On November 13, 2017 over 85 Speakers, 50 stalls, 1,650+ visitors, 150 Industry Thought Leaders, 30+ Outreach Partners and Women’s and Business Associations came together in Gurugram, India for ThinkBig 2017 to give a resounding yes to our shared vision of creating an inclusive ecosystem focused on women entrepreneurs.

The summit addressed the issues that women entrepreneurs face and discussed possible solutions and initiatives for tackling these issues. Women business owners had the opportunity to hear from and connect with government officials, industry thought leaders, high level corporate managers, and investors. This unique event allows women owned businesses to make connections that can lead to business growth and accessing corporate supply chains, as well as having unique access to experts from across banking and finance, women’s economic empowerment, and government sectors.

Several high-level initiatives to promote women’s entrepreneurship from private corporations were announced during the Summit, including Procter and Gamble’s announcement that it is launching a training course for women business owners in partnership with WEConnect International.

Procter and Gamble has partnered with WEConnect International to implement similar programs in South Africa, Turkey, China, and Mexico with great success, and in 2018 it will expand the program for the first time to India. The eight-week course, comprising 10 modules and presented by the P&G leadership team and trainers will be open to WEConnect International in India certified women’s business enterprises. The program for India will be taking applications from December 2017 to January 2018 and the training will take place in April 2018 in Mumbai. Women-owned businesses (51% owned, operated, and managed) are encouraged to apply here.

In a statement from Elizabeth Vazquez, CEO and Co-Founder of WEConnect International, she emphasized, “WEConnect International is proud to partner with P&G in Nigeria, Mexico, and India for their training programs for our certified women owned businesses. We’re excited to have a partner like P&G who is as committed to women’s economic empowerment as we are.”

Procter and Gamble is committed to global supplier diversity to include businesses owned by women, minorities, and LGBT groups. This program is part of P&G’s commitment to training women business owners as part of its global gender equality strategy.

ThinkBig 2017 was Asia’s largest women’s entrepreneurship platform to connect women-owned businesses with public and private sector opportunities. It facilitated women business wners to network and interact with other businesses and industry luminaries from around India and across the globe.

WEConnect International helps women-owned businesses succeed in global value chains. It identifies, educates, registers, and certifies women's business enterprises based outside of the U.S. that are at least 51% owned, managed, and controlled by one or more women, and then connects them with qualified member buyers. 

(November 3, 2017) ThinkBig Summit is Asia’s largest platform for Women Entrepreneurs to connect with Indian and global corporations and small and medium businesses to open doors to

future trade and collaboration. The two-day event aims to bridge the gap between companies and women entrepreneurs, establishing successful collaborations through strategic partnerships. It brings together women entrepreneurs, corporate buyers, government representatives, industry mentors, women industry associations, investors and media to inspire and empower women entrepreneurs. 

For more information and to register, please visit the full website here.

(October 13, 2017) Women Entrepreneurship Development program (WEDP) aims to build the capacity of Women-Owned Businesses (WOBs) in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi/NCR, Maharashtra, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh

This program uses a combination of capacity building workshops and mentoring support to strengthen both the entrepreneurs and their enterprises and connect them to institutions and the marketplace.

WEDP provides an opportunity for participants to meet successful entrepreneurs to share, learn and network.

WEDP 2017 will involve identifying and training 64 high-potential women entrepreneurs and training them on 10 different modules, over a period of 9 months. On successful completion of the training, Walmart will procure goods and services from these women entrepreneurs. Walmart, WeConnect International, ThinkThrough Consulting and Amity University are the strategic implementing partners of this program.

Walmart India also published a press release about the second round of the program, highlighting WEConnect International's involvement in the project as well as Walmart India's commitment to empower women around the world and help women owned businesses succeed and grow. The announcement was also featured in Economic Times, with the Walmart India President and CEO Krish Iyer calling the initiative strategic for the business and contributes to creating shared value for the company, stakeholders, and society. 

For more details about eligibility for the program, please review this pdf. To apply for the program, please use the application located here.