NITI Aayog, India's public policy think tank, and Cisco today announced the second phase of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform, based on their shared commitment to encouraging women entrepreneurs across the country (WEP). The next phase of the NITIAayog's flagship platform, dubbed "WEP Nxt," would rely on Cisco's technology and experience working with India's startup community.

The event was attended by Amitabh Kant (NITI Aayog CEO), Anna Roy (NITI Aayog Senior Adviser), Maria Martinez (EVP & COO, Cisco), Daisy Chittilapilly (President, Cisco India & SAARC), and Harish Krishnan (Managing Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Engagements, Cisco India and SAARC).

WEP is a first-of-its-kind, unified platform that brings together women from all backgrounds and provides them with a variety of resources, support, and learning. It was first established by NITI Aayog in 2017. WEP Nxt is a huge step in the right direction. WEPNxt will be guided by evidence-based decision-making, which will be based on a comprehensive study of Indian women entrepreneurs and their most pressing needs across six key verticals – community and networking, skilling and mentorship, incubation and acceleration programmes, financial, compliance, and marketing assistance. This change is being fueled by a focused study that is also available for the ecosystem's benefit.

Cisco, in collaboration with the Nasscom Foundation, Sattva Consulting, and the DeAsra Foundation, will also enable technology-led experiences and engagements to address the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs at the individual and enterprise levels, as well as create new opportunities for growth, as part of this initiative.

"According to the WEP focused study, in addition to greater innovation, up to 170 million jobs could be created by 2030, and our annual GDP could rise by 1.5% if more women took up entrepreneurship – a massive opportunity lost if we delay action to uplift women-owned businesses," said Harish Krishnan, Managing Director & Chief Policy Officer, Cisco India & SAARC.

WEP Nxt aims to close current gaps for women in India and open up new opportunities for them. We are honoured to collaborate with NITIAayog to further our common goal of a more inclusive and fair future for all.