Kurukshetra University ignites ‘Saksham Nari’ to propel women-led startups

Kurukshetra University launched the KUK Saksham Nari startup campaign recently to promote women entrepreneurship during a programme organised by the Kurukshetra University Technology Incubation Centre (KUTIC).

Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof Som Nath Sachdeva said, “Women entrepreneurs have a crucial role to play in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat, and educational institutions have an important responsibility in supporting and nurturing their entrepreneurial aspirations.”

He said the primary objective of the initiative is to economically empower women and help them establish themselves as successful entrepreneurs. Women-led ventures will receive guidance, training, mentorship and institutional support to formalise and scale their businesses, including assistance in converting them into private limited companies.

Prof Sachdeva added that KU has been consistently promoting innovation, research and startup culture by providing students, researchers and young entrepreneurs with the resources and guidance required to transform innovative ideas into viable enterprises. KUTIC Coordinator Lt Ajay Jangra said enterprises with at least 51 per cent ownership by a woman would qualify as women-led ventures. The campaign is open to current students, university alumnae, women from Haryana and women-majority enterprises that meet the prescribed eligibility criteria.

He informed that online registrations will remain open till June 20 through the KUTIC website. Shortlisted participants will undergo a 15-day intensive entrepreneurship training programme conducted by industry experts, entrepreneurs and banking professionals. Selected entrepreneurs will be eligible for financial assistance ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25 lakh to establish or expand their ventures. Dr Jangra added that the university will also bear the cost of registering successful ventures as private limited companies. Members of the newly constituted Project Action Group were also introduced during the event.