2-5 December 2024
South Asia
New Delhi
Digital transformation offers growth opportunities for businesses across South Asia, but women entrepreneurs still face obstacles to successfully grow their digital businesses. To address this gap, the eTrade for Women initiative, championed by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), hosted its first ever in-person Masterclass in the region from 2 to 5 December 2025 in New Delhi, India. This unique empowerment event gathered 21 women digital entrepreneurs from Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India over 4 days, to help them thrive as business leaders and increase their impact as digital champions.
Who can apply to the Masterclass?
In order to apply to the Masterclass, you need to meet the following requirements:
- You are a woman and you are the founder/co-founder of your business
- You have a track record of at least 3 years in this role
- New technologies and digital tools are at the heart of your business model and operations
- You are based in one of the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
- You are making a difference and creating a positive impact on your community
We strongly encourage candidates from indigenous communities, marginalized groups and persons with disabilities to apply, as we are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion.
Do you meet all these criteria? Join us and take a dive into the digital transformation!
APPLICATIONS CLOSEDThe Masterclass is free of charge. Financial support for travel and accommodation may be available for selected applicants.
Agenda
Day 1: Provisional Agenda
(Subject to changes) 09:15 - 09:30 WELCOME AND REGISTRATION 09:30 - 10:00 CONNECTING THE DOTS Ice-breaker: Let’s get to know each other 10:00 - 10:30 OPENING OF THE MASTERCLASS Opening Remarks by:
- Ms. Anna Roy, Principal Economic Adviser, NITI Aayog
- Mr. Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary-General, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (video message)
- Mr. Julian Storm, Economic Counsellor, Australian High Commission Australian High Commission, New Delhi
- Dr. Giulia Ajmone Marsan, Head of Startup and Inclusion, Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Center, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) (video message)
- Ms. Ajaita Shah, Founder and CEO of Frontier Markets and eTrade for Women Advocate
10:30 - 11:00 Welcome Coffee 11:00 - 11:30 INTRODUCTION TO THE MASTERCLASS
- With the UNCTAD eTrade for Women team
11:30 - 12:30 LEARNING SESSION 1 Building your vision for growth
- Ms. Ajaita Shah, eTrade for Women Advocate
12:30 - 14:00 (Lunch Break) 14:00 - 15:00 LEARNING SESSION 2 Customer-Focused Innovation: Aligning Products with Market Needs
- Mr. Shailendra Nath Jha, Co-Founder and Director of Product & Strategy, Change Engine
15:00 - 15:30 (Coffee break) 15:30 - 17:00 LEARNING SESSION 3 Digital Marketing Essentials: Expanding Your Reach and Growing Your Brand Online
- Mr. Viren Sean Noronha, Founder, The New Thing
17:00 (End of Day 1)
Day 2: Provisional Agenda
(Subject to changes) 09:00 - 09:15 WELCOME & INTRODUCTION TO DAY 2
- With the UNCTAD eTrade for Women team
09:15 - 11:00 LEARNING SESSION 4.A Financing for Growth: Identifying Needs and Sources of Funding
- Mr. Kartikeya Desai, Founder & CEO of Desai & Associates
11:00 - 11:30 (Coffee break) 11:30 - 12:30 LEARNING SESSION 4.B Perfecting Your Pitch: Storytelling and Networking for Impact 12:30 - 14:00 (Lunch Break) 14:00 - 15:30 LEARNING SESSION 4.C Building Bridges: Investors Roundtable and Pitching Exercise
- Ms. Aarti Mohan, Co-founder and Partner, Sattva Consulting
- Mr. Rajeev Singh, VP and Head of Business for Midmarket and emerging business in India, SAP India
- Mr. Abhinav Bhatia, Program Manager, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
- Dr. Love Sarin, Chief Venture Officer, ALSiSAR IMPACT
15:30 - 16:00 (Coffee break) 16:00 - 16:50 POLICY DIALOGUE Private hearing with:
- Ms. Anna Roy, Principal Economic Adviser, NITI Aayog
16:50 - 18:30 (Break) 18:30 - 20:00 COCKTAIL RECEPTION
- Hosted by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the High Commission of Australia.
- Upon invitation only.
20:00 (End of Day 2)
Day 3: Provisional Agenda
(Subject to changes) 09:00 - 09:15 WELCOME & INTRODUCTION TO DAY 3
- With the UNCTAD eTrade for Women team
09:15 - 10.00 CONNECTING THE DOTS Unpacking key learnings of Day 1 & 2
- With the UNCTAD eTrade for Women team
10:00 - 10:30 (Coffee break) 10:30 - 12:30 CONNECTING THE DOTS Behind the Scenes: Unplugged with Entrepreneurs - Business Strategy and Operations Case-Studies
- Ms. Prerna Bhatiya, Chief Operating Officer, Even Cargo
- Mr. Shuchin Bajaj, Founder & Director, Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services
- Ms. Prerna Mukharya, Founder, Outline India
12:30 - 14:00 (Lunch Break) 14:00 - 15:30 LEARNING SESSION 5 Elevate Your Leadership: Unlocking Potential
- With Aditi Prasad, Founder, Human Design Guide
15:30 - 16:00 (Coffee break) 16:00 - 17:00 CONNECTING THE DOTS Video Interviews (select participants) 17:00 (End of Day 3)
Day 4 : Provisional Agenda
(Subject to changes) 09:00 - 09:15 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION TO DAY 4 Quick warm-up with the eTrade for Women Team 09:15 - 10:45 LEARNING SESSION 6 From Ideas to Assets: Understanding IP for Digital Businesses
- In partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization Academy (WIPO)
- Ms. Meera Chature Sankhari, Co-Founder and Partner, Jupiter Law Partner, Board of Director, International Trademarks Association
10:45 - 11:15 (Coffee Break) 11:15 - 12:30 CONNECTING THE DOTS - THE ETRADE FOR WOMEN COMMUNITY
- Introducing the eTrade for Women Community
- Group discussion: building the South Asia Community
12:30 - 14:00 (Lunch Break) 14:00 - 15:15 INSPIRATIONAL SESSION
- With Ms. Ajaita Shah, eTrade for Women Advocate
15:30 - 16:15 WRAP-UP SESSION
- Time to reflect on your key learnings and how to implement change in your business
- Feedback survey
16:15 - 17:00 CLOSING SESSION
- Closing remarks
- Certificates & group picture
17:00 Closing of the Masterclass
New Delhi Time (time zone calculator)
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