FKCCI Initiative to Boost Women-led Entrepreneurship in K'taka

By: WE Staff | Monday, 27 October 2025

• FKCCI pushes major support for women entrepreneurs under President Uma Reddy
• International Women's Entrepreneurship Conference on November 19
• New Digital Platform to be introduced to link Youth Skills with Employment

The Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has launched a comprehensive initiative to promote women-led entrepreneurship across the state. FKCCI president Uma Reddy is spearheading the effort, the first woman to take the helm of the 108-year-old industry body.

Speaking in Madikeri, Uma Reddy said women are rapidly emerging as strong business partners in Karnataka’s MSME landscape. As part of the chamber’s new initiatives, FKCCI will host an International Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference on November 19 in Bengaluru. The event will feature global entrepreneurs, mentors, and policymakers, spotlighting opportunities in tourism, culture, and creative sectors. She noted that the conference aims to inspire young women and connect them with knowledge and markets.

Karnataka currently has 7.4 lakh entrepreneurs, with women forming a growing share of this figure, particularly in small-scale industries. FKCCI has set a goal of increasing the total number of entrepreneurs to 10 lakh in the coming years.

To support this growth, FKCCI has urged the government to reserve 30 percent of land and workspaces in upcoming industrial parks for women entrepreneurs, overcoming infrastructure access challenges that frequently hold women back. Uma Reddy stressed that poor road conditions and logistics hurdles continue to hurt industries in many regions, including Bengaluru. FKCCI will push for improved infrastructure to align local capabilities with global standards.

The chamber is also working on a dedicated digital platform to bridge skills with employment opportunities, especially for youth. Uma Reddy said international alliances would be critical to positioning Karnataka as both a competitive investment destination and a major tourism hub.