Under its Award to Reward initiative, WEP collaborates with over 30 public and private sector partners to develop scalable programs that empower women. EmpowHER Biz marks its largest Award to Reward initiative, reflecting WEP’s commitment to fostering impactful collaborations.
In a significant move to promote women entrepreneurship, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) of NITI Aayog has partnered with New Shop, India’s largest 24/7 convenience retail chain, to launch EmpowHER Biz – Sapno Ki Udaan. This initiative aims to equip aspiring women entrepreneurs with essential skills and resources to excel in the organised retail sector.
The programme, launched under WEP’s Award to Reward (ATR) initiative, focuses on addressing critical barriers faced by women in business. These include access to financing, credible networks, mentorship, and comprehensive training. Through EmpowHER Biz, WEP and New Shop aim to create a robust ecosystem that fosters women-led businesses and accelerates growth in the retail sector.
A Comprehensive Empowerment Program
EmpowHER Biz offers a tailored mentorship and training program, covering areas such as retail management, digital tools, financial literacy, and business development. It will identify and train 50 women participants aged 18–35, selected through an online application process. These participants will come from Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
The top 20 candidates will receive a full waiver on New Shop franchise fees, significantly lowering the entry barrier for women to own and operate retail businesses. This model empowers women to build sustainable businesses while benefiting from the extensive support provided by the New Shop franchising ecosystem.
Bridging the Gender Gap in Retail
Speaking about the initiative, Ms. Anna Roy, Principal Economic Adviser, NITI Aayog, and Mission Director of WEP, emphasised the importance of overcoming societal and systemic challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.
“EmpowHER Biz is our largest Award to Reward (ATR) collaboration to date. Aspiring women entrepreneurs often face multiple challenges, including societal biases and limited access to financing and mentorship. Through this partnership with New Shop, we aim to help women overcome these obstacles and build a strong foundation for their entrepreneurial journey,” Ms. Roy stated.
Echoing this sentiment, Aastha Almast, Co-founder of New Shop, highlighted the company’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs. “New Shop is committed to empowering young and first-time entrepreneurs in the retail sector. Through this collaboration with WEP, we aim to democratise retail ownership and create a lasting impact on the entrepreneurial journeys of these women,” she said.
Scaling Impact: WEP and New Shop’s Vision
Since its inception in 2018, WEP has been instrumental in promoting women entrepreneurship by acting as an aggregator platform. Transitioning to a public-private partnership in 2022, WEP provides a continuum of support across key areas such as access to finance, market linkages, training, mentoring, compliance assistance, and business development.
Under its Award to Reward initiative, WEP collaborates with over 30 public and private sector partners to develop scalable programs that empower women. EmpowHER Biz marks its largest ATR initiative, reflecting WEP’s commitment to fostering impactful collaborations.
New Shop, which operates over 200 convenience retail stores across 35 cities in 18 states, is equally ambitious. The company aims to empower 10,000 entrepreneurs by 2030 through its expanding franchising model. With a presence in high-density neighbourhoods, highways, gas stations, and plans to expand to transit hubs such as airports and railway stations, New Shop’s ecosystem offers a solid platform for budding entrepreneurs.
Empowering the Future
EmpowHER Biz represents a transformative opportunity for women entrepreneurs in retail. By providing training, mentorship, and financial support, the initiative bridges gaps that have traditionally hindered women’s participation in organised retail.
As India moves towards a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, collaborations like EmpowHER Biz highlight the potential of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Empowering women to own and operate businesses is not just a step forward for gender equality but also a boost to India’s growing retail sector.
This initiative marks a promising step toward democratising retail ownership and creating a future where women entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in shaping the industry.
