Applications are invited for the Udyam Mahila Ideathon Challenge. Register by April 1.
About the Organizer
ACCESS Development Services is a national livelihoods support organization based out of New Delhi, with a focus on incubating innovations for promoting sustainable livelihoods for those living in poverty. Set up in 2006, with support from DFID (Govt. of U.K), ACCESS is structured uniquely, to work at all levels of the value chain – implementing programmes on the ground, working with Civil Society Organizations, Government Departments, Corporate Sector, and Multilateral / Bilateral agencies and also undertaking initiatives for ecosystem strengthening and sectoral knowledge sharing.
Currently, ACCESS is implementing programmes in 14 states of the country in the thematic domains of farm, non-farm and financial inclusion. So far, the lives of over 450,000 socio-economically weak households have been improved, of which 60% are women participants.
The principal focus of ACCESS’s work is on Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) which fully aligns with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for ‘Women Led Development.’
ACCESS is leading a campaign-styled programme titled- “UDYAM MAHILA – More Power to Women” to build awareness on Pathways for the growth of women’s enterprises. The programme aims to strengthen national efforts by collaborating with key stakeholders in the ecosystem to generate momentum for advancing women’s entrepreneurship and integrating them into the national economic fabric to close the gender gap.
Overview
We are delighted to introduce the Udyam Mahila Ideathon Challenge, an innovative policy hackathon dedicated to reshaping the landscape for women entrepreneurs. This dynamic initiative sparks creative thinking and fosters actionable solutions addressing:
Access to Finance | Market Linkages | Mentorship Networks | Business Development
Through these focus areas, we aim to drive sustainable economic impact by supporting women-led businesses in overcoming multifaceted challenges.
At its core, the Udyam Mahila Ideathon Challenge serves as a collaborative platform uniting innovators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to co-create transformative strategies. We seek proposals combining creativity with practical, scalable solutions that address women entrepreneurs’ critical needs.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to individuals and teams of 2-4 members.
- Minimum age requirement: 18+ years.
Submission Requirements
- Comprehensive proposal (max. 1000 words)
- Must include:
- Problem statement
- Innovative solution description
- Anticipated impact analysis
- Scalability potential
- Supplementary materials accepted for clarification
Evaluation Matrix
- Innovation: Originality & creativity of solution
- Feasibility: Practical implementation potential
- Impact: Social & economic change potential
- Scalability: Expansion capabilities
Prizes
- First Prize: Rs.50000.
- Second Prize: Rs.30000.
- Third Prize: Rs. 20000.
- Fourth Prize: Rs.15000.
- Fifth Prize: Rs.10000.
- Special Consolidation Prize(2): Rs.5000.
Timeline
- Registration: 11th March 2025
- Submission Deadline: 1st April 2025
- Final Presentation: 30th April 2025
How to Apply
Interested candidates can apply through this link.
