The CEO of TN-RISE (Tamil Nadu Rural Incubator Startup Enabler), P Uma Maheswari, has set an ambitious target to mentor 1,000 women entrepreneurs each year. She focuses on guiding women entrepreneurs irrespective of their scale and visibility. Women who aspire to simple self-employment options require strong support, where TN-RISE plays a major role.
TN-RISE is a Tamil Nadu-based organization that supports women entrepreneurs in various sectors, offering market connections, packaging, and financial assistance. It has signed MoUs with companies like Flipkart, and HP for mentorship purposes and is in talks with Amazon, and Razorpay. TN-RISE has already supported 250 beneficiaries since its launch in July 2024, with plans to double its target. The TN-RISE also offers pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration programs for entrepreneurs, including a ride aggregator for female entrepreneurs to buy e-scooters.
The TN-RISE CEO emphasizes that entrepreneurship doesn't require any educational qualifications, but those who brand and market products create jobs and growth opportunities. They aim to empower women, even those aged 50-60, by partnering with a ride aggregator for 'Pink Bikes' and piloting 25 women entrepreneurs in Chennai. Partnering with the Tamil Nadu Urban Livelihood Mission, they support women purchasing two-wheelers directly from the manufacturers with subsidies loan rates.
CEO P Uma Maheswari explains that women entrepreneurs seek market support, financial assistance, and information about government schemes, where TN-RISE will offer guidance. The organization aims to facilitate 1,000 women entrepreneurs annually, with 30 per cent emerging as startups. These startups focus on assistive technology, AI, and recycling along with fast-moving consumer goods. They are planning to establish one-stop facility centers by January 2025, and co-working spaces across the state.
