The government is promoting entrepreneurship among women through various initiatives

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in collaboration withhas sent a group of Indian women tech entrepreneurs, between 13 April to 17 April 2015, to Silicon Valley in the US.

The initiative was taken to help the women tech entrepreneurs understand the entrepreneurial culture there. The six entrepreneurs were shortlisted and selected by DST and Anita Borg Institute through the Annual Women Entrepreneur's Quest Program. An amount of Rs. 28.31 lakhs was earmarked for this program.

The Government has taken many steps to promote entrepreneurship among women. The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has been implementing Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) Scheme for women.

The scheme envisages economic empowerment exclusively of women through trade related training, information and counseling extension activities related to trades, products, and services.

Under the Scheme, nationalised banks are providing financial loans at the rate of 30 per cent of the loan and the Government of India is offering grants. The maximum limit of Rs.30.00 lakh has been set through NGOs for capacity building and for undertaking self-employment ventures by women in non-farm activities.

The DST also supports organisations to conduct Women Entrepreneurship Development Program (WEDP) aimed at building capacity of women with science and technology background in the area of entrepreneurship.

End