New Delhi: Sixty women entrepreneurs from the food and beverage sector in Goa have begun expanding their businesses after completing specialised training under the Goa SBI Sashakti EntrepreNaari initiative, receiving grants of ₹50,000 each to support their ventures.
The programme, supported by SBI Foundation in collaboration with SBI Life Insurance and implemented by the Society for Education, Environment and Development, aimed to equip women entrepreneurs with practical skills to grow their enterprises. The initiative also received mentorship and subject expertise from the Aspire For Her network.
Launched last year, the programme selected 60 women entrepreneurs from both North and South Goa as part of a dedicated cohort within the larger EntrepreNaari initiative. The participants were chosen from an initial pool of 122 shortlisted applicants from across the state.
Many of the women are home chefs, caterers and food processors who have built small businesses within their communities and are now looking to expand professionally. Through the programme, participants received expert led online training, individual mentoring sessions and networking opportunities designed to strengthen their business operations.
The training focused on key aspects such as branding, digital outreach, customer engagement and strategies for accessing wider markets. Each participant also received a financial grant of ₹50,000 to support the early growth of her enterprise.
The entrepreneurs represent a diverse range of food businesses across Goa, including traditional Goan cuisine, bakery and confectionery products, millet based foods, pickles, papads, masalas and catering services. Many operate home based ventures and are now working toward expanding production, obtaining licences such as Food Safety and Standards Authority of India certification and reaching larger markets.
Participants included entrepreneurs such as Latifa Shaikh from Merces, known for healthy baked goods made with ingredients like ragi and jaggery, and Maya Shirodkar from Mapusa, who specialises in traditional Saraswat and Goan cuisine.
The programme concluded with an event that brought together partners, mentors and the entrepreneurs to review the initiative’s impact and present grants and mementoes to the beneficiaries. The gathering also created opportunities for participants to connect with mentors and fellow entrepreneurs as they continue developing their businesses.
