Association Of Women Enterpreneurs Of Karnataka

What Association Of Women Enterpreneurs Of Karnataka does

AWAKE (Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka) is a registered non-profit society established in 1983 in Bengaluru, India, founded by seven women entrepreneurs to nurture women-led enterprise through counselling, training, and market access. The organization operates a coherent four-stage "4S Model" — Stimulus (business counselling), Start Up (Entrepreneurship Development Programs), Sustenance (marketing support via exhibitions, trade fairs, and buyer-seller meets), and Support (membership services and mentorship) — which collectively convert aspiring women into practicing entrepreneurs. Beyond programs, AWAKE runs Asia's first dedicated Business Incubator for Food Processing and a Research and Resource Centre housing a computerized Data Bank of technologies, project profiles, and market information.

The underlying technology stack is conventional: a web-based platform for member management, online community forums, social media groups, and a digital membership application process. The AURA digital resource centre (2009) and the Research and Resource Centre's technology database provide basic digitization, though the organization reports no proprietary AI/ML systems. Member products are showcased through dedicated sub-brand pages (e.g., Udupi Ruchi, Shree Agro Foods, True Millet, Indira Foods), and the recently renovated Food Incubator (reopened September 2025) supports product development, packaging, labeling, and FPO licensing.

AWAKE's revenue model is a blend of annual membership subscriptions (pricing not publicly disclosed), subsidized exhibition participation fees, and grant/CSR funding from institutional partners including SIDBI, GIZ, NABARD, ICAR, Save the Children/GSK, and various government bodies. Donations are tax-exempted under Section 80G. The organization's go-to-market is community-led: awareness programs in rural districts feed aspiring entrepreneurs into counselling, which converts them into practicing entrepreneurs and members; growth is driven by word-of-mouth, peer referrals, and an extensive network of national and international partner agencies. As of 2025, AWAKE reports 3,500+ members, 1,200+ practicing entrepreneurs, 200,000+ lives impacted, and a 4-person paid secretariat supporting its operations.

Name

Association Of Women Enterpreneurs Of Karnataka

Legal name

Association Of Women Entrepreneurs Of Karnataka

Website

https://awakeindia.org.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Short description

AWAKE is a Bengaluru-based non-profit founded in 1983 that empowers women entrepreneurs in Karnataka through business counselling, training, marketing support, and Asia's first women-focused food processing incubator, serving 3,500+ members across diverse SMB segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women Entrepreneurship Development Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Business Associations (813910), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

Keywords

• Women entrepreneurship development
• Business incubation services
• Entrepreneurship training programs
• Small business support
• Food processing incubation

Headquarters

HQ city

Bengaluru

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees provide access to business counselling, exhibitions, networking events, mentorship programs, workshops, and business resources. Members receive free business counselling sessions, access to exhibitions and trade fairs, and networking opportunities.
2. Exhibition Participation Fees: AWAKE organizes periodical exhibitions and sales at subsidized costs for members. Also facilitates joint participation in National and International trade fairs with buyer-seller meets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AWAKE is a non-profit society that operates a women entrepreneurship development ecosystem through the 4S Model: Stimulus (business counselling), Start Up (entrepreneurship development programs), Sustenance (marketing support via exhibitions and trade fairs), and Support (membership services including mentorship and resources). Core offerings also include Asia's first Business Incubator for Food Processing, a Research and Resource Centre, and credit referral services linking women to microfinance institutions.

Product overview

AWAKE (Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka) is a non-profit organization established in 1983 that operates as a comprehensive entrepreneurship development ecosystem rather than a single product. The organization provides a layered portfolio of interconnected services: the 4S Model framework comprising Stimulus (Business Counselling), Start Up (Entrepreneurship Development Programs), Sustenance (Marketing Support), and Support (Membership Services). Core offerings include the Business Incubator for Food Processing (the first of its kind in Asia), the Research and Resource Centre (RRC) for documentation and research, and Credit Referral Services. The ecosystem also includes flagship events like the annual Global MSME Summit and various exhibitions. Member businesses under sub-brands such as Udupi Ruchi, Shree Agro Foods, and True Millet showcase products developed through AWAKE's incubator and support programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stimulus (Business Counselling) Entry-point business counselling service for aspiring women entrepreneurs, conducted every Thursday at Rajajinagar office (2pm-5pm) and during rural training programs. Includes idea generation labs, entrepreneurship awareness programs, business ideas related to skills and finance, expansion opportunities, innovative ideas development, business connections, and sector-specific and group counselling sessions. Delivered by certified Business Counsellors, Sector Specialists, and Technical Consultants.
• Start Up (Entrepreneurship Development Programs) Entrepreneurship Development Programs (EDPs) that help women launch their ventures with proper training and skills development. Includes EDP training in fashion designing, food processing, and catering. Covers awareness programs in rural areas, business scheme dissemination, and skill training workshops. Over 3,888 development programs and 150+ workshops conducted to date.
• Sustenance (Marketing Support) Marketing support service through exhibitions, networking events, and platforms to help member businesses grow and reach new customers. Organizes AWAKE Bazaar, buyer-seller meets, product shows, and facilitates participation in National and International trade fairs. Over 700 exhibitions organized to date.
• AWAKE Membership Program Annual membership program offering knowledge and skill development, networking and collaboration, exposure and opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Members receive free business counselling sessions, access to exhibitions and trade fairs, networking with industry leaders, marketing support, exclusive events, business resources, mentorship, educational workshops, and online community access.
• Business Incubator for Food Processing Asia's first Business Incubator for Food Processing dedicated to women entrepreneurs, providing clean hygienic environment with user-friendly equipment for food processing, packaging, and labeling. Products can be labeled with FPO License. Facility available for one-year MOU periods, shorter periods, or daily usage sampling. Services include food technologist support, product development, standardization, and management training.
• Research and Resource Centre (RRC) Documentation center supporting all AWAKE activities with a computerized Data Bank containing technologies, business startup information, project profiles, and reports. Publishes the monthly newsletter 'Awakener – Voice of AWAKE' and conducts research studies for various organizations.
• Credit Referral Services Micro credit support services including need-based training, linkages for Micro Finance Institutions, and interim guarantee funds. Supports SHG capacity building and income generation activities through training, connecting women entrepreneurs to NABARD and microfinance programs.
• Global MSME and Women in Business & Leadership Summit Annual flagship event bringing together MSMEs, corporates, academia, financial institutions and industry bodies for business panel sessions, networking, B2B/B2C engagement, and award recognition. The 2025 edition hosted 1,000+ delegates, 24 business panel sessions, 100+ speakers, 60 MSME stalls, and recognized 250+ awardees across MSME Excellence, Women in Business Leadership, Supply Chain Management, and CSR categories.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000+ lives impacted including 50 lakhs women counselled formally and informally since 1983
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NGO - Save the Children and GSK CSRcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019AWAKE signed an MOU with NGO - Save the Children and GSK CSR for training and development of women-owned enterprises at Vemgal, Kolar District. The partnership focuses on capacity building and skill development of women entrepreneurs.
• Australian Chamber of Commerce - International Federation of Women in Commerce and IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007MOU signed for international collaboration and support for women entrepreneurs, facilitating cross-border business opportunities and knowledge exchange.
• Sri Lankan Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007International partnership MOU signed for trade facilitation and business networking between women entrepreneurs of both countries.
• ZDH-SEQUA (German Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Partnership signed with German development agency for economic development programs supporting women entrepreneurs.
• Women's World Banking (WWB) - New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWAKE was an affiliate of Women's World Banking - New York for Business Development Services. Also became the 2nd NGO to become a member of WWB in 1990.
• ICAR (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICAR-NAIP PROJECT: Training 250 women at Malavalli, Mandya district in value-added Maize products, marketed under brand MAIZY, in association with University of Agricultural Sciences.
• National Agencies NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with MSME, DIC, NAIP, NSIC, DST, KCTU, KSWDC, IDBI, TECSOK, KSFC, KVIB, UAS-GKVK, VTPC, KVIC, CEDOK, KIADB, KSSIDC, SBI, CANARA, UNION, NI-MSME, MOFP, FKCCI, KASSIA, NIFTEM, and various universities and colleges.
• Manipal Institute of Technology (MAHE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost partner for AWAKE's Global MSME and Global Women in Business & Leadership Summit 2025 at Yelahanka, Bengaluru campus.
• CAPARTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAPART (Council for Advancement of People's Action & Rural Technology) selected AWAKE as a Nodal agency in 2007.
• Sa-dhancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWAKE was a founder member of Sa-dhan (1999), an organization of Micro Finance Institutions, training organizations and individual members working towards reaching poor families.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-women-entrepreneurs-of-karnataka

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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