UN Women
Funded by the European Union, the UN Women Industry Disruptor (India) is an acceleration program that provides you access to mentorship, investors and the opportunity to grow your ideas and increase your impact through scaling your venture.
Are you disrupting the fashion and lifestyle industry but need to attract investment, build your e-commerce presence, and form relationships with peers and big industry players to make a bigger impact? We’ve got you covered. Join the UN Women Industry Disruptor to gain access to likeminded industry players – ranging from fellow entrepreneurs to corporates and investors – who want to change the industry for the better.
Program
Impact of the UN Women Industry Disruptor since its inception in year (2021) over 2 phases:
230
women-owned or women-benefiting ventures increased their skills and impact through 6-month acceleration programs in EU and India
20
open source solutions to 12 brand-specific challenges co-created
2
collaborations between industry partners and entrepreneurs launched, 6+ collaborations between entrepreneurs, 1 investment deal
Challenges and solutions
The UN Women Industry Disruptor 2022 connected changemakers and international industry partners. Together they identified and co-created 20 solutions for 12 pressing equity and sustainability challenges in the fashion and lifestyle industry.
Challenge: How could we better forecast demand and plan inventory to make overstock a thing of the past?
Challenge: How could we match-make products and services that address social, environmental, and gender equality challenges in fashion & lifestyle procurement in India?
Challenge: How might e-commerce and D2C influence people to make choices that support women and sustainability?
Challenge: What should be the key components of a platform that will provide a supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs?
Solution: PREpair, a pre-booking marketplace to better forecast demand and prevent overstock.
Solution: Authentica, a gender-inclusive marketplace.
Solution: Re-volution, a campaign to showcase the stories and environmental impact of sustainable products made by women.
Solution: WorkEt, a platform for women entrepreneurs in India to learn, network and access the resources they need to succeed.
Impact & Results
UN Women Industry Disruptor Impact: to contribute to strengthening women’s leadership and sustainability across the fashion and lifestyle industry supply chains.
In this latest phase of the UN Women Industry Disruptor, we are excited to share key highlights towards this objective:
1
percentage of entrepreneurs create new professional opportunities for women
1
entrepreneurs and all 5 industry partners were sensitized on Women’s Empowerment Principles and half of Cohort 2 entrepreneurs already implemented a Gender Strategy Plan, exceeding our goals
1
linkages were created between entrepreneurs, industry partners, and mentors, with 6 collaborations in discussion
1
percentage of entrepreneurs increased online engagement through the program (sales, customer base, etc) - even in the face of widespread downturn during the pandemic
1
entrepreneurs gained access to financing opportunities and all 20 entrepreneurs in Cohort 2 pitched their ventures to investors
Industry Partners
The Industry Disruptor bootcamp was an amazing experience, providing an opportunity to interact with industry partners and also working closely with other like-minded entrepreneurs to give possible sustainable solutions to Industry challenges. It's a unique platform transcending boundaries or borders… helping all involved in the process of learning and evolving together.
Deepa PantFounder, SVATANYA 
Being a part of this incredible ecosystem is enriching and inspiring! Sharing common goals and issues sparks new solutions. The Industry Disruptor opened my horizons in many ways! As a solo entrepreneur you tend to get caught up in the chaos of everyday, more so now in the pandemic. It expanded my thinking to meta-level issues.
Padmini GovindFounder of Tharangini Studio 
This program has really inspired and encouraged Twirl.store to create a much bigger impact and disrupt the industry in a much greater yet positive way. As a result of this program, I am now focussing beyond daily operations and thinking more about strategies. I am excited to embark on this journey of growth while continuing to benefit the environment and empowering women.
Sujata ChatterjeeFounder of Twirl Store 
Though I am generally a self-starter, I was inspired to take more ambitious steps in my journey and to put one of my more audacious dreams into action.
Aekta KapoorFounder and Editor of Eshe Magazine 
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Meet the team
Eva Vander Giessen
Director of Entrepreneurship
KATHERIN KIRSCHENMANN
Founder
ANJA
THIEM
People Director
SWARNIMA BHATTACHARYA
Founder DOx India
KATJA FREIWALD
Regional Head – WeEmpower Asia, UN Women
BIRTE SCHULZE RAESTRUP
Project Manager
SUHELA
KHAN
Country Programme Manager- WeEmpower Asia, UN Women
FEROZA
SANJANA
Consultant – Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation, WeEmpower Asia, UN Women
Any questions? Get in touch!
Feature image of Industry Disruptor fellow and founder of JULAHAS, Kanak Hirani.
