Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship (CWE)

What Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship (CWE) does

Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship (CWE) is a not-for-profit Trust headquartered in Bangalore, India, founded in 2011 by Sucharita Eashwar to support women entrepreneurs across the country. The organization operates a hybrid online-offline platform (web and mobile) built around seven integrated 'Access Tools' modules — Finance, Markets, Technology & Digital Media, Trade Networks, Business Skills, Information, and Mentoring — complemented by an in-person program portfolio that includes Business Series Workshops, CWE JAMs networking events, CWE SaShakti entrepreneurship workshops, and the CWE CARES personal growth series.

CWE's service model centers on a tiered membership structure (Express, Platinum, Gold) plus pay-as-you-go workshop fees (Rs 400 for members, Rs 600–650 for non-members, free for Platinum members and incubatees), and on a partnership-led distribution channel that includes 25+ domestic organizations (NASSCOM 10,000 Startups, STPI, NSDC, TiE, Ministry of Skill Development) and international bodies (Stanford Seed, International Trade Centre, Consulates of USA, Canada and Israel, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce). It also runs a physical incubator inside the NASSCOM 10,000 Startups Warehouse and operates 'City Champion' representatives in Chennai, Mumbai and Mysuru.

The organization claims a network of over 4,500 women entrepreneurs and 50,000+ trainees since inception, with a portfolio of named success stories spanning biotech, AI, sustainable fashion, wellness, organic food and facilities management. It is registered under India's Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, and is governed by a small core team of approximately 10 employees supported by an advisory board and 25 Catalyst Mentors with combined experience exceeding 100 years in entrepreneurship and corporate leadership.

Name

Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship (CWE)

Legal name

Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship

Website

https://cwe.org.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship (CWE) is a Bangalore-based not-for-profit Trust that supports women entrepreneurs in India through a seven-module online-offline platform, a tiered membership program, workshops, mentoring, and an NASSCOM-based incubator, reaching 4,500+ active and 50,000+ cumulative entrepreneurs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangalore

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: CWE offers various membership tiers (Express, Platinum, Gold) with different pricing levels and benefits including access to workshops, networking events, mentoring sessions, and business support services.
2. Workshop and Training Fees: Revenue generated from Business Series workshops and training programs. CWE members receive discounted rates while non-members pay higher fees. Workshop topics include digital marketing, funding preparation, and business growth strategies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CWE operates a comprehensive online-offline platform and ecosystem that supports women entrepreneurs across India with access to Finance, Markets, Business Skills, Technology, Mentoring, Trade Networks, and Information. The offering includes a multi-module CWE Platform, workshops (Business Series, CWE SaShakti, CWE CARES), a tiered Membership program, and an incubator for women-owned businesses hosted at the NASSCOM 10,000 Startups Warehouse.

Product overview

Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship (CWE) operates as a comprehensive ecosystem with a main platform connecting over 4,500 women entrepreneurs across India. The platform consists of seven integrated modules covering Finance, Markets, Technology and Digital Media, Trade Networks, Business Skills, Information, and Mentoring. Supporting the platform are various services including the Business Series Workshop (training on finance, marketing, and digital strategy), CWE SaShakti Entrepreneurship Workshop, CWE CARES personal development series, and membership program. The organization also runs an incubator at NASSCOM 10,000 startups Warehouse for women-owned businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CWE SaShakti: Entrepreneurship workshop program for women
• CWE Platform
• Business Series Workshop
• CWE JAMs
• CWE CARES

Products and services

• CWE Platform Comprehensive online-offline platform providing women entrepreneurs access to Finance, Markets, Business Skills, Technology, Mentoring, Trade Networks, and Information resources. Includes seven integrated modules (Finance, Markets, Technology and Digital Media, Trade Networks, Business Skills, Information, Mentoring) and serves a community of 4,500+ women entrepreneurs across India.
• Business Series Workshop Interactive workshops on finance, business planning, marketing, digital strategy, and networking led by industry experts for women entrepreneurs. Members attend at Rs 400 per event; non-members at Rs 600 per event.
• CWE SaShakti Entrepreneurship Workshop Power-packed two-day event covering business planning, marketing, financial management, and exclusive mentoring roundtables for women entrepreneurs.
• CWE CARES Series Personal growth and self-discovery sessions for women entrepreneurs focusing on life balance and empowerment.
• CWE Membership
• CWE Incubator at NASSCOM 10,000 Startups Warehouse Incubator services for women-owned businesses hosted at the NASSCOM 10,000 Startups Warehouse, providing networking, mentorship, and scaling opportunities. Notable incubatees include Cradlewise ($7M seed funding) and Biomoneta.
• CWE Mentoring Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Network of 4,500+ women entrepreneurs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NASSCOM 10,000 StartupscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NASSCOM's 10,000 Startups warehouse for incubating women-owned businesses. CWE has established an incubator for women entrepreneurs at the NASSCOM 10,000 startups Warehouse to help them build networks and scale their businesses.
• Stanford SeedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStanford Seed Spark program partner. CWE nominates women entrepreneurs for Stanford Seed Spark program Cohort 12 and other Stanford programs to help them grow their businesses.
• International Trade CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide women entrepreneurs with access to international markets and trade opportunities through ITC programs and resources.
• NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NSDC to provide skill development and training opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
• STPI (Software Technology Parks of India)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with STPI to support women entrepreneurs in the IT/ITES sector with technology and business development resources.
• TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with TiE for mentorship, networking, and entrepreneurship development programs for women.
• Walmart LabsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Walmart Labs for technology support and potential market access opportunities.
• Centre for Women in BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership to connect women entrepreneurs with global resources and opportunities.
• Women's Business Development CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support women-owned businesses with development resources and market access.
• WIPP (Women Impacting Network)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with WIPP to connect women entrepreneurs to a broader network of women business owners.
• Founder's InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Founder's Institute for startup support and acceleration programs for women entrepreneurs.
• Indo-German Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to provide German market access and trade opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
• Consulate of USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with US Consulate for trade missions and market access to US markets for women entrepreneurs.
• Consulate of CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Canadian Consulate for trade missions and international market access.
• Consulate of IsraelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Israeli Consulate for technology and innovation partnerships.
• Zone StartupscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Zone Startups for startup acceleration and market access programs.
• ALEAPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ALEAP for women entrepreneurship development in Asia.
• empoWerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on empowering women entrepreneurs through training and resources.
• InkHer FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with InkHer Foundation for women-focused entrepreneurship development.
• Josh TalksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Josh Talks for content marketing and awareness about women entrepreneurship.
• Ministry of Skill DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for government-backed skill development programs.
• NASSCOM FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NASSCOM Foundation for diversity and inclusion initiatives and CSR programs.
• W2minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with W2 for women entrepreneurship support and networking.
• Global Innovation Hub (GIH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Global Innovation Hub for international innovation and entrepreneurship programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Cherie Blair Foundation for Women: UK-based foundation that supports women entrepreneurs in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East through training, mentoring, and access-to-finance programs. Closely comparable mission and program design to CWE, though geographically broader.
• Springboard Enterprises: US-driven accelerator network that connects women entrepreneurs to investors, mentors, and corporates. Comparable to CWE in its mentor- and investor-led approach but focused on high-growth tech ventures rather than the full SMB spectrum CWE serves.
• WEConnect International: Global non-profit that certifies women-owned businesses and connects them to corporate and government buyers. Highly comparable to CWE's market-access mission; CWE's founder previously led WEConnect International's India operations, underscoring the model overlap.
• International Women's Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) Foundation:
• Women Impacting Network (WIPP): US-based non-profit advocating for women business owners through policy and network access. Already a CWE partner, making it a natural comparable for the advocacy-and-network model CWE applies in India.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): US membership organization offering networking, education, and advocacy for women business owners. Similar in membership/community model to CWE, but more established, larger, and US-only.
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): Largest US certifier of women-owned businesses and the dominant operator in women-business support and supplier diversity. CWE is a smaller, India-focused analogue operating a similar certification/access model.
• Vital Voices Global Partnership: Global non-profit identifying and investing in women leaders, including entrepreneurs, through mentoring, training, and networks. Comparable in mission scope and global partnership model, though broader than CWE's entrepreneur-only focus.

Regional players

• WEKH (Women's Enterprise Knowledge Hub): Canadian knowledge and research hub for women entrepreneurs offering training, research, and network resources. Comparable in mission and program mix to CWE, but focused on Canada rather than India.

Emerging players

• Digitalundivided: US non-profit supporting Black and women entrepreneurs through accelerator programs, data, and corporate partnerships. Comparable as a mission-driven accelerator network, though narrower in demographic focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CWEIndia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/catalystforwomenentrepreneurship
• Instagraminstagram.com/cweconnect

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship (CWE)