In celebration of International Women's Day 2024, Medicircle hosted a thought-provoking webinar featuring remarkable female entrepreneurs sharing their journeys, challenges, and triumphs. Led by co-founder Smita Kumar, the webinar shed light on the systemic barriers faced by women in entrepreneurship and highlighted the need for greater gender equality and inclusion in all spheres of life.
Empowering Through Inclusion: Ms. Smita Kumar kicked off the conversation by highlighting the importance of inspiring inclusion, citing staggering statistics that underline the disparities faced by women entrepreneurs. Despite comprising nearly 20% of enterprises in India, women-led businesses received only about 2.3% of venture funding in 2020. This glaring gap in funding underlines the urgent need to address gender bias and create a level playing field for women in entrepreneurship.
Overcoming Challenges
Vandana Teji, Founder of The Unicorn People, shared her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the transition from being an employee to an employer. With an all-women team, Vandana navigated challenges, including financial instability and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing resistance from some startups and family-owned businesses, Vandana remained steadfast in her commitment to providing HR partner solutions, highlighting the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.
Harnessing Potential
Ranjeeta Vinil, Founder of Saarathi Healthcare, recounted her journey from corporate success to entrepreneurship, overcoming breast cancer and societal expectations along the way. With a mission to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector, Ranjeeta launched Saarathi Healthcare, focusing on disease management and patient care. Despite facing gender bias and misconceptions about her role, Ranjeeta persevered, breaking even in the first month and carving a niche in the medical technology space.
Driving Innovation
Mythreyi Kondapi, Co-Founder of Startoon Labs, shared her journey as a researcher-turned-entrepreneur, driven by a passion for creating impact in the medical technology sector. Despite facing challenges in marketing and sales, Mythreyi and her husband embarked on a journey to build world-class products in India. Their focus on addressing neglected areas in medical technology, such as joint and muscle health, highlights the transformative potential of innovation and perseverance in entrepreneurship.
Navigating Bias
Sonia Kulkarni, Managing Partner at Hunk Golden and Media, reflected on her experience navigating gender bias and discrimination in the corporate world. Despite facing challenges and stereotypes, Sonia refused to be side-lined, carving a path for herself as a leader in the media industry. Her resilience in the face of adversity serves as a testament to the strength and determination of women to overcome barriers and drive change.
Building Bridges
Dr. Neha Gupta, Founder of Health Equate, shared her experiences as a physiotherapist and healer, highlighting the challenges of navigating professional boundaries in a male-dominated industry. Despite encountering resistance and bias, Dr. Neha remains committed to her mission of empowering women and breaking down barriers in healthcare. Her dedication to ethical practice and professional integrity serve as an inspiration to women everywhere.
Inspiring Change, Empowering Women:
As the webinar concluded, it became evident that the journey of female entrepreneurs is marked by resilience, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Despite facing systemic barriers and gender bias, these women have defied expectations, shattered stereotypes, and paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable future. As we celebrate International Women's Day, let us draw inspiration from their stories and commit to creating a world where women can thrive, innovate, and lead with confidence.
For the complete webinar experience, tune in to Medicircle's YouTube channel. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more such interesting and informative content and daily updates on health and wellness