Women entrepreneurs in Orissa have revolutionized the startup ecosystem

This was at a time when women were confined to a few professions and stereotyped that some jobs and businesses were exclusively male-dominated. In 2023, women are conquering everything: pilots, cricketers, realtors, stock market traders, chemical engineers. Women today are questioning all the labels that have been a part of their lives over the years.

Odisha’s women have a strong position in their ventures, thanks to a startup culture that has slowly emerged as an economic game changer. Moreover, homegrown businesses are becoming more popular in Orissa, and there is no denying that women are changing the status quo in a traditionally male-dominated sector. Her 48% of all healthcare and life sciences startups in Odisha are female-led, and her 46% of startups in sectors such as food processing, food delivery and food and beverages are female-led. . When it comes to textiles and apparel and social impact, female founders lead the competition, with 58% and her 63% respectively of all startups. Since time immemorial, sectors such as education, food and beverages, and textiles have been largely driven by women. In a field like this, it was a no-brainer for them. Globally, there is empirical evidence that women play a crucial role in ensuring food security and conserving local agricultural biodiversity. Rural women are responsible for the integrated management and use of diverse natural resources to meet their daily household needs. Similarly, women have a natural talent for understanding the innate emotions of their students.

The pandemic has also forced many women into taking the “calculated risk” of embarking on their entrepreneurial journey during the pandemic, making it a “powerhouse” for many of Odisha’s ambitious and ambitious urban women. It also functioned as an opportunity to give At 21 and at her 65, women are increasingly free to work, spending more time innovating and earning their own income while pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. increase.

“Women’s empowerment is not a slogan, it is a non-negotiable norm for us,” said Naveen Patnaik Jishri. Odisha is now poised to embark on a transformative journey that will undoubtedly empower many of Odisha’s women-led start-ups. From her low of less than 20% in 2017 and her 2018, the percentage of certified startups with female (co-)founders has increased to 43% in 2022. This remarkable milestone has been brought about by the state government’s proactive policy integration. What makes me even happier is that Orissa stands out with her 43% of female-led start-ups compared to the national average female entrepreneurship rate of 18%.

Women are breaking down barriers and breaking down stereotypes in Odisha’s vibrant startup ecosystem. Solar Infra is a renewable technology-driven company redefining how sustainable energy sources are used globally. With strong capabilities in renewable energy systems, solar infrastructure will enable a greener tomorrow. The battery sister duo of Nishita and Nikita, founders of Nexus Power in Odisha, may be powered by the spirit of technology to help tackle more immediate environmental issues. They want to offer protein-based batteries instead of lithium-ion batteries (made from proteins obtained from crop residues). Compared to a lithium-ion battery that takes 2-3 hours to charge, this battery can reach full charge in 10 minutes and power 450 kilometers of driving. This is true innovation at its best.

Her baby was born prematurely when Smona suffered from a rare pregnancy disorder called preeclampsia. Thus was born her Prantae Solution, which develops diagnostic instruments primarily focused on pregnancy health care and other related ailments.

A significant percentage of women today also enthusiastically support other women. We find that women-owned and/or led businesses automatically increase the number of women in the workforce, creating safety measures and a welcoming workplace culture for female employees. Women entrepreneurs are becoming more aware of the importance of creating a safe and secure environment for all.

One of the most important aspects of enabling women entrepreneurs to succeed is building a supportive “ecosystem” for women entrepreneurs, starting at home. Receives social, emotional, and financial support at home from family and close friends (especially parents and spouse) regardless of the stage in her life, whether she is currently single, married, or future mother can be a true catalyst. Their journey to seamless entrepreneurial success.

Whether in big cities, small cities, or the most remote suburbs and villages in the country, it’s amazing to see so many women entrepreneurs emerging every day, bringing unique ideas and innovations. It’s worth doing. Seeing this change every day inspires and motivates me. There is still a long way to go, but the historic journey of up-and-coming female entrepreneurs who have come here to change the face of Orissa’s economy has already begun.

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