In Chennai, a new women-focused entrepreneurship programme was launched with the goal of nurturing business ideas and helping women across Tamil Nadu turn them into real ventures. The initiative, called EmpowHer 1.0, was introduced by StartupTN in collaboration with the state government-backed TNWeSafe project. It aimed to reach more than 6,000 aspiring women entrepreneurs over the coming year.
The launch event took place at Ethiraj College for Women, where a two-day bootcamp kicked off with about 160 participants drawn from districts including Chennai, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur. During the sessions, women received training on refining business ideas, building structured plans, pitching to investors and strengthening leadership skills.
Organisers said the first cohort was designed not just to teach technical business skills but also to build confidence and help participants think like entrepreneurs. Mentorship support and a roadmap for continued business development were promised after the initial bootcamp.
At the same event, a Campus Circle agreement was signed between StartupTN and the college to promote entrepreneurship on campus, and a dedicated pre-incubation centre was opened to support early-stage ideas.
The EmpowHer 1.0 initiative was seen as part of a broader push by the Tamil Nadu government to expand opportunities for women in business, offering skills, networks and guidance that could help more female founders succeed in competitive markets.
