Punjab Govt launches SHE Cohort 3.0 Supporting Tech-led Women Startups

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 16 January 2025

• SHE Cohort 3.0 launched by the Punjab Government
• SHE Cohort 3.0 supports & trains Tech-led Women Startups
• PSCST spearheads the SHE Cohort 3.0

The Punjab Government launched the SHE (Startups Handholding & Empowerment) Cohort 3.0 at Knowledge City in Mohali, aiming to support early-stage tech-led women startups. The initiative, spearheaded by the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology, aims to help them scale up their ventures. Around 300 students, startups, innovators, and researchers participated in the event.

Priyank Bharti, Secretary of Science, Technology, and Environment, Punjab, inaugurated an event showcasing SHE startups and GRIP innovators. He emphasized the Punjab government's commitment to fostering an inclusive ecosystem, urging female students to apply for the SHE 3.0 Cohort programme which nurtures tech-led women startups.

Mr. Priyank mentioned, "Twenty-five early women startups have been supported for scaling up their tech-based ventures and now the government is expanding the initiative to cater to female students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and small towns."

Anita Aggarwal, Head SSTP, DST, Government of India highlighted the commercial potential of tech-based innovations. Additionally, a panel discussion on nurturing tech-led startups, involving experts from leading incubators, institutions, and investment agencies was organized during the event.

The Punjab State Council for Science & Technology's SHE Cohort supports 25 tech-led women startups, providing mentorship, incubation support, funding, and intellectual property rights guidance. The initiative is expanding to female students from Tier II/III cities and small towns, and partners with incubators and ecosystem enablers to facilitate networking and learning opportunities.