Mentorship: Providing personalized guidance and mentoring to women business owners, helping them navigate challenges and scale up their businesses.

3. Strategic Partnerships: Creating avenues for collaboration with other businesses, investors, and networks to ensure sustainable growth and scaling of women-led enterprises.

About NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP):

• Launched: The platform was incubated by NITI Aayog in 2018 and transitioned into a public-private partnership in 2022.

• Purpose: WEP acts as a national aggregator for women entrepreneurs in India, aiming to strengthen the ecosystem and make women-led development a reality.

• Functions: WEP addresses six key ecosystem needs for women entrepreneurs:

  1. Access to Finance: Helping women access capital to grow their businesses.

  2. Market Linkages: Connecting women entrepreneurs with new markets, both domestic and international.

  3. Training and Skilling: Providing necessary training to improve business acumen and skills.

  4. Mentoring and Networking: Offering mentorship and facilitating networking opportunities with successful entrepreneurs and experts.

  5. Compliance and Legal Assistance: Assisting with regulatory and legal compliance, which can often be a challenge for new businesses.

  6. Business Development Services: Offering services that help entrepreneurs in areas such as marketing, strategy, and product development.

The Role of DP World:

• DP World, a leading global logistics and trade solutions provider, brings its expertise in supply chain management, global logistics, and trade facilitation to the initiative. Their involvement is crucial in providing the infrastructure and services needed to connect women entrepreneurs with global markets.

What Does This Mean for Women Entrepreneurs?

• Access to Global Markets: The We Rise Initiative significantly broadens the export opportunities for women-led businesses, helping them connect with international buyers and partners.

• Sustainable Growth: Through mentorship and strategic partnerships, women entrepreneurs can gain the tools and support needed to scale their businesses in a sustainable manner.

• Inclusive Economic Growth: By empowering women in business, the initiative aims to contribute to inclusive growth in India, addressing gender gaps in entrepreneurship and facilitating economic empowerment.