The program is designed to offer practical learning through comprehensive training on financial management, digital tools, entrepreneurship fundamentals, and business planning. Participants will also benefit from tailored financial assistance and business support to confidently launch or expand their ventures. Ongoing mentorship will be provided by field executives who will monitor progress and offer customized advice to ensure long-term stability and success. Also, This initiative will connect women to relevant markets and facilitate access to government schemes, enabling them to explore broader opportunities. To simplify essential processes, the program offers assistance in securing business licenses, e-Shram cards, ABHA cards, and banking tools such as Aadhaar and PAN cards.

While speaking about the initiative, Shri. Sujay Kumar Yadav, MD & CEO at SBI Payments, said, “We are honored to be part of an initiative that uplifts and supports women entrepreneurs. This CSR initiative of ours is not just about providing resources, but it is about breaking barriers and achieving dreams. This collaboration with Spherule Foundation is a testament to our belief in fostering meaningful change in the society that we live in.”

Dr. Geeta Bora, Founder and Director of Spherule Foundation, expressed her excitement and said “This partnership with SBI Payments is a step towards transforming the entrepreneurial landscape for women in India. Through this project, we’re not only strengthening businesses but also creating pathways for brighter, more independent futures.”

A highlight of the initiative is the Business Presentation event, where participants will pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. This platform showcases entrepreneurial talent while providing opportunities for funding and expert guidance. The program aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on gender equality, quality education, poverty alleviation, and economic growth, aiming to create lasting community impact by fostering financial independence and resilience among women.

The Business Presentation event, where participants will present their ideas to a panel of experts, is a highlight of the program. Along with offering chances for finance and professional advice, this platform highlights the potential for entrepreneurship. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN on gender equality, high-quality education, poverty reduction, and economic growth, the program seeks to build women’s resilience and financial independence to make a long-lasting difference in society.

Spherule Foundation has a proven track record of driving social change in education, women’s empowerment, healthcare, and environmental conservation. With initiatives that have empowered over 50,000 women micro-entrepreneurs, their work has been recognized on prestigious global platforms, including Oxford University and IITs. SBI Payments, a leader in India’s digital payments ecosystem, complements this vision by fostering inclusivity, gender equality, and economic growth. Together, the two organizations are championing a shared mission to promote self-reliance among women entrepreneurs.

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Tally MSME Honours is an annual initiative to recognize businesses and entrepreneurs for their contribution to the economic advancement of the nation. The honors recognize and celebrate the diversity and the positive impact of MSMEs through their best practices at the grassroots level. A platform to reckon with which is also being supported by several renowned organizations, this year the initiative reached the length & breadth of the country and honored businesses from remote and smaller regions like Unnao, Agartala, Vapi, and Asansol amongst others. This is a true testament to MSME Honours being an inclusive recognition platform to ensure that the real impact makers across the tiers of cities, segments, and the unsung heroes driving the economy are celebrated. These honors are given out once a year on the occasion of International MSME Day and apply to all types of businesses with a turnover of fewer than 250 crores and a valid GSTIN.

Shubham Patil from Genesis Tech Engineers Pvt Ltd is honored in the ‘New Gen Icon’ category. The company specializes in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Piping) system design for a diverse range of industries, including semiconductor infrastructure, energy sector power plants, solar infrastructure, transportation, space, and chemical-oil-gas designs. Genesis Tech Engineers provides MEP design validations, ensuring compliance with engineering standards and local government policies. The company also offers comprehensive project management solutions, aiming to deliver projects within agreed timelines. Their Special Project R&D Department focuses on innovation and automation, tackling complex engineering challenges.

Kavita Chakraborty from Konnect Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd is honored in the ‘Wonder Woman’ category. The company delivers comprehensive financial services—bookkeeping, taxation, and payroll—primarily to the export sector. Utilizing both online and traditional sales channels, the firm has achieved steady growth, expanding its client base and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Celebrated across four zones (East, West, North, and South) of the country, the honors were given across 5 categories:

• Wonder Woman: Recognizing women who have overcome challenges to establish thriving businesses, inspiring others in the process.
• Business Maestro: Celebrating seasoned professionals whose expertise and resilience serve as guiding beacons for aspiring entrepreneurs, laying the groundwork for enduring success.
• New Gen Icon: Highlighting startups as dynamic leaders in the business landscape, pioneering fresh solutions to age-old challenges, and carving out new paths for growth.
• Tech Transformer: Honoring businesses at the forefront of technological advancement, leveraging digital tools to drive efficiency and effectiveness in their operations.
• Champion of Cause: Acknowledging champions who prioritize the global well-being of MSMEs, making significant contributions towards fostering a more sustainable and inclusive business environment.

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Social media has become an integral part of the way we connect, communicate, and collaborate with audiences. As it grows, the content creation has expanded and everyone is in the race to earn a significant following. ‘Influencer’ is the term we use to refer to someone on digital platforms who is driving a new wave of content creation. They are a sort of internet celebrity.

As these creators gain millions of followers, digital marketing opens up new and natural routes. As a result, influencer marketing has become increasingly popular.

Influencer marketing is a powerful strategy that can amplify your brand’s presence and engagement. Statistically speaking, 78% of marketers concluded that influencer marketing effectively increases brand awareness. Moreover, 41% of online audiences buy products after getting a review from an influencer weekly. So, there are higher chances of attracting potential audiences and converting them into potential buyers through influencer marketing.

Today, social media platforms—Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook—are more than an office space for any business. From real estate developers to e-commerce portals, these applications enable brands to engage with their audience and make real-time connections. Influencers have extensive knowledge in different niches and the talent for telling great stories. They not only bring about high levels of interactions but as well influence consumer behavior and buying choices. However, it’s not just one way around the corner.

The brand needs to formulate a robust marketing strategy that aligns with the influencer and products or awareness it wants to convey across digital platforms. Strategies vary depending on geography, industry, and target audiences. Hence, conducting research before creating an influential marketing strategy is essential

Here is a five-step-by-step guide recommended to others before creating an influential marketing strategy.

1. Identifying the Right Influencers

A successful influencer marketing campaign begins with identifying and choosing suitable influencers to work with. Selecting the right match requires a deep dive into your target audience, their preferred social media channels, and the most influential people among them.

Some of the aspects to look at when selecting an influencer include relevance, audience size and engagement rate, authenticity, credibility and how well they resonate with your brand’s values.

As a marketer, it’s important to invest enough time in choosing the best-fit influencers who will ensure that your campaign speaks to your intended audience and drives real results.

2. Strategic Influencer Campaign Planning and Execution

Successful influencer marketing campaigns should be guided by well-thought-out strategies formulated in line with overall marketing objectives. Specific goals for campaigns like enhancing customer engagement, increasing brand awareness, or driving sales ought to be outlined clearly.

More so, a content plan that clearly states what type of content will be developed, along with messaging and cadence, within the campaign period is necessary.

Strategic campaign planning and execution will help maximize the impact of your influencer marketing initiatives.

3. Ongoing Relationship Management

Maintaining strong relationships with your influencer partners is essential for the long-term success of your influencer marketing initiatives.

This involves regular communication, providing clear briefs and guidelines, and offering support and resources to ensure that the influencers can effectively represent your brand.

Additionally, it is important to foster a collaborative environment where influencers feel empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and creative ideas. By nurturing these relationships, you can build a network of trusted brand advocates who can help you reach and engage your target audience more effectively.

4. Measure Performance and Optimize

Effective influencer marketing campaigns require robust performance measurement and optimization strategies. This involves tracking key metrics such as reach, engagement, conversion rates, and return on investment (ROI).

By analyzing these metrics, you can gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of your campaign and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, it is important to continuously test and optimize your campaign elements, such as the content, messaging, and influencer

selections, to ensure that your efforts are driving the desired results.

By adopting a data-driven approach to performance measurement and optimization, you can refine your influencer marketing strategy and maximize the impact of your campaigns.

5. Engagement and Community Building

Influencer marketing is not just about leveraging the reach and credibility of individual influencers; it is also about fostering a sense of community and engaging your target audience. This can be achieved by encouraging influencers to interact with their followers, respond to comments, and foster meaningful conversations.

Additionally, you can leverage user-generated content (UGC) and encourage your audience to share their experiences with your brand, further enhancing the authenticity and trust in your influencer marketing efforts.

By prioritizing engagement and community building, you can create a more loyal and engaged customer base that is more likely to advocate for your brand.

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The incubator has empowered businesses with a robust support structure through its extensive incubation programs. To date, seed fund support of Rs 5.41 Crores has been provided from various government schemes. Besides financial support, access to cutting-edge software, prototype aid, certification guidance, legal and intellectual property support, mentorship from a respected panel of experts, cutting-edge infrastructure, and critical networking opportunities are all part of the package.

AIC-Pinnacle-backed startups have raised around Rs. 30 crores in funding from various sources such as angel investors, awards, and challenges. These investors have given 30 firms a total market worth of over Rs 300 crores, with the largest startup valued at Rs 40 crore. AIC Pinnacle has raised significant funds for businesses by forming strategic connections with Angel Investors, Venture Capital firms, and financial institutions.

Expressing his views, Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Chairman of Pinnacle Industries & EKA and Founder of AIC-Pinnacle Entrepreneurship Forum, said, “We are proud to witness the incredible success of our incubated startups as they collectively cross the 300-crore valuation mark. This milestone is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and ingenuity of Indian entrepreneurs we support. AIC-Pinnacle remains committed to fostering innovation and nurturing the next generation of industry leaders in India.“

The significance of AIC-Pinnacle goes far beyond financial assistance. The incubator and its startups have generated 35+ Intellectual Property Rights applications, over 250 jobs, and a lively community of 15,000 people in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Furthermore, some startups have garnered significant national and international prizes, demonstrating their ability to innovate.

AIC-Pinnacle’s success story is about more than just wealth creation; it’s about turning ideas into significant companies, fostering innovation, and changing the future of entrepreneurship in India. As AIC-Pinnacle continues to support startups, it confirms its commitment to driving the nation’s innovation environment ahead.

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PUNE: The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Pune Chapter has been awarded the Best Chapter Award in Category B at the TiE Global Charter Members program held in Rio de Janeiro. TiE Pune is a not-for-profit venture fostering entrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, education, funding, and incubation. The winners were selected from TiE chapters of 61 cities across 14 countries.

TiE Pune has 71 Charter Members and a vibrant ecosystem that is the work of charter members. The Pune chapter started in 2007 and has been fostering entrepreneurship through various programs designed to cater to almost every segment and line of business. Every year, TiE Pune through its various programs impacts nearly 5000 entrepreneurs.

Vineet Patni, President Pune chapter, said, “This award is a feather in the cap for all our Charter Members who have worked tirelessly over the years to give back and support entrepreneurs, it is just the beginning. We are committed to making Pune a city of choice for entrepreneurs and continue to position Pune as the innovation capital of India.“

Vivek Gupta, Chair of Public Relations and Charter Member at TiE Pune, said that TiE Pune has been carrying out multiple activities and initiatives to encourage young entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs from smaller towns, and collaborating with other chapters worldwide to help new entrepreneurs learn, grow and scale up. The recent award is a testimony to our commitment to contributing to the startup ecosystem in Pune and Maharashtra.

Pune has the potential to become the innovation capital of India. With a well-established startup ecosystem, talent pool, growing culture of innovation in educational institutes and companies, continuing infrastructure upgrades, world-class organizations and companies providing solutions to the world, Pune has the potential to become the innovation capital of India according to Mr. Vineet Patni, President TiE Pune.

TiE Pune has been running various programs for women entrepreneurs to enable them to build their own businesses and create more jobs. TiE women’s global pitch competition Pune round will be held in August to help showcase their innovative business ideas and gain valuable exposure to investors, industry experts, and mentors. Women in Entrepreneurship is not only gaining momentum, but they are also excelling in almost every domain and building business faster.

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Under the Indian Presidency, the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) has identified  Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a key priority area. In line with this vision, 12 initiatives from the Digital India Flagship Programme have been selected to showcase best practices in implementing DPIs. The exhibition will provide an immersive experience, enabling visitors to explore Global DPI repositories and gain insights for the betterment of the global community.  Notable initiatives include Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, Soil Health Card, eNAM, Digital India UMANG, eSanjeevani, DIKSHA, BHASHINI, ONDC, DIGIT- eGov Foundation, and DigiYatra.

Tagbin’s dedicated team of professionals is leveraging a wide range of interactive technologies to create a seamless and engaging experience for attendees. Through the use of Anamorphic Videos, VR setups, and other innovative displays, Tagbin aims to capture the essence of each initiative, moving beyond traditional exhibition motifs. Their goal is to ensure that the process of navigating a website becomes an immersive journey, leaving a lasting impact on visitors’ minds.

Sharing his viewpoint on the significance of the exhibition, Saurav Bhaik, Founder and CEO of Tagbin stated, “This Summit presents a remarkable opportunity for India to showcase their DPIs and establish themselves as reliable partners within the Global DPI ecosystem. Amid this, we are honored to bring India’s digital strength to the forefront.” He further added, “Our Experience Centre in Lucknow was just the beginning of this journey. Having grown and refined our approach since then, we are now prepared to deliver something much bigger and better.“

The Global DPI Exhibition expects to welcome esteemed delegates from G20 countries and distinguished guests from around the globe. With meticulous attention to detail, Tagbin is leaving no stone unturned to ensure an unforgettable and impactful experience for all attendees.

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As part of this collaboration, NSDC will support HDFC Life in inducting trained life insurance advisors and strengthening the last-mile reach. The partnership will provide training to candidates undergoing the IC38 examination conducted by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and drive skill enhancement. Further, by imparting soft skills, this collaboration will facilitate opportunities for the youth to explore self-employment prospects for sustainable livelihood. The candidates will be trained in soft skills that will groom them professionally thus enabling them to connect better with prospective customers.

On this occasion, Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, of NSDC, and MD, of NSDC International, said, “NSDC endeavors to create a sustainable and enabling skill ecosystem. This partnership with HDFC Life is an important step to strengthen the existing talent and upskill them in the insurance sector, as per the market requirements. Our focus on skilling and upskilling India’s youth will not only empower its workforce but will also create new booming sectors in the economy. This partnership envisions huge growth potential for both organizations and will serve as a great opportunity for the potential candidates to become job providers from job seekers.”

Speaking on the collaboration, Suresh Badami – Deputy Managing Director, HDFC Life said, “We are delighted to partner with NSDC and do our part in supporting the Skill India Mission. India is poised for growth as a large number of young Indians are entering the workforce. Our partnership with NSDC will aim to impart skills and give an opportunity to individuals enabling them to build their livelihood. Our strong learning and development platform is designed to equip individuals with a diverse set of skills. These individuals will in turn play a key role in enhancing the reach of life insurance in the country.”

This partnership intends to facilitate livelihood creation and promotion of entrepreneurship opportunities for financial and social inclusion. In addition, to create wider awareness about the program under this collaboration, NSDC, and HDFC Life will organize various digital and on-ground initiatives.

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PUNE: Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) has launched its program to build the capacity of women entrepreneurs (WEs) to access finance and strengthen their enterprises. In October 2022, GAME formally signed an MOU with NRLM to launch a Women Entrepreneur Empowerment Program in 3 States of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan to support over 10,000 women entrepreneurs with access to credit across 15 districts in the 3 states.

The program will be initially supported by strengthening National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) architecture through capacity building and augmentation, training existing field cadres called Vitta Sakhis. The program also entails supplementing the existing NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission) training protocol and using it to train 3000 Vitta Sakhis, who will support potential entrepreneurs from among women SHG members to take up viable business enterprises.

The trained Vittal Sakhis will review compliance and eligibility of NRLM and SRLM (State Rural Livelihood Mission) identified women entrepreneurs. They will also mentor and help develop business plans to formalize their enterprise, as well as secure financial linkages. This program will also enlarge the narrative to establish a comprehensive onboarding process for financial institutions such as Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks to unlock formal credit for the identified women entrepreneurs in rural areas.

GAME has collaborated with Haqdarshak to roll out this program in the 3 States. The collaboration is for a year and aims to link 10,000 women entrepreneurs with format credit.

Madan Padaki, Co-founder, of GAME said, “Our mission is to build a mass entrepreneurship movement that focuses on women specifically through a series of focused interventions and ecosystem support. Our MoU with NRLM in three states seeks to create a local ecosystem that supports women, by addressing issues with access to financing and assisting in realizing maximum growth potential. With this initiative, we intend to co-create a model that can be used across the country, while also learning quickly with all of our partners”.

Nita Kejrewal, Joint Secretary (RL), DAY-NRLM said, “The ability of women entrepreneurs (WEs) to obtain formal credit and strengthen their businesses must be improved in order to inspire and drive more women on the path of entrepreneurship. Through our enterprise finance initiative in partnership with GAME, we will assist 10,000 women entrepreneurs with formal financing, show them how to apply for formal credit, avail of the benefits of various government programs, and persuade them to adopt digital tools for expanding their businesses. We hope to encourage more women to start their own businesses, support those who are already doing so, and foster a larger ecosystem for women entrepreneurship to thrive.”

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MUMBAI: Aegon Life, Digital India’s life insurance company, has partnered with Sugmya Finance, an NBFC providing financial support to women entrepreneurs in India’s semi-urban and rural areas, to offer life insurance cover to all borrowers and co-borrowers. This partnership will empower entrepreneurs across nine regions, including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. The alliance is a significant step in Aegon Life’s vision to make every household financially secure by making insurance easy and accessible to all.

Aegon Life and Sugmya Finance will offer a life cover to all borrowers and co-borrowers of MSME Loans and Micro Loans. The loan can be applied for online, via an app, and also through physical branches of Sugmya.

Satishwar B., MD, and CEO of Aegon Life Insurance said, “We are glad to announce our strategic alliance with Sugmya Finance, which has paved the way for a self-reliant Bharat through women-led development initiatives. According to a NASSCOM report, the percentage of women-led startups in India has increased from 8 percent in 2014 to 13 percent in 2019¹. However, a large part of this population does not have an insurance safety net. These women in India contribute to the transformation of their communities and the lives of their families through entrepreneurship, but they are still a largely uninsured segment. This ‘loan+life insurance’ offering will protect these women and their families from any financial loss or instability in case of any unfortunate incident.“

“Aegon Life and Sugmya Finance use a common set of digital operations that enables a cashless and paperless approach that makes onboarding effortless for the customer,” he added.

Vikas Singh, Director & Co-Founder of Sugmya Finance Pvt Ltd, said, “At Sugmya, we empower women entrepreneurs. Most of our customers approach us with the goal of saving money for their children’s education, taking on more financial responsibility for their families, and developing a natural sense of achievement. This collaboration with Aegon Life will further strengthen our offerings. Aegon Life’s insurance plan included in our loans will empower women, making them self-sufficient. An Atmanirbhar Bharat for India cannot exist without Atmanirbhar women.“

Aegon Life is committed to tackling the insurance difficulties faced by underserved and underpenetrated consumer segments in India.

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Before the advent of the Internet and social media, the scope of our actions was severely limited by the location we were in, and connection with everything else in the world was only theoretical. Nowadays, with the new media and communication tools fostered by globalization, a small gesture made on the screen of a smartphone or tablet can change the destinies of thousands of people living thousands of miles away, as if it were a kind of 2.0 butterfly effect.

All this also closely affects businesses and brands in every corner of the world, which increasingly have to contend with new ways of approaching customers and a new way of conceiving the existing relationship between the company and its end consumer.

The latter, in most cases, spends a large part of its days in front of the cell phone screen, absorbed in the contemplation of content that mostly does not serve it, and which is almost always punctually ignored.

The places of communication

The real challenge, for those involved in communication and marketing in these complex times, lies precisely in this, namely in the ability to create relevant content that knows how to stop the user’s attention, if only for a few moments, concentrating it on a very specific point.

In addition to content-which still representing the main weapon available to companies to attract their consumers-but brands should also focus, however, on the virtual space that hosts it, on the platform chosen for its conveyance and dissemination.

In fact, with the advent of social networks, there seems to be a widespread belief that most online advertising messages nowadays should be published and disseminated through these modern communication channels, which, moreover, differ from each other in a multitude of technical and structural features.

The place of dissemination of the communication message is decisive, even crucial to its success. But this dissemination does not necessarily have to be initiated only on social media, because nowadays the network is able to offer an impressive variety of virtual spaces where different kinds of content can be created, published, and disseminated, allowing the public to access them quickly and without complications.

Among the most interesting virtual spaces are certainly those occupied by Apps, which over the past decade have managed to attract huge amounts of traffic and advertising investment. In just eight years, total global App revenues could even increase tenfold: they would rise from $97 billion in 2014 to an estimated $935 billion by 2023, according to some recent estimates.

Any brand should equip itself with an app, since the future of communication and advertising investment could lie right there, within those little programs that we install every day on our devices, often without even using them, and that in the future could become all intents and purposes extremely powerful media, capable of attracting large volumes of users and hosting full-fledged e-commerce, giving everyone the opportunity to complete purchases in total security.

A single virtual space

What matters most nowadays is that brands are able to concentrate all their main digital services within a single, well-equipped virtual platform, App, or website, thus facilitating the customer experience and avoiding dangerous dispersion. By finding everything they need in one place, users will also feel incentivized to learn more about the brand and take a look at its history, services, and products that are offered online, perhaps ending up buying some of them.

Among the sectors that have most brilliantly completed the transition from the physical to the digital worlds, it is absolutely necessary to mention online gambling, which continues to offer absolutely thrilling gaming experiences that are in no way inferior to those experienced in traditional casinos.

Within these portals, in addition to a vast catalog of free blackjack, slot machines, and other casino games, users will be able to find guides and very useful reviews focusing on the different features of the games, the redemption of bonuses, and the most entertaining game modes, capable of satisfying any kind of need. With an offer of this magnitude, every user will be able to quickly find the game that best suits his or her needs, then indulges in this fun without thinking about anything. The places of digitization are almost infinite. All that remains for us, proudly holding our smartphones, is to lower our eyes to the bright screen and be inspired, day after day

Image Credit: https://pxhere.com/it/photo/1063277

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