Saksham – Women Entrepreneurship Support Program

The Saksham – Women Entrepreneurship Support Program is a dedicated initiative to empower women entrepreneurs from Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural India. Launched by Oxyzo Financial Services in collaboration with PIEDS (Pilani Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Society) at BITS Pilani, the program addresses gaps in capital, mentorship, and incubation that often hinder women founders outside major cities.

Selected startups receive financial support of up to ₹10 lakhs, which can be used for idea validation, prototype development, operations strengthening, and go-to-market acceleration. Beyond funding, participants benefit from structured mentorship, capacity-building sessions, and access to PIEDS' incubation infrastructure, including workspace and entrepreneurial guidance. The program aims to decentralize startup growth, promote inclusive entrepreneurship, and increase women's equity ownership in scalable ventures.

To qualify, a startup must be a Private Limited company, with a woman co-founder holding at least 51% equity. The startup must be based in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 city and must not have previously received funding from PIEDS.

• Grant up to ₹10 lakhs with no equity dilution.
• Open exclusively to women-led Private Limited companies in Tier 2/3 cities.
• Woman co-founder must hold at least 51% equity.
• Backed by Oxyzo Financial Services and BITS Pilani's PIEDS.
• Includes mentorship, capacity building, and incubation support.
• Application deadline: 28 February 2026.

The startup must be registered as a Private Limited company. A woman co-founder must hold at least 51% equity. The startup must be based in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 city (includes rural India). Additionally, the startup must not have previously received any funding from PIEDS.

Saksham – Women Entrepreneurship Support Program is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for Saksham – Women Entrepreneurship Support Program closed on 28 Feb 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Financial support of up to ₹10 lakhs in the form of a grant (non-dilutive, no equity taken). Structured mentorship to refine business models, improve financial planning, and strengthen governance. Capacity-building support for sustainable scaling. Incubation support including access to PIEDS infrastructure such as workspace and entrepreneurial guidance.

Saksham – Women Entrepreneurship Support Program is offered by PIEDS, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by PIEDS as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are submitted via the official link before the deadline. The program team at Oxyzo Financial Services and PIEDS reviews applications. Eligibility screening checks entity structure, equity ownership, and geographic criteria. Shortlisted applicants may undergo further evaluation for business viability and program fit. Final selection is made by the organizing institutions. Selected startups are onboarded for funding disbursement and incubation support.

Before you apply to Saksham – Women Entrepreneurship Support Program, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

Saksham – Women Entrepreneurship Support Program is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.