Matribhumi Samachar English
The event is funded under the International Cooperation Scheme of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India.
Women-led enterprises account for nearly 13.5 to 15% of the GDP.
Hyderabad, February 24th, 2025: The Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE), is hosting the prestigious The Women’s International Summit on Entrepreneurship (WISE) & B2B Expo 2025, on February 28th and March 1st, 2025, at the Engineering Staff College in Gachibowli, Hyderabad, India. WISE is a transformative event empowering women entrepreneurs by providing a platform for networking, learning, and collaboration. This premier event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, global trade representatives, and women entrepreneurs. The goal is to foster cross-sector collaborations, technological innovations, and sustainable business growth.
This prestigious event, funded under the International Cooperation Scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, will highlight the critical role women entrepreneurs play in driving India’s economy. Women-led enterprises contribute significantly, representing 20% of MSMEs, employing over 23% of the workforce, and accounting for nearly 13.5 to 15% of the GDP.
The theme of the event, “Innovation, Sustainability, and Cross-Border Collaboration”, underscores the significance of adopting cutting-edge practices, promoting eco-friendly initiatives, and cultivating international alliances to empower women entrepreneurs in a rapidly evolving business landscape, fostering their growth and success.
Attendees can anticipate gaining valuable insights on current market trends, developing strategic networking skills, and acquiring practical business strategies through engaging keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions, and hands-on workshops specifically designed to empower women entrepreneurs for success in the global marketplace. The summit aims to provide a platform for women to showcase their businesses, connect with potential partners, gain valuable insights from experts in various industries, and establish enduring partnerships that drive sustained growth and success in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
This event will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Governor of Telangana, Shri Jishnu Dev Verma, as the Chief Guest, adding prestige to the opening ceremony. The event will also be graced by Shri Sridhar Babu, Minister for Industry and Commerce, Govt of Telangana, and Smt. Konda Surekha, Minister for Environment and Forests, Govt of Telangana, as Guests of Honor. This inaugural session will mark the beginning of a transformative platform, emphasizing the role of technology in driving global opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Speaking on the occasion Ms. Shylaja Reddy, Founder Director, COWE; said, COWE has come a long way in the last twenty years, it is a pan India organisation to empower women, with 1800 life members in 12 Chapters with a footprint across Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, UP, Uttara Khand, West Bengal, Haryana.
Ms. Uma Ghurka, Founder Director, COWE; said, we realised two decades ago that women needed lot of support and encouragement from each other and that’s how we formed COWE, we started with Entrepreneur Development Programs, we enlightened the women on how to set up and run and enterprise. We helped women to build a customer base, we started trade carnivals, where got stalls for women at highly subsidised rates and they got an opportunity to showcase their products and win customers. We conducted International Expos and several women had an opportunity to gain exposure, venture abroad and broaden their horizons. We help women farmers to increase their income, we set up day care centres for children of working women.
Ms. Sandhya Reddy, eminent speakers and entrepreneurs from abroad are attending, to enlighten us various aspects for being a successful entrepreneur.
Ms. Soudhamini P said, we educate and help women to avail Government schemes available for women entrepreneurs. We introduced ‘Zero effect and Zero defect’ scheme to ensure and enhance the quality of the products women entrepreneurs produce. We are replicating the successful models in other states for the benefit of women there.
Ms. Lalitha Aluri, National President, COWE; the Women’s International Summit on Entrepreneurship, will during the two days create awareness among women entrepreneurs about sustaining and emerging technologies and global opportunities in these and other entrepreneurial fields. This prestigious International conference is coinciding with the twenty glorious years of COWE. During the Conference we will have eight panel discussions on topics like e-vehicles, emerging technologies, rural to global, we are hosting a B2B with buyer seller matching, there will be 40 buyers including PSUs, Software and other big companies and 70 sellers participating. Over 108 women entrepreneurs will be felicitated for their accomplishments at the valedictory.
Ms. Neeraja Reddy, National Secretary-1, COWE, said, we allocated time from 9 am to 10 am for students to interact with the eminent speakers and gain insights, through a question and answer session.
Ms. Jyotsna Cheruvu, National Secretary-2, COWE; the emphasis today is on protection of environment, and this Conference will share valuable insights on energy conservation and sustainability among the entrepreneurs. This Conference is open for all entrepreneurs to attend. We are also laying thrust on digitising of SMEs, for data protection and related aspects. Also we are focusing on circular economy of reusing, recycling the materials, how to do these businesses. A discussion on how do startups grow beyond incubation is also part of the conference.
Usha Paliath, CEO, COWE, the unique aspect of the Conference is have the procurement teams from 40 companies like NMDC, Apollo Hospitals, BRAHMOS, Indian Army, Indian Railways. Entrepreneurs can showcase their products on 121 basis, also learn about their procurement processes and take it forward.
The event will feature 2 tracks. The conference track focuses on industry insights, while the dedicated B2B EXPO track is designed to facilitate direct business interactions and collaborations for attendees.
WISE 2025 features expert-led sessions covering essential growth areas for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), providing in-depth insights and strategies for business development. Building Digital Culture for SMEs will explore Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain technology, Robotics, and Data Security. The session will include insights from experts in cybersecurity, technology, and blockchain innovations. Sustainable Technologies & Global Opportunities will highlight Electric Mobility (E-Mobility), Renewable Energy sources, and Energy Efficiency. The session will feature experts discussing sustainable transportation, renewable power sources, and efficient energy usage. The Future of E-Mobility in India session will discuss industry standards, export potential, and women’s role in the sector, with insights from Mr. Tarun Agarwal (Maruti Suzuki), Dr. Shailendra Saroj (International Federation of Electric Vehicle Association), and Mr. Mohamed Omar Badran (GIZ, Germany). Gearing up SMEs for Global Supply Chains will focus on preparing businesses for market demands, ensuring compliance with regulations, and enhancing scalability for growth. The session will be led by Mr. Sudhakar Budaraju, a former Joint President of the Adani Group. Government Schemes & Digital India will provide insights into ONDC, TEAM, and GEM, featuring Mr. Kulkarni (FIEO) and Mr. Ravi Verma (GEM).
B2B Expo
WISE 2025 connects women entrepreneurs with Corporate & PSU procurement teams, supporting the Public Procurement Policy for MSEs, which mandates 3% procurement from women-owned businesses. The expo features structured B2B meetings that foster partnerships, investments, and collaborations. Additionally, it paves the way for sustainable business growth, innovative ventures, and strategic alliances that propel women entrepreneurs towards greater success. Participants gain direct access to corporate buyers, business growth opportunities, an exclusive listing in COWE’s B2B Directory, and capacity-building support through training programs on business development, leadership, and skilling. Participants also benefit from networking events and workshops tailored to their needs.
The Valedictory Session & Shakti Awards will conclude the second day with a grand celebration, honouring 108 successful women entrepreneurs from across India. This event will also mark 20 years of COWE’s impactful journey. The session will be inaugurated by Chief Guest Shri Tummala Nageswar Rao, Minister of Agriculture, Telangana, known for his unwavering support for women entrepreneurs, and graced by Guest of Honor Ms. Vijyalakshmi Gadwal, Mayor of GHMC, a key advocate for women’s empowerment initiatives. This event will recognize outstanding entrepreneurial achievements of women while celebrating two decades of empowering women in business.
The Press Conference was addressed by Board of Directors Ms. Shylaja Reddy; Ms. Suman Kumar; Ms. Uma Ghurka; Ms. Sandhya Reddy; Ms. Soudhamini P and Ms. Madhu Tyagi; National Managing Committee Members Ms. Lalitha Aluri, National President; Ms. Neeraja Reddy, National Secretary-1 and Ms. Jyotsna Cheruvu, National Secretary-2.
Strategic Partners & Sponsors
WISE 2025 is backed by esteemed organizations committed to fostering women’s entrepreneurship, including:
Gold Sponsor: State Bank of India (SBI)
Principal Partner: MyHome Constructions
Silver Sponsor: SIDBI
Associate Sponsors: Shriram Finance, Priyagold, NABARD, NMDC,
B2B Partners: Apollo Hospitals, NMDC (Navratna PSU), Care Hospitals, Indian Railways, Indian Army, Shriram School, Adept Mining, Karthikeya Pharmaceuticals, and more— Opening avenues for women entrepreneurs to access procurement opportunities and collaborations.
Featured Article
