A landmark chapter that institutionalized Zero-Cost support for women entrepreneurs. herSTART 2.0 bridged the gap between bold ideas and national-scale impact.
herSTART is a flagship program by the Gujarat University Startup & Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC). It was established to provide "hand-holding" support as women realize their entrepreneurial dreams.
India ranks 140 out of 156 in the WEF Global Gender Gap Index 2021. Women own only 20.37% of MSMES, highlighting the need for targeted support.
Operating on a "zero-day, zero-cost" strategy, the program supports innovators from inception without any financial barriers.
Focus on transforming creative ideas into market-leading businesses through specialized resources and mentorship.
Detail physical and digital assets, such as the herSTART Helpdesk and women-only co-working spaces designed for an inclusive ecosystem.
Emphasize the long-term goal of fostering an innovative spirit that allows women to contribute to a self-reliant nation.
herSTART 2.0 has successfully built a massive ecosystem for women-led innovation, reaching millions across the nation.
The herSTART Summit, organised by GUSEC on March 8, 2021, brought together dignitaries from the Government of India and Gujarat, women entrepreneurs, innovators, and startup ecosystem leaders to celebrate International Women’s Day. With an audience of 1000+ participants, the day-long summit featured six insightful sessions where women leaders from diverse backgrounds shared perspectives on women and entrepreneurship.
Official launch of the herSTART 2.0 program and opening of the application window for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Celebrated on International Women's Day with over 1,000 attendees, fostering inspiration and community engagement.
An intensive two-week period focused on scaling women-led innovation and strategic business development.
The official announcement of the 50 most promising startup ideas selected for the next phase of support.
Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council
Real-time technical assistance and administrative support designed to navigate startup roadblocks efficiently.
State-of-the-art incubation facilities on the Gujarat University campus, offering a collaborative safe-space for founders.
![DST](https://herstart.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1-1.png")
Join the next generation of women-led innovation and turn your vision into a sustainable business.
