GS 10000 Women Cohort 10

About this scheme

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women is a global initiative dedicated to fostering economic growth by empowering women entrepreneurs worldwide. Through this program, Goldman Sachs aims to address the critical need for comprehensive business education and support for women-led businesses, enabling them to scale, create jobs, and contribute significantly to their local and global economies. Since its inception in 2008, the India edition of this program has successfully supported over 4,100 women-led businesses, demonstrating a tangible track record of impact and development within the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program is delivered in collaboration with India's premier management institutions, including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Lucknow, ensuring a high standard of academic rigor and practical relevance.

This program operates as a Fellowship, offering fully-funded business education to its participants, with all tuition costs covered by Goldman Sachs. The program is explicitly designed as an educational and mentorship initiative, meaning it does not include any cash grants or an equity component. The core value proposition for founders lies in the comprehensive business education, personalized mentorship, and invaluable lifelong access to an extensive global alumni network. Participants should note that while tuition is covered, travel, lodging, and other related expenses associated with attending the modules are the responsibility of the individual.

The curriculum is rigorously structured to enhance strategic, financial, and operational capabilities through three intensive in-person residential modules, collectively encompassing more than 100 hours of focused learning, diving deep into key areas such as entrepreneurial leadership, effective strategies for sustainable growth, innovation methodologies, strategic marketing, advanced financial management, operational improvement techniques, and essential team building skills. Beyond the academic content, the program provides personalized mentorship from a diverse pool of industry leaders, experienced investors, and seasoned entrepreneurs, ensuring practical guidance. This is further complemented by access to a vibrant global community of women entrepreneurs, fostering peer learning and collaborative growth.

Who can apply

• Applicants must be established women entrepreneurs who serve as the primary decision-maker in their business. This criterion ensures that the program supports individuals who have direct control over their venture's strategic direction and can fully implement the learnings. The applicant must be an owner or co-owner of the venture, reinforcing their commitment and stake in the business's success.
• The business is required to have an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 30 lakhs. This threshold is set to identify businesses that have achieved a certain level of market validation and operational stability, indicating they are beyond the nascent idea stage and poised for significant growth through structured education. Similarly, the business must have been operational for a minimum of one year to ensure a foundational understanding of business operations and challenges that can be addressed by the curriculum. A minimum of three employees must be on the business's payroll, signifying a capacity for team management and further job creation, which aligns with the program's broader economic empowerment goals.
• Previous graduates of any Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme are not eligible to apply. This ensures that the opportunity is extended to new entrepreneurs, broadening the program's reach and impact. The program is inclusive, open to women entrepreneurs from all industries and sectors across India, encouraging a diverse cohort and broad applicability of the business education provided.

Eligible entity types: Private Limited, LLP, Partnership, Proprietorship

Benefits & funding

• The program provides fully-funded access to world-class business education from premier IIMs.
• Benefits include personalized mentorship from industry leaders, investors, and seasoned entrepreneurs, along with lifelong access to an extensive global alumni community for networking opportunities.
• An additional free supplementary online curriculum is available on Coursera.

Frequently asked questions