WE Hub, India\u2019s first state-led incubator for women entrepreneurs, celebrated the graduation of the inaugural cohort of its flagship student initiative, WE Enable. The programme, aimed at fostering entrepreneurial and leadership skills among women students from government and private colleges across Telangana, marked a significant milestone as 600 young women completed the six-month journey.<\/p>\n
Congratulating the graduates while delivering the chief guest address, the Minister for IT, Industries & Commerce, Telangana, D. Sridhar Babu, said, \u201cYoung women are not just learners\u2014they are problem-solvers and changemakers. I urge every young woman to ask herself, \u2018Why can\u2019t I become a role model?\u2019 WE Hub 2.0 is enabling women to scale their aspirations and enterprises, building a strong, future-ready innovation ecosystem in Telangana. As we envision \u2018Telangana Rising 2027,\u2019 the government is committed to shaping a $3 trillion economy by 2047\u2014with women\u2019s empowerment at the core of this journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Telangana government has decided to establish exclusive Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) parks for women in every Assembly constituency as part of a long-term strategy to promote women\u2019s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. He underlined that women\u2019s empowerment must begin within the family and translate into active participation in economic and social life. \u201cThere is a visible change in social attitudes towards women across Telangana, which signals a deeper shift in societal thinking,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Citing official data, Sridhar Babu stated that Telangana\u2019s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) stands at 52.7 per cent, significantly higher than the national average of 45.2 per cent. He noted that women\u2019s workforce participation in the state has increased sharply from 22 per cent in 2017\u201318 to 40.3 per cent in 2023\u201324, reflecting better access to employment and enterprise opportunities.<\/p>\n
The minister credited WE Hub with playing a pioneering role in nurturing women entrepreneurs and said the proposed WE Hub 2.0 initiative would focus on building globally competitive women-led enterprises. He said the government is creating an integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem to enable women to access skilling, technology, finance, markets and mentorship under one framework.<\/p>\n
Priyanka Dutt, noted film producer and entrepreneur, and Jwala Gutta, Olympian and founder of the Global Academy for Badminton, shared their personal stories of perseverance and leadership. Their words encouraged students to dream beyond boundaries and redefine success on their own terms.<\/p>\n
Over the past six months, WE Enable has gone beyond traditional learning. Students engaged in industry immersions, mentorship programmes and skill-based training, gaining exposure to real-world challenges and opportunities. The initiative created a platform for young women to transform ideas into impactful solutions, positioning them as future leaders and innovators.<\/p>\n
The success of the programme was made possible through collaborations with leading organisations, including Micron, Microsoft, LinkedIn Learning, Novartis, Vivifi, Forge Alumnus, Nations Benefits, Wadhwani Foundation and Pifinity Foundation. These partnerships provided students with access to cutting-edge technologies, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities, bridging the gap between academia and industry.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the achievement, Sita Pallacholla, CEO of WE Hub, said, \u201cThe graduation of WE Enable\u2019s first cohort marks the beginning of a larger movement. Our mission is to create pathways for women to participate, lead, and thrive in every sector. This milestone is a testament to the power of collaboration and vision.
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