TiE Women , Pune Chapter

• Women founders in Maharashtra at any stage seeking mentorship and acceleration.

About this scheme

TiE Pune's Women , Pune Chapter program is a comprehensive platform designed specifically for women founders, offering a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and scale their ventures. TiE Global, the parent organization, is a globally recognized non-profit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship, operating through 58 chapters in 12 countries. Its mission is to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing a robust framework of mentoring, networking, education, incubation support, and access to funding. The Pune chapter actively contributes to this global mandate by strengthening the local startup ecosystem in Maharashtra and specifically supporting diverse entrepreneurial talent, with a keen focus on empowering women-led businesses. This program is thoughtfully structured to move beyond traditional pitch events, creating a truly supportive environment where founders can openly discuss their business challenges, refine strategies, and gain practical insights from experienced mentors and peers. The emphasis is on deep learning and collaborative problem-solving, fostering genuine growth rather than just competition.

Participants in the TiE Women , Pune Chapter program have the opportunity to secure significant equity-free cash prizes. These non-dilutive funds can amount to up to Rs. 4,500,000 (approximately $50,000 USD), allowing founders to retain full ownership of their companies while receiving crucial financial support to accelerate their growth and scale their ventures effectively. This prize money is awarded to help cover operational costs, invest in product development, expand market reach, or hire key talent, providing a critical boost without compromising equity.

Beyond monetary awards, the program offers substantial non-monetary support, which is often more critical for early-stage startups than capital alone. Founders gain invaluable access to TiE's extensive network of experienced mentors who provide honest, constructive guidance across various business functions, from strategy and product development to marketing and fundraising. They also connect with potential investors who can offer future funding opportunities, broadening their access to capital. The platform actively facilitates peer-to-peer learning through workshops and collaborative sessions, helping founders refine their business thinking, validate ideas, and tackle common startup hurdles. Furthermore, participation provides access to TiE's global network, opening doors for international collaboration, market expansion, and scaling pathways. This allows participating startups to transcend local boundaries and expand their reach from Pune to wider Asian and global markets, positioning them for international success.

Who can apply

• The program is exclusively open to women founders. This criterion is central to TiE Women's mission of bridging the gender gap in entrepreneurship and providing targeted support to increase the representation and success of women-led businesses in the startup ecosystem.
• Applicants must hold at least 33% equity in their startup. This ensures that the program directly benefits ventures where women founders have substantial ownership and decision-making power, aligning with the goal of empowering women entrepreneurs.
• Startups must be categorized as early-stage ventures. The program is designed to provide maximum impact to companies that are past the ideation phase but still require significant guidance and resources to establish market fit, scale operations, and secure further investment. This includes startups at the idea, MVP (Minimum Viable Product), or early revenue stages.
• The program is primarily targeted at startups operating in Pune, Maharashtra, with opportunities for expansion to wider Asian and global markets. While the immediate focus is on strengthening the entrepreneurial landscape within Pune, the program's global network is leveraged to help promising local startups achieve broader market access.

Benefits & funding

• Equity-free cash prizes up to Rs.
• 4,500,000 ($50,000 USD).
• Participants receive extensive mentorship, networking opportunities with potential investors, and peer-to-peer learning via workshops.
• Benefits also include incubation support, education, and access to TiE's global network for international collaboration and market expansion.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with TiE Pune, in your own name.

1. 1

   The process involves an initial application submission, including a business plan or pitch deck.

2. 2

   This is followed by an initial screening by experts.

3. 3

   Shortlisted candidates are then invited for a series of interviews, with final selections based on business scalability, market potential, innovation, and team strength.

Frequently asked questions