Mumbai: Havas India, the India operations of Paris-headquartered communications network Havas, has launched an incubation program for women entrepreneurs called EmpowHers. This is being done in collaboration with Her Entrepreneurial Network (H.E.N), a community for women entrepreneurs.
The inaugural six-month programme has been flagged off with 22 mentees and 11 mentors comprising senior leaders from across the Havas India network agencies. The programme aims to propel these business leaders in the field of marketing, branding, and business development through training and mentorship. The programme the agency said also aligns with several of its key ethos like championing women leaders, inculcating the spirit of entrepreneurship, DE&I, and making a meaningful difference to the larger community.
Havas India invited applications from H.E.N members to define their business challenges. These challenges were mapped with Havas India and its agencies, and how its leaders could help these entrepreneurs in their business journey.
These 22 businesses represent sectors including retail, health and wellness, food, and beverage, advisory, fashion, and lifestyle. Each business has a story behind its inception. These include the 63-year-old Dr. Sarah, founder of Eevolve, a holistic healing center, or Shikha’s undertaking Shikha’s Kitchen that started during Covid to support her family, or Kirty Datar, founder of CaneBOT.
EmpowHers is also offering Havas India insight into these sectors, businesses, and the challenges they pose, hence, giving the network an opportunity to innovate and offer business solutions.
Vandana Tilwani, CHRO, Havas India, said, “As we embark on the inaugural EmpowHers mentorship programme, we embrace the entrepreneurial spirit that defines us at Havas India. As a family-run business, we understand the transformative power of nurturing initiatives from their inception. EmpowHers embodies our commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and empowerment, reflecting our dedication to see the growth of women in business and in entrepreneurship. We are proud to partner with H.E.N, and work with our leadership team in this journey of providing meaningful solutions, guidance, and mentorship to aspiring women who want to propel their business to the next phase.”
Priyanka Changia, Cofounder, Her Entrepreneurial Network, adds, “A shared vision to make an impact in the entrepreneurial journey of women brings Havas and HEN together. This collaboration brings the expertise of senior leaders to HEN members. The biggest challenge for any entrepreneur is marketing… the leadership of Havas brings immense experience and insight in marketing communication along with industry expertise. It has been a fabulous opportunity for 23 Hen members to get mentoring from such industry stalwarts. I am sure each of them will benefit greatly from their support and guidance.”
MENTEES
1. Veenus Katyal – Tierra Care
2. Dr. Rekha Sachdev – Lifestyle Studio
3. Medha Jalan – My FUNiture Story
4. Shikha Verma – Shikha’s Kitchen
5. Suman John – Diya Innovations Pvt. Ltd
6. Sabari Chattaraj – Blue Lotus
7. Dr. Saraah Chimthanwala – EEVOLVE
8. Sumaiya Sultana – Eunoia International
9. Ritu Jain – Solicitude Parenting
10. Harmeet Kaur & Uma Arun – Fermata Consulting Pvt. Ltd
11. Jinisha Bhatt – Healing Mind
12. Ayesha Chandy – The Lazy Grasshopper Farm
13. Swetha Ashok – The GutGuru
14. Kirty Datar – CaneBOT
15. Pushpalatha Sundaraj – House of Praniv
16. Kavitha Dhamani – BWealthy
17. Reena Krishnan- Reepeat
18. Mansee Shah Thard – Lahe Lahe
19. Priyanka Agarwal – Studio Chhavi
20. Shruthi Jayaraman – Kornayas
21. Shweta Bhardwaj – Thorny Affair
22. Sridevi Sthanikam – Aarunya House of Sarees
Mentors
1. Mohit Joshi – CEO, Havas Media Network India
2. Sangeeta Barde – CEO, Havas Life Sorento & Regional Head, HHY Middle East
3. Vandana Tilwani – Chief HR Officer, Havas India
4. Deepali Saini – CEO, Think Design
5. Anirban Mozumdar – Chief Strategy Officer, Havas Worldwide India
6. Arindam Sengupta – Managing Director, Havas People India
7. Geet Nazir – Managing Partner, Conran Design Group
8. Kundan Joshee – Managing Partner – Havas Worldwide India
9. Prashant Tekwani – Managing Partner, Havas CX India
10. Rajika Mittra – Managing Partner, Havas PLAY
11. Mayuri Nikumbh – Head of Design, Conran Design Group
