Nomination

Recognising grassroots women entrepreneurs for their contribution towards scaling up the Indian economy

On 17th July 2020, SATYA MicroCapital Ltd. inaugurated the 1st edition of the Vijayalakshmi Das Entrepreneurship Awards 2020.

The objective of Vijayalakshmi Entrepreneurship Awards 2020 was to provide an awards and recognition platform to felicitate the Women Entrepreneurs of the micro, small and medium enterprise sector at the grassroots to honour the “Mother of Indian Microfinance”- Late Mrs Vijayalakshmi Das on her 69th Birth Anniversary and a remarkable woman who has inspired many of the industry practitioners.

The Inspiration Behind Recognition of Grassroot Women Entrepreneurs; Late Mrs Vijayalakshmi Das
Known as the “Mother of Indian Microfinance”. Late Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Das was an (ex) Director on the Board of SATYA MicroCapital. A woman of substance and a firm believer in “women empowerment”, she was deeply inspired from her mother and grandmother, who broke traditional norms and took up the job in a society where women were prohibited from doing one. Late Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Das shattered stereotypes way back in the ‘70s when she took up a job in finance after a degree in economics when women roles were mostly limited to domestic duties.
After a post-graduate degree in economics, she further did advanced courses from the Economic Institute, Harvard Institute for International Development, and Women’s World Banking of USA. It was in 1989 that Late Mrs Vijayalakshmi Das took up the leadership role as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Friends of Women’s World Banking (FWWB) India. As a Chief Executive Officer, she worked relentlessly for women empowerment, aided farmers, and several low-income groups to achieve their financial stability and develop their skills.
Her long list of work credentials includes her membership in the standing committee on gender Issues in credit and support services of NABARD. She had also been a part of the project advisory group of CGAP—an organisation that works toward financial inclusion in India. Others include her participation in RBI’s microfinance task force, MCRIL’s governing board, SIDBI Foundation for Microcredit board’s governing board. Das has also been a trustee of APMAS and Appropriate Technology, India.
About the Programme: Vijayalakshmi Entrepreneurship Awards 2024

Through Vijayalakshmi Das Entrepreneurship Awards 2024, SATYA aims to take her vision forward by honouring the Indian women entrepreneurs and business leaders at the grassroots, who are forging new ways of entrepreneurship and solving the problems of their communities through small businesses and other social initiatives. This recognition is significant not only for the woman entrepreneur’s morale, but also to inspire other women around her to come forward and take up entrepreneurship.

Under the aegis of these awards, SATYA offers the following categories:

Entrepreneur of the Year - Micro Enterprise

The award acknowledges efforts of the women entrepreneurs who has successfully started right their business and now have a total team strength of 5+ individuals.

1) 2nd Runner up – INR 25,000/-
2) 1st Runner up – INR 50,000/-
3) Winner – INR 1,00,000/-

Entrepreneur of the Year - Medium Enterprise

The award acknowledges efforts of the women entrepreneurs who has successfully started right their business and now have a total team strength of 25+ individuals.

1) 2nd Runner up – INR 25,000/-
2) 1st Runner up – INR 50,000/-
3) Winner – INR 1,00,000/-

Entrepreneur of the Year - Small Enterprise

The award acknowledges efforts of the women entrepreneurs who has successfully started their business and now have a total team strength of 10+ individuals.

1) 2nd Runner up – INR 25,000/-
2) 1st Runner up – INR 50,000/-
3) Winner – INR 1,00,000/-

Leader of the Year

A woman of calibre who is breaking the societal barriers and hurdles, took a step forward to bring positive social change within the society.

Winner – INR 1,51,000/-

Benefits of the Winner

Rules and Guidelines