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Name: Meenakshi Dubey Business Name: Yespoho India Private Limited Location: Bangalore, India Establishment (Year): 2017 Category: Business Services Profession/ Specialty: Artisan Empowerment Evangelist Website: https://shop.yespoho.com/ Social Media: Linkedin Company Detail: Their Technology Solution is a Multiverse platform that utilizes technologies such as AR, VR, AI, and Social commerce for 500M+ users where Content, Social Interaction, Personalization & Customization converge to improve socio-economic conditions & livelihood of artisans. Their Patented Technology TryMe and CreateMyDesign allows customers to create products based on their individual taste and Preferences, Virtually try it on themselves, share & obtain feedback from their friends and family. Their AI-based solution provides Market analytics on prices to artisans so they can freely set their own prices. Their AI solution also learns about customer taste and preferences based on their engagement on the platform. Finally, Their Natural language processing enables artisans to directly interact and engage with customers on the platform. They aim to improve the socio-economic conditions and livelihood of artisans; Increase their primary income; provide tools and Analytics to help understand and cater to changing customer trends and Enable them to be independent Entrepreneurs. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Their Technology Solution is a Multiverse platform that utilizes technologies such as AR, VR, AI, and Social commerce for 500M+ users where Content, Social Interaction, Personalization & Customization converge to improve socio-economic conditions & livelihood of artisans. Their Patented Technology TryMe and CreateMyDesign allows customers to create products based on their individual taste and Preferences, Virtually try it on themselves, share & obtain feedback from their friends and family. Their AI-based solution provides Market analytics on prices to artisans so they can freely set their own prices. Their AI solution also learns about customer taste and preferences based on their engagement on the platform. Finally, Their Natural language processing enables artisans to directly interact and engage with customers on the platform. They aim to improve the socio-economic conditions and livelihood of artisans; Increase their primary income; provide tools and Analytics to help understand and cater to changing customer trends and Enable them to be independent Entrepreneurs. Challenges Faced During the Journey Main Challenges is to get the trust of artisans but once they get it it's very peaceful to see the growth of artisans along with them Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Do what you like to do

Name: Elizabeth Hall Business Name: eeze Natural Health Location: Pasadena , USA Establishment (Year): 2023 Category: Manufacturing Profession/ Specialty: Manufacturing Health Supplement Product Website: https://eezenaturalhealth.com/ Social Media : Linkedin Company Detail: Eeze Natural Health, a women-owned health supplements company, is proud to introduce Travel-eeze, their flagship product designed to provide natural relief from travel constipation. Crafted with care and expertise, Travel-eeze offers a refreshing raspberry powder infused with essential minerals and vitamins to support a healthier gut and promote regularity, conveniently packaged in individual packets for on-the-go use. Key Ingredients: Flaxseed: Rich in fiber, flaxseed aids in digestion and promotes bowel regularity. Vitamin C: Known for its antioxidant properties, vitamin C supports overall gut health and immune function. Magnesium: Essential for muscle function, magnesium helps relax the digestive tract and alleviate constipation. Cascara: Derived from the bark of the cascara tree, cascara acts as a natural laxative, gently stimulating bowel movements. Sustainability: Eeze Natural Health is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Their products are crafted with a focus on eco-friendly practices, and they continually seek ways to minimize their carbon footprint throughout the production and distribution process. Private Label Capabilities: In addition to their branded products like Travel-eeze, Eeze Natural Health does not currently offer private label capabilities. Price Points: Travel-eeze offers exceptional value for its premium quality and effectiveness. The pricing is competitive, reflecting their commitment to providing accessible wellness solutions without compromising on quality or efficacy. Social Relevance: Travel-eeze addresses a common yet often overlooked health concern – travel constipation. With travel becoming increasingly accessible and frequent, the need for effective solutions to alleviate discomfort and promote well-being on the go is more relevant than ever. This product resonates with a wide audience of travelers seeking natural alternatives to traditional laxatives, making it a valuable addition to any wellness routine. Promotion and Marketing: Eeze Natural Health promotes its products through various channels to reach their target audience effectively. Their marketing efforts include: Social Media: They maintain an active presence on popular social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, engaging with followers, sharing informative content, and showcasing customer testimonials. Website: eeze Natural Health Website Instagram: eeze Natural Health Instagram Facebook: Travel-eeze Facebook TikTok: eeze Natural Health TikTok Influencer Partnerships: They collaborate with health and wellness influencers to amplify brand visibility and credibility, reaching a broader audience of health-conscious consumers. Online Advertising: Leveraging targeted online advertising campaigns to reach potential customers interested in travel health and digestive support. Retail Partnerships: Establishing partnerships with retail outlets, pharmacies, and health food stores to expand their distribution reach and make their products more accessible to consumers. Email Marketing: Communicating directly with customers through email newsletters, providing valuable content, exclusive offers, and updates on new products or promotions. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Eeze Natural Health is dedicated to empowering individuals to prioritize their well-being and live healthier, happier lives – wherever life's journey takes them. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: What sets Travel-eeze apart is its unique blend of natural ingredients, carefully selected to provide effective relief from travel constipation without the harsh side effects commonly associated with traditional laxatives. The formula, perfected over years of research and development, combines the power of flaxseed, vitamin C, magnesium, and cascara to gently support digestive health and promote regularity. Challenges Faced During the Journey: Running a real estate business and launching Travel-eeze on a small budget presented numerous challenges and obstacles along the way. One of the primary struggles was balancing the financial demands of two distinct ventures while ensuring both received the attention and resources they needed to thrive. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Absolutely! Here are some pieces of advice for young women aspiring to be entrepreneurs or those already on their entrepreneurial journey: Believe in Yourself: Have confidence in your abilities and trust your instincts. Believe that you have what it takes to succeed, even when faced with doubts or setbacks. Embrace Failure as Learning: Understand that failure is a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. Instead of seeing failure as a setback, view it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. Each failure brings valuable lessons that can guide you towards success . Find Your Passion: Pursue ventures that align with your passions and interests. When you're passionate about what you do, it fuels your motivation, creativity, and resilience, making it easier to overcome challenges and stay committed to your goals. Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and peers who can offer guidance, support, and encouragement. Seek out role models who inspire you and learn from their experiences and insights. Take Risks: Entrepreneurship inherently involves taking risks, whether it's launching a new product, entering a new market, or making strategic decisions. Be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and take calculated risks that have the potential for growth and success. Prioritize Self-Care: Entrepreneurship can be demanding and stressful, so it's essential to prioritize self-care and well-being. Make time for activities that recharge you mentally, emotionally, and physically, such as exercise, meditation, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. Learn Continuously: Commit to lifelong learning and continuous improvement. Stay curious, seek out new knowledge and skills, and remain open to feedback and constructive criticism. Embrace opportunities for personal and professional development to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving business landscape. Advocate for Yourself: Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself and your ideas. Speak up, assert yourself, and actively pursue opportunities to showcase your talents and accomplishments. Be your own biggest champion and advocate for your worth. Foster Resilience: Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups and downs. Cultivate resilience to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to challenges, and persevere in the face of adversity. Remember that resilience is a muscle that strengthens with practice and experience. Pay It Forward: As you progress in your entrepreneurial journey, remember to pay it forward and support other aspiring women entrepreneurs. Share your knowledge, experiences, and resources to uplift and empower the next generation of female leaders. Above all, stay true to yourself, stay focused on your goals, and never lose sight of your vision. With passion, perseverance, and determination, you have the power to achieve your dreams and make a meaningful impact in the world of entrepreneurship.

Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Aditya Pandey: The idea for MyDigital Crown stemmed from my passion for leveraging the power of digital marketing to help businesses thrive in the competitive landscape of Mumbai. Witnessing the increasing reliance on online platforms for brand visibility and growth, I saw an opportunity to create a company that offers comprehensive digital marketing solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client. Great Companies: What are the various services provided by MyDigital Crown? Aditya Pandey: MyDigital Crown offers a wide range of digital marketing services including Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media Marketing (SMM), Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, and Website Development. We strive to provide holistic solutions that drive measurable results and empower businesses to succeed in the digital age. Great Companies: What makes MyDigital Crown different from hundreds of other similar service providers? Aditya Pandey: What sets MyDigital Crown apart is our unwavering commitment to client success. We prioritize understanding our clients' businesses, goals, and target audiences, and tailor our strategies accordingly. Our team of seasoned professionals brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, ensuring that every campaign is executed with precision and creativity. Additionally, we place a strong emphasis on transparency, communication, and delivering tangible results, earning the trust and loyalty of our clients. Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them? Aditya Pandey: Like any entrepreneurial journey, building MyDigital Crown came with its share of challenges. From navigating the competitive landscape to building a talented team and establishing credibility in the market, we faced numerous obstacles along the way. However, by staying resilient, adaptable, and laser-focused on our goals, we were able to overcome these challenges. We invested in continuous learning and innovation, fostered a culture of collaboration and excellence, and forged strong relationships with clients and partners, which have been instrumental in our success. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for MyDigital Crown? Aditya Pandey: Looking ahead, our vision for MyDigital Crown is one of sustained growth and expansion. In the next five years, we aim to further consolidate our position as a leading digital marketing agency not only in Mumbai but also on a national and global scale. We plan to diversify our service offerings, leverage emerging technologies, and forge strategic partnerships to enhance our capabilities and reach. Additionally, we will continue to prioritize innovation, client satisfaction, and employee development, ensuring that MyDigital Crown remains at the forefront of the industry. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Aditya Pandey: My advice to someone just starting out would be to stay resilient, stay hungry for knowledge, and never underestimate the power of perseverance. Building a successful business takes time, effort, and dedication, and setbacks are inevitable along the way. However, it's how you respond to these challenges that ultimately determines your success. Stay focused on your goals, surround yourself with a supportive network, and never lose sight of the value you bring to the table Website : https://mydigitalcrown.in/ Social media : Facebook  | Linkedin  | Twtter

Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Ms. Aarti Ahuja : Burn Healing Foundation was founded in 2020 by Dr Rajeev B. Ahuja , an internationally renowned Plastic and Burn surgeon, and who is also the only Indian to have been the Past President of the International Society for Burn Injuries (ISBI) along with being the Past President of Association of Plastic Surgeons of India ( APSI ) and even National Academy of Burns India ( NABI ). Today is the Trustee of Association of Plastic Surgeons of India & the Founding Chairperson of Asia Pacific Burn Association ( APBA )as well . In this role as HOD of Lok Nayak Hospital ( MAMC ) Plastic Surgery & Burns department for close to 30 years he closely interacted and treated burn survivors. India is the burn capital of the world. It is estimated that 1 million persons sustain burn injuries annually in India, of which 5 lakh are hospitalized and about 2 lakh succumb to burn injury. Almost half of the burn survivors have to live with functional deformities following healing. The cumulative figure for such deformities which are not corrected over the past 2 decades could be staggering. These could be post burn contractures of hands, arms and legs, or eyelid or lip ectropion. Some of these deformities could be very debilitating and not only affect the quality of life of the patient but also render him/her quite crippled. Children are not able to attend school, housewives are unable to look after their house and other adults cannot return to work. Government hospitals with burn management facilities are inundated with the load of acute burn patients as well as other trauma and cancer related patients that they are unable to devote sufficient time and resources to provide functional rehabilitation of all the burn survivors who may need the surgery. Then, there are patients who need multiple surgeries as many body parts may be deformed due to contractures. With the above understanding of the incidence of burn injury in India and the plight of the burn survivors the Burn Healing Foundation was established as a non-profit organization. I as Dr Ahuja’s daughter and in my professional capacity as a Psychologist have been deeply impacted by the plight of burns individuals suffer through and the deceased quality of life they endure through lack of employment opportunities and social discrimination . My personal aim to be a part of the Burn Healing Foundation was to focus on healing aspects and community outreach. As a psychologist I was a part of revising the quality of Life Burn Scale for the Indian population along with Dr Amit Mulay who was completing his DNB in Plastic Surgery under the guidance of Dr Ahuja. This understanding and close quarters observation of all aspects of burn management and treatment makes me a burn advocate. This was in a way to give back to the Society after having achieved so much fame through the specialty over decades by Dr Rajeev B Ahuja and as a family continuing to live up to our motto of service along with self. Great Companies: What are the various services provided by the Burn Healing Foundation? Ms. Aarti Ahuja : Burn Healing Foundation provides reconstructive surgery , correcting physical deformities , in poor burn survivors and we attempt to also widen our scope of providing psycho-social rehabilitation through community support and helping them find employment through CSR campaigns in the future. Great Companies: What makes the Burn Healing Foundation different from hundreds of other similar service providers? Ms. Aarti Ahuja : In the Non Profit Organization space for burn survivors many are doing valuable work for their chosen cause, acid victims , women and children .Either they are providing support for immediate treatment or focusing on social rehabilitation , our cause of correcting deformities post burn surgeries and making them re-employable through psycho -social rehabilitation is one of its kind across the world. As a growing organization , in my role as the COO and professional qualifications of being a Psychologist I attempt to provide a space that can be supportive of their healing surgery with the carefully chosen 20 hospital partners by Dr Ahuja, Pan India. Patient psychological care and through our social media endeavours we attempt to do burn advocacy in sharing information about prevention and correct first aid of burns. In burn care a popular slogan is Prevention , Persistence & Perseverance which we try to incorporate in our foundation's administrative work ethics. Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them? Ms. Aarti Ahuja : As mentioned, we are a growing organization. Our partner hospital and doctors are of great repute in their profession , but our struggle is community outreach to burn survivors and tentative donors to continue our intention of giving back to the society. I am deeply grateful to our partner hospitals in making it possible to provide reconstructive surgeries.Through our in-house social media efforts we have made a drop in the ocean , but I urge everyone to follow us on our social media pages ( Instagram Facebook Twitter Linkedin & Youtube @bhfindia ) and empathetically donate at an individual level or urge their companies to join hands with us under CSR campaigns to change the label of India being a burn capital of the world. With donations and funding we will be able to overcome our challenges and continue to help burn survivors and do our bit in mitigating the gap between treatment and those suffering. Also if this reaches medical professionals we are looking forward to joining hands with more hospitals wherein plastic and burn surgeons are working already to take it forward. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for the Burn Healing Foundation? Ms. Aarti Ahuja : As a COO , my personal vision for the next 5 years is to have hospital partners in every state and be supported by companies under CSR activities to carry out providing re constructive and deformity corrective surgeries to burn survivors that they become re employable and can lead a good quality of life as benefiting from the treatment. Also to add more hospital partners as 20 renowned Plastic & Burn Surgeons have associated their hospitals with us, more should be encouraged to follow in these philanthropic footsteps and join us under the guidance of Dr Ahuja to help in healing and restoring lives. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Ms. Aarti Ahuja : One can be passionate about a cause , wanting to make a difference, having a vision and mission just like a business, a business plan. In the NGO space , understanding the laws and the complaisance while having trust able team with expertise or knowledge in bureaucracy ( government dealings , registration & accounts maintenance ) , marketing , core area of the cause professionals representing the professional community ,CSR and community outreach experts to further the cause and help society along with a stage wise plan for implementing and raising funds. Everyone together with an empathetic and collective approach makes a difference as the end result is beyond the self it is benefiting people who are in need and can’t reach out themselves. Choose your team wisely , be ready to make changes and also keep reviewing your plans in early operational stages with adhering to set protocols and standards despite people luring you towards the easy way out! Website: http://www.burnhealingfoundation.com/ social Media: Facebook | Tiwtter | Instagram | Linkedin |

Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Harshid varma  : Idea was to Give Top notch , innovative consultation in field of design , hence be begun with our Firm Hv design Studio Great Companies: What are the various services provided by  Hv design Studio? Harshid varma :Design Consultation for Architecture , Interior & Landscape Projects. Great Companies: What makes  Hv design Studio   different from hundreds of other similar service providers? Harshid varma  : WE give unbiased And out of box design Consultancy Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them? Harshid varma  :The Fact that Indian Society still is unprepared to appreciate the expertise and value the designers bring to the projects , we Have had our share of clients who want us to compromise on fees , Alter our work module and push the in experience ideology in projects . we would like to change that. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for  Hv design Studio? Harshid varma  :We want to Triple the number of projects in our firm and  be amongst the top 25 prefered design firms of india . Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Harshid varma  : If you don't find the Key Break the door. Website : WWW.HVDS.CO.IN

Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Lindsay Etemadiour: I grew up grappling with a range of autoimmune diseases and chronic conditions with no real hope for healing. I had countless doctor visits, hospital stints, and a range of prescriptions and medications that did not give me the relief or healing I so desperately needed. I spent the first 20 years of my life believing that I would live a very limited life for the rest of my life. Until one day I got so mad after a doctors appointment that I decided that I was not giving up the way they wanted me to. This experience propelled me to diligently pursue alternative modalities and discover the power of herbalism. My dad had previously introduced me to herbalism when he used traditional Chinese medicine to heal a liver issue that Western medicine could not address, so I started with what he learned and went from there. When I was in my early twenties, I decided to take my health into my own hands. I studied the benefits of herbs as a form of healing and began to create blends that benefit the mind, body, and soul. I quickly learned how powerful herbalism was when paired with a healthy lifestyle. I knew I could not keep this to myself. So years later, in 2021, Symbi was born — a brand offering ancient tea remedies for modern ailments. It is 100% organic, with no fillers, sweeteners, or additives — just as nature intended. Great Companies: What are the various services provided by Symbi? Lindsay Etemadiour: Symbi retails a diverse selection of herbal tea blends, tinctures, and accessories, complemented by an extensive educational resource hub featuring insightful blog content. Symbi aims to empower consumers with a deeper understanding of the benefits of herbal remedies, because herbal remedies are real remedies. Great Companies: What makes Symbi different from hundreds of other similar service providers? Lindsay Etemadiour: Unlike most herbal tea companies on the market, we offer organic, loose-leaf, wellness-focused blends. When I started Symbi, providing customers with the highest quality teas was incredibly important. I used herbs to help heal my body and quickly learned that there is a stark difference between the crushed herbs in grocery store tea bags and high-quality loose-leaf teas. I also learned how most of the teabags and herbs used in grocery stores contain pesticide residues, natural flavors, artificial flavors, GMOs, or plastic/petroleum-based chemicals. It's part of the reason I started Symbi, I couldn't refer people to a tea company I trusted enough, so I created one. Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them? Lindsay Etemadiour: The most challenging part of running a business has been the problems that arise with scaling it. You go from four figures to five to six to seven, etc. Each stage comes with different problems, from operations to customer support to general bandwidth with sourcing. I worked for a few startups before starting Symbi and saw too many scale too quickly. We are a bootstrapped company, so we've scaled at a steady pace, which I believe has helped us approach problems without crazy urgency. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Symbi? Lindsay Etemadiour: Good question. I take things as they come. If nothing changes, I'd be content, but I would love to be a household name by then. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Lindsay Etemadiour: Make sure you are incredibly passionate about the why behind what you are doing! Once you start a business, you will be inundated with a million and one things to do each day. You can easily become detached from the day-to-day but stay focused. I still go through our customer emails 1x a week to stay connected with our customers. Website : drinksymbi.com Social Medial : Facebook | Instagram | Tiwtter

Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business? Anjan Pathak: Our idea for Vantage Fit was born out of a combination of personal experiences and market research. Me being passionate about health and wellness, along with my partner Partha Neog, observed a growing need towards corporate wellness programs. We saw an opportunity to leverage technology to make these programs more accessible, engaging, and effective for both employers and employees. Through extensive research, we identified the pain points and challenges faced by businesses in implementing and managing wellness programs. We wanted to create a solution that not only addressed these challenges but also offered a comprehensive platform for promoting employee well-being. Our concept evolved as we brainstormed ways to incorporate features like personalized fitness plans, team health challenges, customizable challenges, and data analytics into a user-friendly platform. We envisioned Vantage Fit as a holistic solution that would empower organizations to prioritize employee wellness and foster a healthier and happier workplace culture. Our goal was to positively impact individual lives and organizational performance by promoting a proactive approach to health and wellness. And that vision continues to drive us forward as we further develop and refine our platform. Great Companies: What are the various services provided by Vantage Fit? Anjan Pathak: Vantage Fit is a comprehensive AI-powered employee wellness solution. It is a one-stop solution for corporates of all sizes looking to warrant employee well-being. It focuses on employee health and wellness by promoting and rewarding healthier lifestyles and habits. With Vantage Fit, users can track physical activity, such as steps and workout, and map their outdoor workouts and runs using GPS. Some of the services provided by Vantage Fit: Holistic wellness challenges: Address all your employee wellness needs with state-of-the-art features, all in a unified corporate wellness platform. This has helped corporates provide an all-in-one wellness solution for their employees. Flexibility to create dynamic fitness programs: Encourage healthy lifestyle habits among your employees with weekly step challenges, walkathons, distance-based contests, and health campaigns. Focusing on individual challenges: It helps you create a sense of belonging and care by introducing your employees to a community of wellness leaders and experts. Vantage Fit has updated a feature called Journey Challenge, where the users can monitor and keep track of their own journey towards a healthier lifestyle. Global Corporate Virtual Walkathon: Vantage Fit hosts the global corporate walkathon for corporates across the globe. The Global Virtual Corporate Walkathon has allowed various organizations to embark on a wellness journey and inspire others to promote healthy living. It presents a platform for organizations of all sizes and backgrounds to come together and work towards a healthier and more sustainable planet. Great Companies: What makes Vantage Fit different from hundreds of other similar service providers? Anjan Pathak:  One of the most enticing aspects of Vantage Fit is its innovative point-based rewarding system. We believe incentives drive motivation, so we've integrated a points system into our platform. With every task completed, employees earn redeemable points, encouraging them to actively participate in various wellness programs. We use Gamification, Incentivisation and Recognition as driving factors for building healthy habits in the employees which help the organisation in these aspects. Seamless integration is at the core of Vantage Fit's design. We've partnered with various platforms, offering exciting gift cards and services. This integration ensures that users can effortlessly redeem their hard-earned points for rewards they truly desire, enhancing their overall experience. Integrations with almost all wearable devices allows everyone, with or without a wearable, to take part in the Vantage Fit challenges. Empowering HR managers is another vital aspect of Vantage Fit. Our HR Dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of various challenge metrics. This tool enables managers to customize challenges to suit their employees' needs while gaining valuable insights from detailed reports. With Vantage Fit, HR professionals can make data-driven decisions to maximize wellness program effectiveness. The Leaderboard feature serves as a powerful motivator. Users can track their progress, compare their performance with peers, and celebrate their achievements. This gamified approach fosters healthy competition and a sense of camaraderie among colleagues, propelling them to reach new heights in their wellness journey. We have an AI-backed Squat tracking feature, which sets us apart from other wellness solution providers. Employees can accurately monitor their squat activities, enabling them to optimize their workouts and maintain proper form. This cutting-edge technology takes employee fitness to a whole new level. In today's fast-paced world, mental well-being is crucial. Vantage Fit addresses this with an extensive range of mindfulness sessions. Our platform offers diverse meditation sessions, accessible at any time, helping employees find balance, reduce stress, and enhance their overall emotional well-being. Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them? Anjan Pathak: Being based out of small city from North East India, Guwahati, Assam, we encountered numerous struggles and challenges on our entrepreneurial journey. Operating from a tier two city posed its own set of challenges, including limited access to resources, talent, and funding compared to metropolitan areas. One of the major struggles we faced was establishing credibility and gaining traction in the market, especially within the competitive landscape of corporate wellness solutions. Being a homegrown company from Guwahati, we had to work doubly hard to overcome the perception that innovation and tech startups only emerge from major urban centers. Another challenge was attracting top talent to join our team. Many skilled professionals are drawn to opportunities in larger cities, and we had to devise creative recruitment strategies to attract and retain talent who shared our vision and were willing to work from Guwahati. To overcome these challenges, we adopted a multifaceted approach. Firstly, we leveraged the unique advantages of being based in Guwahati, such as lower operating costs and a close-knit community, to bootstrap and grow our business organically. We focused on building strong relationships with local businesses and organizations, gradually expanding our network. Secondly, we prioritized innovation and product development to differentiate ourselves in the market. By continuously refining our platform and offering personalized solutions tailored to the needs of our clients, we were able to carve out a niche for ourselves and attract attention from investors and industry stakeholders. Lastly, we remained resilient and adaptable in the face of adversity. We embraced challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, constantly iterating on our strategies and staying agile in response to changing market dynamics. Overall, while the journey has been challenging, our perseverance, dedication, and belief in our vision have enabled us to overcome obstacles and establish Vantage Fit as a leading player in the corporate wellness industry, proudly representing our homegrown roots from Guwahati, Assam. Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Vantage Fit? Anjan Pathak;  Our growth strategy revolves around continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and expansion into new markets. In the next five years, we envision Vantage Fit becoming the leading provider of corporate wellness solutions globally. One aspect of our growth strategy involves enhancing our platform with cutting-edge technology such as AI-driven personalization, advanced analytics, and integrations with wearable devices. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements, we aim to offer unparalleled value to our clients and users. Additionally, we plan to forge partnerships with corporate giants and wellness professionals to improve our product by understanding the on-ground issues of the corporates in general. These partnerships will enable us to tap into new industries and segments while leveraging their expertise and resources to fuel our growth. On the global scale, we have our presence in Canada and we aim to expand our presence into key markets across other countries and continents, tailoring our offerings to meet the unique needs and preferences of diverse populations. By establishing a strong foothold in multiple regions, we can achieve sustainable growth and solidify our position as the go-to solution for corporate wellness. Five years down the line, we envision Vantage Fit as the undisputed leader in the corporate wellness industry, serving millions of users worldwide and transforming workplace cultures to prioritize employee well-being. Our platform will not only be a tool for promoting physical health but also mental wellness, resilience, and overall productivity. Ultimately, our vision for the future of Vantage Fit is to make a profound impact on the lives of individuals and organizations, driving positive change and fostering healthier, happier workplaces around the globe. Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be? Anjan Pathak:  My advice to someone just starting out would be to stay relentlessly focused on solving a real problem or addressing a genuine need in the market. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of entrepreneurship and lose sight of the fundamental purpose of your business. By identifying a clear pain point or opportunity and developing a solution that effectively addresses it, you'll be laying a strong foundation for success. Stay committed to understanding your target audience, iterating on your product or service based on their feedback, and continuously striving to deliver value. Remember that entrepreneurship is a journey filled with challenges and setbacks, but maintaining your focus on solving a real problem will keep you grounded and motivated even during the toughest times. So, my advice is simple: Find a problem worth solving, and then pour your heart and soul into solving it.

Great Companies: Can you please introduce yourself? Tushar Kansal: Linktree : https://linktr.ee/tusharkansal Corporate website : https://www.Kansaltancy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tusharkansal/ Expert Speaking engagements website : https://www.TusharKansal.com Venture Capital Tv videos: https://latoken.com/vctv/investor/1040 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TusharKansal YouTube Playlist Talks/ Events/ Shows: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgrWugpMQEmY8UWwJOEiZ1ICcsSD9tgBk YouTube playlist VCTV (Venture Capital Tv) shows: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgrWugpMQEmbyMzpcsJQkYYDIu6JxiZUh Founder/ CEO of Kansaltancy Ventures – I am an accomplished Professional, a "Thought Leader" & "Thought Influencer". Over the years, I have supported Startups & Growth-stage companies in diverse Tech & Non-Tech sectors. Please see 70+ Recommendations on LinkedIn. Awarded "Best Startup Supporter" at "IndiaFirst Tech Startup Conclave" by "All India Council for Robotics & Automation - AICRA" from Dr Kiran Bedi. Awarded "Business Leader of the Year in Investment Management" by "Asian African Chamber of Commerce & Industry" Awarded "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Business Connect magazine. I am a Venture Advisor with Loyal VC, the INSEAD-led Canadian VC Fund, having a core portfolio of over 300+ investments in more than 50+ countries. I am a Mentor & Speaker at Entrepreneurship cell's of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT's) & Indian Institutes of Management (IIM's) & such marquee Institutions. I have expertise of Financial & Business advisory including creation of docs/ collaterals My expert opinion is often sought by leading Business news channels/ Publications like CNN-News18, VCTV (Venture Capital TV), Business World, Business & Economy, Qrius & Digital Market Asia. I have come on 250+ talks - Just Google me or check on YouTube At Kansaltancy Ventures, we aim to help change-makers accelerate their dreams by means of Venture Capital, Angel Investment, and Strategic Services, leveraging our connections of 750+ Investors/ VC Funds picking up global deals while being sector agnostic. The Average ticket size of deals accomplished is USD 200K-50 million. I have experience spanning multiple sectors from Venture Capital (Brand Capital), Big 4 Consulting (Deloitte & Touche), LSE-listed Sistema's India unit (MTS India) to CFO of USD 200 billion Guggenheim Partners-owned company (DLI). I executed several Venture Capital deals at Deloitte & Brand Cap and raised USD 2.5 billion Funding for MTS India I received Executive education in Leadership from Harvard Business School; an MBA in Finance from University of Delhi and B. Tech from The Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences, affiliated to the “Textile Institute Manchester, UK” and part of the leading Industrial & Education house in India “The Birla Group” Great Companies: Could you lighten the terms of Venture Capital, Angel Investments, and Strategic Services? Tushar Kansal: I am a Venture Advisor to Loyal VC, and we have made over 300 investments in over 50 countries! Startups need funding, so they come to us and we arrange funding for them from Angel investors, Venture Capital and from Family offices and we have relationships with more than 1000 Global investors from India, Singapore, Dubai, US and UK. Apart from that, companies need strategic services like Mergers & Acquisitions so we help in that as well. The second aspect which Startups and Growth-stage companies need is Business-KnowHow, so we provide them with Global Best practices. The third thing they need is Business relationships which is the need of the business side as well the balance sheet side and we provide them with that as well! Great Companies: Being a Startup, what are the potent issues a Consultancy service firm faces? Would you classify Kansaltancy as a boutique consultancy firm? Tushar Kansal: Kansaltancy Ventures is a boutique investment bank. We are growth-stage mid-size firm. We offer a host of Consulting Services, we are a Knowledge-driven firm and we are into a knowledge driven economy. All of the operations of Kansaltancy Ventures, be it Funding, Mentoring, Documentation, Financial services, Strategic services - all of them have a robust knowledge base behind it. The challenge in being a boutique consulting firm is that at an early stage, you have to manage with limited resources and you need to have the best people in the team because the team size is small, so the commitment levels in the team need to be very high; the motivation levels in the team need to be very high. We are very lucky that our teams are very committed and our Business development team, Social media team, our Execution team, be it on the documentation side as well as a financial model side and most of all, the Venture Capital team are all very strong teams with good representation of women. Its a very young team and Kansaltancy Ventures is today the Number 1 Investment Bank in the field of Venture Capital and doing exemplary work over the last 8 years! On the issues faced by us from our Clients – the Founders of Startups and Growth-stage companies – with the hype and hysteria surrounding Startup funding, the valuation expectations of the Founders is always sky high and sometimes it becomes a challenge to match it with Investors view which is always more tempered and grounded in fundamentals and the Financial Model. Secondly, many Startups are stingy and penny-wise, pound foolish – they don’t invest in creating must-needed collaterals for Funding like Pitch Deck, Financial Model and Business Valuation and their Funding suffers in the process. Our Teams handhold such Startups in making them understand the importance of creating these collaterals and then we go about creating them. Great Companies: What is the growth metric for Kansaltancy Ventures? Tushar Kansal: Most of the countries have adopted GDP as the growth metric - Gross Domestic Product - but Bhutan, a tiny Himalayan country has adopted Gross Happiness Product! Its an inspiration for Kansaltancy Ventures - for us our growth metric is the number of satisfied customers we have achieved year on year. Kansaltancy Ventures works in a way that it satisfies its Clients fully. We first speak to the Investors to gauge the invest-ability of the company, then we sign up with the Clients. Then we start creating the documentation which is the Pitch deck, Financial model and Valuation of the company. Post that, we help in Unit Economics, Term sheet clauses, how to present MIS, Due Diligence documents required and the Shareholders agreement. We work in such a fashion that each client of ours is fully investor ready and meets all compliances before we start approaching any investor. Kansaltancy Ventures primary growth metric is the happiness and satisfaction of each and every Company and Founder we come in touch with; each Startup or a Growth stage company we mentor and we assist in our best possible manner Great Companies: What is that quintessential piece of advice/lesson you have carried since you have worked in some of the biggest Financial Advisory/ VC firms? Tushar Kansal: My advice to Startups which want to grow fast is that always separate the process of fundraising from the process of growing your business - When times are good, stack up more on the Funds you Raise because you are getting it at better evaluation and a low cost. When times are bad, then because you had raised more in good times, you will be able to manage the bad times better. The second piece of advice is always know the why – Why you are in a particular business? Be very sure of what your calling is in life. One more advice is to always try solve the fundamental problems faced by Human beings. The last piece of advice is align yourself with the economy, with the Global conditions and always maintain good culture in your company so that the best talent stays with you, believes in your vision and that would go long in achieving all the aims of your Company Great Companies: What is Private Equity? Why has PE/VC emerged as India's new alternate asset class? Tushar Kansal: Venture Capital (VC) means to invest money of someone else in unlisted, private companies and after sometime exit that investment and make a return and in the process make a good return for the investor and for the Fund Managers sitting in the Venture Capital Fund. Typically these investments are carried out in companies which are in New Age growth areas and are scalable and so can potentially generate a huge return on investment for the Fund managers. Private Equity (PE) means investing in the late stage of the business, typically in amounts which are more than 50 million dollars and going as huge as more than 500 million dollars. VC/PE has emerged as the preferred asset class because of the potential to generate outsized returns. People have choices - whether to invest in Stock markets, Real estate, Commodities, Cryptocurrency or VC/ PE. If you look at the returns generated by VC/ PE over the last 30+ years, then the kind of returns which have been generated by the best performing Funds is huge as compared to as returns generated in other asset classes. Hence Venture capital and Private equity have emerged as India's new alternate asset class also and in 2022, more than 107 unicorns are there in India with more than 40 being created in 2022 alone! Great Companies: How did COVID-19 affect VC funding, and how did it recover? Tushar Kansal: Covid impacted huge number of sectors. Most of the sectors were locked down and contactless services were advocated by Governments - which means that a lot of Businesses moved online and the offline part of the Business had to be temporarily shut down. Education was impacted in a major way with classes being held online as an example. Covid also impacted the Healthcare sector in a major way with companies coming out with possible solutions to Covid until the vaccines itself got developed and administered across the populations. Travel was impacted which means that travel companies were impacted also in a major way. People started spending more time online. Another area which got impacted was the Workplace - Employees started working from home and Companies started realising that a lot of work and efficiencies can be achieved by Work-from-Home by the use of simple Technologies available off the shelf. With Vaccines having got administered to almost all the population, now things have shifted as compared to pre-Covid and a lot of technologies are there to stay - Hybrid workplace is here to stay and similarly, many aspects of Businesses have changed forever. Venture Capital changed in a way that it chased Technology companies even more, with Technology having marched right inside people’s Homes. Businesses had to pivot to new Business Models and that meant requirement of even more Venture Capital. VC Firms, also, started keeping more money aside for follow-on rounds of their investee companies Web Site: https://www.kansaltancy.com Social Media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | WhatsApp

Name: Neelanjana Choudhury Business Name: Metaskills Recruitment and Training Consulting Location: Bangalore,India Establishment (Year): 2018 Category: Employment Activities Profession/ Specialty: Recruitment and Training Website: https://www.metaskillsrecruitment.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mscn/ Company Detail: Driven by a passion for building world-class teams, Neelanjana Choudhury founded Metaskills Recruitment in 2015 - an exclusive recruitment firm on a mission to help high-growth technology companies globally attract exceptional talent to drive innovation. With over 12 years perfecting the art and science of strategic talent acquisition, Neelanjana offers a proven recruitment blueprint honed while leading Metaskills Recruitment for nine years. Her data-driven, tech-enabled approach resulted in a robust recruiting engine that leveraged diversity to source and select the very best candidates. A true mentor and coach at heart, Neelanjana thrives on nurturing relationships and motivating teams to reach their greatest potential. By fostering deep connections with both clients and candidates, she has tangibly improved satisfaction while boosting productivity and revenue. At Metaskills Recruitment, Neelanjana leads an agile recruitment methodology based on meticulous vetting to deliver perfectly matched candidates with minimal rejection rates. Augmented by her rich expertise in soft skills training, Neelanjana provides holistic guidance - from interview tips to time management - to set candidates up for success. With certifications from SQA and NABET and as an author, speaker, and jury member, Neelanjana is highly respected as a recruitment and training consultant. She founded MetaSkills in 2015 on the belief that a harmonious blend of technical competence and human skills is imperative for career advancement. By leveraging her vast experience, network, and passion for teambuilding, Neelanjana is committed to enabling clients worldwide to fulfill their aspirations by attracting and developing the industry's premier talent. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: Why Metaskills Recruitment? Exceptional Recruitment Team: Their team comprises highly skilled recruiters who are recognized as industry experts. They possess extensive knowledge and insights into various industries, ensuring accurate candidate assessment and selection. Empowered Team of Professionals: They are a dynamic all-women team, driven to achieve swift results in closing positions. Candidate Sourcing Expertise: Recognizing the significance of sourcing top talent, their team ensures a remarkable experience during the candidate interview process. Clients can expect to interact with some of the finest candidates, carefully selected to meet their requirements. High Joining Ratio: They boast an impressive 90% joining ratio for the candidates they present. This success rate reflects their ability to attract and secure candidates who are genuinely interested in the positions and aligned with the organization's needs. Diverse Hiring Expertise: While their core strength lies in IT hiring, they have successfully closed positions in non-IT and sales domains as well. Their adaptable approach allows them to cater to a wide range of recruitment needs. Timely Resume Submission: They prioritize promptness and efficiency in their services. Clients can expect the first resume submission within 24 hours of initiating the recruitment process, ensuring timely progress. Challenges Faced During the Journey In the early days, Metaskills Recruitment faced challenges getting clients and candidates. As a new company, it was difficult to build trust and reputation. However, by focusing on startups and delivering excellent service, Metaskills Recruitment gained experience and confidence. With perseverance and commitment to clients, Metaskills Recruitment is now a top recruitment partner for major brands and promising startups, continuing to achieve strong results. The pandemic brought new obstacles as positions went remote, requiring the company to adapt its strategies. With hiring frozen early on, founder Neelanjana had to devise new approaches to engage clients. She drew strength from her family, especially her husband who mentored her business, and her parents who motivated her to push on. Amusingly, Neelanjana's 7-year-old daughter picked up recruitment terms from overhearing calls, using them humorously in conversation and providing comic relief from business pressures. Through dedication and support, Metaskills overcame early difficulties to become a leading recruitment firm. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Neelanjana advises hustling and perseverance, saying there are no shortcuts to success. She encourages women entrepreneurs to return to work after a long break, noting it's never too late to restart your career. Metaskills Recruitment proudly empowers female candidates to join their mission. Neelanjana urges extensive reading, experimentation, and exploring new boundaries personally and professionally. She focuses on building connections on LinkedIn and consistently developing one's brand. Neelanjana concludes that success is not about never failing but refusing to give up when you do fall. Her story is one of overcoming obstacles through dedication and support.

Name: Vanessa Castillo Business Name: The Rich Girl Mindset Location: Miami, USA Establishment (Year): 2018 Category: Training & Coaching Profession/ Specialty: Mindset & Women's Empowerment Coach, Community Builder, & Talkshow Host Website: therichgirlmindset.com Social Media: Linkedin Company Detail: The Rich Girl Mindset is a dynamic platform dedicated to empowering women to cultivate financial independence and personal fulfillment. Founded on the principle of abundance and driven by a passion for women's economic empowerment, The Rich Girl Mindset provides transformative resources, education, and community support to help women unlock their full potential and achieve their financial goals. Product or Service Overview: At The Rich Girl Mindset, a range of innovative products and services are offered designed to inspire and empower women on their journey to financial success: Educational Resources: The platform provides a wealth of educational content, including articles, workshops, and webinars, covering topics such as financial literacy, wealth mindset, and entrepreneurship. Coaching and Mentorship: Personalized coaching and mentorship programs are offered led by experienced professionals to guide women in setting and achieving their financial goals. Community Engagement: Through a vibrant online community and networking events, connections among like-minded women are fostered, providing support, inspiration, and collaboration opportunities. Branding and Consulting Services: For women entrepreneurs and business owners, branding and consulting services are provided to help them establish and grow their businesses with confidence and clarity. In summary, The Rich Girl Mindset is more than just a platform; it's a movement dedicated to empowering women to embrace their financial potential, rewrite their money stories, and create lives of abundance and fulfillment. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: For The Rich Girl Mindset, the uniqueness lies in its holistic approach to women's financial empowerment and the unparalleled value offered to the community. Here's how it differentiates itself: Holistic Approach: Unlike traditional financial education platforms, The Rich Girl Mindset addresses not only the practical aspects of money management but also the psychological and emotional barriers that often hinder women's financial success. It understands that true empowerment comes from addressing mindset blocks and cultivating a healthy relationship with money. Tailored Resources: The content and services are specifically curated to resonate with the unique needs and challenges faced by women in their financial journey. From budgeting and investing to negotiating and wealth mindset, tailored resources are provided that speak directly to the audience's experiences and aspirations. Community Support: A vibrant and supportive community sets The Rich Girl Mindset apart from other platforms. Women feel empowered and inspired by connecting with like-minded individuals who share their goals and experiences. This sense of belonging and encouragement motivates them to stay engaged and take action towards their financial goals. Expert Guidance: Access to experienced coaches, mentors, and industry experts is offered who provide personalized guidance and support. This individualized approach ensures that women receive the guidance and encouragement they need to overcome challenges and achieve their financial dreams. Focus on Empowerment: At the core of its offering is the belief that every woman has the potential to create a life of abundance and fulfillment. The Rich Girl Mindset empowers women to take control of their financial future, break free from limiting beliefs, and create the wealth and success they desire. Overall, what makes people choose The Rich Girl Mindset over other options is its commitment to providing comprehensive support, tailored resources, and a supportive community that empowers women to transform their relationship with money and achieve financial freedom. Challenges Faced During the Journey The journey to where The Rich Girl Mindset is now has been both rewarding and challenging. Here are some of the struggles and obstacles faced: Financial Education Gap: One of the biggest challenges was addressing the pervasive gap in financial education for women. Many women lack access to resources and support systems that cater to their specific needs and challenges in navigating the financial landscape. Overcoming this obstacle required extensive research, collaboration with experts, and the development of tailored resources to fill this gap effectively. Breaking Societal Norms: Society often imposes limiting beliefs and expectations on women's financial roles and capabilities. Overcoming these ingrained societal norms required challenging stereotypes, fostering a culture of empowerment, and advocating for gender equality in financial education and opportunity. Building Credibility: Establishing credibility and trust within the financial education space, particularly as a woman entrepreneur, was another obstacle. Overcoming skepticism and proving the value of The Rich Girl Mindset through consistent delivery of high-quality content, transparent communication, and building meaningful relationships with the audience was necessary. Navigating Entrepreneurial Challenges: Like any entrepreneurial venture, building The Rich Girl Mindset required navigating various challenges, including financial constraints, resource limitations, and the need to continuously adapt to market dynamics. Overcoming these obstacles involved resilience, creativity, and a willingness to learn from setbacks. Maintaining Balance: Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with personal responsibilities and self-care was also a significant challenge. Over time, the importance of setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and prioritizing well-being to sustain long-term success was learned. Despite these challenges, each obstacle has been an opportunity for growth and learning. Through perseverance, determination, and a commitment to the mission, The Rich Girl Mindset has overcome these hurdles to become a trusted resource and community for women seeking financial empowerment and success. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Absolutely, here's some advice to share with young women who aspire to be entrepreneurs or are already on their entrepreneurial journey: Believe in Themselves: Confidence and self-belief are essential for success. Trusting instincts, embracing strengths, and not letting self-doubt hold back is crucial. They have the power to create their own path and make a meaningful impact. Embrace Failure as Growth: Failure is not the opposite of success; it's a part of the journey. Not letting setbacks discourage, but viewing them as valuable learning opportunities that propel forward is important. Embracing failure, learning from it, and keeping moving forward with resilience and determination is key. Seek Mentorship and Support: Surrounding themselves with mentors, advisors, and a supportive network of peers who can offer guidance, wisdom, and encouragement is essential. Learning from experiences, seeking advice when needed, and leveraging expertise to navigate challenges and accelerate growth is crucial. Continuous Learning: The entrepreneurial journey is a constant learning process. Staying curious, being open to new ideas, and investing in personal and professional development is necessary. Whether it's through books, courses, or networking events, prioritizing learning and skill-building to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving business landscape is important. Define Their Why: Clarifying the purpose and passion behind entrepreneurial endeavors is crucial. Understanding why they do what they do and letting that drive decisions and actions is key. Having a clear sense of purpose will fuel motivation, inspire others, and keep focused during both the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Take Calculated Risks: Entrepreneurship often requires stepping out of comfort zones and taking risks. While it's important to assess and mitigate risks, not letting fear of failure paralyze is crucial. Being bold, taking calculated risks, and being willing to embrace uncertainty as pursuing goals is important. Practice Resilience: Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster ride with its ups and downs. Cultivating resilience to weather challenges, setbacks, and failures is necessary. Staying adaptable, bouncing back from setbacks, and keeping pushing forward with perseverance and determination is crucial. By embracing these principles and staying true to themselves, navigating the entrepreneurial journey with confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose, ultimately realizing full potential and making a positive impact in the world can be achieved.

Name: Aruna Dontabhaktuni, Ph.D. Business Name: PharmaPRO Consulting Location: Hillsborough, NJ, US Establishment (Year): 2015 Category: Pharma-AI and Consulting Profession/ Specialty: Clinical Pharmacology and Regulatory for Pharma and Biotech Website: https://pharmaproconsulting.com/ Social Media: LinkedIn Company Detail: PharmaPRO Consulting Inc. was founded by Dr. Aruna Dontabhaktuni, a seasoned expert in the pharmaceutical industry. At PharmaPRO, they've developed an award-winning AI-powered Regulatory search engine called RegKEY. In addition to their cutting-edge technology, PharmaPRO Consulting is a premier pharmaceutical consulting company, specializing in partnering with pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms to expedite the journey of new medicines from development to approval. For over eight years, they've been dedicated to providing top-tier experts and consultancy services tailored to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Their areas of expertise include: Clinical Pharmacology Services Pharmacometrics Services Regulatory Affairs and CMC Regulatory Medical and Manuscript Writing Strategic Advice Data Management At PharmaPRO, mathematical modeling is integrated into drug development processes, leveraging their team of world-class Pharma Experts to significantly reduce timelines and costs. Their commitment lies in driving positive change in the industry by effectively navigating IND, NDA, BLA, and ANDA regulatory pathways. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: At PharmaPRO Consulting, they specialize in providing high-quality research and consultancy services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, with a singular focus on rapidly advancing new agents from the Investigational New Drug (IND) stage to New Drug Application (NDA) approval. Their competitive advantage lies in their ability to leverage mathematical modeling and a team of world-class Pharma Experts including experts from ex-FDA. By integrating these advanced techniques and expertise, they optimize drug development timelines and significantly reduce costs for their clients. Furthermore, at PharmaPRO, they've developed an award-winning AI-powered Regulatory search engine called RegKEY. This innovative tool simplifies complex regulatory processes, enhancing their ability to expedite approval. With RegKEY, they cut FDA preparation time by 90%, facilitating faster market entry of life-saving drugs and vaccines. At PharmaPRO Consulting, they are dedicated to streamlining the regulatory pathway and driving efficiency and innovation for their clients. Challenges Faced During the Journey: Throughout the journey as a minority woman entrepreneur, PharmaPRO Consulting encountered significant financial downturns, resulting in negative revenue. However, these challenges became catalysts for resilience, innovative thinking, and unwavering determination. Despite the obstacles, Dr. Dontabhaktuni remained steadfast in her commitment to navigating through difficult times. With the support of like-minded individuals and their dedicated team, they embraced these challenges as opportunities for growth. Their collective efforts allowed them to emerge stronger and more focused on their mission to drive positive change in the pharmaceutical consulting industry. This experience taught them invaluable lessons in adaptability and perseverance, reinforcing their belief in their ability to overcome obstacles. By leveraging these lessons, they not only navigated through adversity but also achieved sustainable growth. Today, as a minority woman-led company, PharmaPRO Consulting stands as a testament to the power of resilience and determination. They are ready to tackle any challenge that comes their way, championing diversity and innovation for the betterment of their clients and the industry at large. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: As living examples of resilience, grit, and hard work, Dr. Aruna Dontabhaktuni has navigated the challenging landscape of entrepreneurship with determination and passion. Her journey has taught her invaluable lessons that she wholeheartedly shares with aspiring women entrepreneurs. First and foremost, she advises women to embrace their uniqueness. Recognize the strengths and qualities that set them apart and leverage them as their competitive advantage. Identify market gaps and be proactive in addressing them; innovation often stems from recognizing opportunities where others see challenges. She encourages women to surround themselves with a supportive network of mentors and advisors who can offer guidance, wisdom, and encouragement along their entrepreneurial path. Their insights and experiences can be invaluable as they navigate the complexities of building and scaling their business. She emphasizes the importance of staying committed to continuous learning, as the entrepreneurial journey is filled with twists and turns, and the ability to adapt and evolve is essential for success. Whether it's attending workshops, seeking out educational resources, or learning from their own experiences, she believes in the power of knowledge in propelling their business forward. Above all, she stresses the importance of resilience and perseverance. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but it's how they respond to them that defines their success. Dr. Dontabhaktuni urges women entrepreneurs to stay focused on their goals, remain steadfast in their determination, and believe in their ability to overcome any obstacle that stands in their way. To all the women entrepreneurs out there, she reminds them that their journey is unique, and their potential is limitless. Embrace the adventure, seize every opportunity, and dare to dream big. The world is waiting for their brilliance, and she can't wait to see where their entrepreneurial spirit takes them.

Name: Alexandra Clare Business Name: Re:Coded Location: Lisbon , Portugal Establishment (Year): 2017 Category: Social Enterprise and NGO Profession/ Specialty: Tech - Social Impact Website : https://www.re-coded.com/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-clare/ Company Detail: Technology is transforming work in just about every sector of the global economy—and while these advances have created unparalleled opportunities for many, displaced and underserved talent still face systemic barriers in accessing quality education and employment required to improve their economic and social mobility in a changing landscape. Re:Coded is a startup non-profit that offers market-driven skills-to-jobs programs and online courses providing career mobility for underserved talent in fields such as software development, data analytics, AI, and product design across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. The impact of their programs is transformative with a 92% go-to job rate, a 300% increase in income from pre-program to post-program, and a 30% RoI on the total cost of the program within the first year. Today, graduates are writing code, enabling innovation, and bringing diverse viewpoints to new industries. Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage: At scale, Re:Coded could provide market-driven education to millions, reducing inequality and spurring economic growth in some of the most digitally marginalized communities globally for free. Their programs offer a holistic experience that goes beyond simply building new technical skills and instead integrates values of self-learning, collaboration, self-confidence, and community. This is absolutely life-changing for people. Challenges Faced During the Journey: Working in complex and uncertain environments impacted by conflict, security, political, and economic crises has been a challenge. In the span of the last seven years, they've contended with bombings and rocket launches, political coups, the collapse of economies, local and global pandemics, and financial insecurity, all of which have affected their team and students. Any one of these challenges could have forced a fledgling startup like theirs to give up and fail. They could tell about the evacuation and contingency planning, the strategic risk mitigation, the last-minute fundraising wins, and ability to pivot and be adaptable in the face of adversity in order to protect their team. However, what has enabled them to overcome these many challenges is a deep sense of perseverance, resilience, and belief that what they do is important. Advice for Women Entrepreneurs: Many people will doubt you and tell you that you will fail or you don't know what you're doing. Keep going, believe in yourself, and surround yourself with people who will give you good advice and champion you in the moments when you feel like giving up. The most successful entrepreneurs are those who have been able to withstand challenge after challenge, pivot after pivot.