7 women, who dared to be different, were honored by Rotary Club of Bangalore for their contribution in the business field. They were women with a vision who came to the lime light with this honor, and felt the urge to share their ideas with other women. Thus, dawned a new chapter in history of women called AWAKE.

Ms. Madhura Chatrapathy, Ms. Kiran Majumdar, Ms. Lekha Chand, Ms. Shandrila Naidu, Ms. Indrajeet Sahani, Ms. Aban Minochar,Ms. Supanya Datta got together and formed AWAKE (Association of Women Entrepreneurs Karnataka)

AWAKE was inaugurated by Mr. S.R. Bommai, the then Karnataka Industries Minister along with Mr. B. Ratnakar, CMD Canara Bank & founder members.

Business counseling was the main service offered to the prospective women entrepreneurs. The membership was open to all women in business.

AWAKE organized the first workshop on food industry for women entrepreneurs. Dr. B.L. Amla , Director CFTRI, Mr. M.K. Panduranga Setty and Ms. B. Kamala GM Canara Bank along with office bearers.

AWAKE organized the National Conference of Women Entrepreneurs in coordination with the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (NAYE). This national event was inaugurated by the then minister Mr. Margaret Alva at Chowdiah Hall. The participants were from Kashmir to Kerala. For the first time an exhibition with the products made by Women Entrepreneurs was showcased.

First Entrepreneurship Development Program, the initial step was put into training activity. This was held at Power Development Center, Utility Building, Bangalore. 25 potential women entrepreneurs underwent training. This was followed by a string of training programs, awareness programs etc. related to EDP. All programs were sponsored by IDBI.

Grand inauguration of first EDP by Governor Venkatasuhhaiah and his wife.

The second EDP was conducted at Hubli outside Bangalore for the first time in co-ordination with Chamber of Commerce, Hubli and sponsored by IDBI.

EDP at Tumkur was conducted, sponsored by IDBI. 25 women took part in the training. AWAKE moved to the rented premises at Sadashivnagar. The staff at AWAKE increased to 3.

The First State Conference of Women Entrepreneurs was held at CFTRI Campus, Mysore. There were 200 delegates who participated from different states. Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly inaugurated this conference.

Second State Conference was held at Malnad Engineering College, Hassan, Karnataka. 300 delegates participated in the conference. Mr. Vijay Gore, IAS, Commissioner of Industries and Commerce inaugurated the conference. For the first time students from the technical field participated in the program. And again for the first time an entrepreneurship cell was set up to inaugural service with an interview of women entrepreneurs.

AWAKE moved into its own premises, B- 76, KSSIDC Industrial Estate, Rajajinagar, Bangalore-10. The place was donated by the Government of Karnataka on a 99 year lease.

US consulate, India invited the then President Ms. Madhura Chatrapathy of AWAKE to USA on an exchange visit.

The Research & Resource center was set up for documentation and studies with the support of CIPE, USA.

To support aspiring entrepreneurs, a Business Incubator for Food Processing, the first of its kind in Asia was set up with the support of USAID.

AWAKE was affiliated to Women’s World Banking, New York. WWB had 40 affiliates in 35 countries. They supported AWAKE by organizing number of orientation workshops for the sustainability of the organization, thus bringing in long term planning in AWAKE’s functioning.

AWAKE organized GOOD SHOW exhibition. KASSIA inaugurated its building with facilities to hold conferences.

AWAKE played a pivotal role in organizing the launch of “VISWA” program of Government of Karnataka at Kogilehalli inaugurated by then Prime Minister of India Sri. P.V. Narasimha Rao.

Ms. Madhura & then President Ms. Padma Sheshadri, the Secretary participated in the Global Conference at Italy

First retreat program Partnership Agreement & action plan, WWB, was organized for 2 days for the board members of AWAKE.

Credit reach for women entrepreneurs – Policy Practice Gap with reference to Collateral Security – A major study was published and Final report of ILO – Artep Study on technology transfer from India to Mozambique on Fruit Juice Processing and n leather training to Tanzania.

New administrative block along with the Training Hall was built with the loan assistance from SIDBI and grant from KSFC.

Launching of Rural Training Program under sponsorship of NORAD at Bijapur, Gulbarga, Mysore and Kundapur. More than 150 women got trained in these programs. The success rate was 65%.

The mantle of the leadership changed. Ms. Vatsala Prabhu took over as the President of AWAKE.

Ms. Sudha Prakash, then Vice President visited Philippines to participate in finalizing PAAP – Partnership Agreement / Action Plan for WIFE.

An Objective Oriented Project planning workshop was conducted by TOOL, Netherlands for members of AWAKE.

The first teleconference was organized at AWAKE connecting Bangalore with Boston on a hotline. Ms. Brigette Berger, Boston, editor of the book ‘The Culture of Entrepreneurship’, co-ordinated by Ms. Miriam E Guichard, Dy Consul, USIS.

For the first time 2 week EDP cum training program on food processing was organized.

Research & Resource Center was strengthened by TOOL, an organization from Netherlands.

AWAKE completed a decade of dedicated service to entrepreneurship. A mega event was organized at AWAKE premises at Rajajinagar. The then Small Scale Minister Mr. Sagir Ahmed inaugurated the decade celebrations. AWAKE had the privilege to honor some of its members & its friends from the network who had contributed to the growth of AWAKE. The developmental & financial Institutions who supported AWAKE were also recognized.

A National Workshop on Transfer of Productive Technology and Encouragement of entrepreneurship among rural women was organized under the sponsorship of UN APCTT. A tech book, the Facilitators hand Book and the Resource Book were brought out.

A regional workshop on Women in Business was hosted by AWAKE, organized by EDII sponsored by UNIFEM.

Two major studies with the grant in aid of Ministry f Processed food on Capacity utilization and Working Capital needs of Small scale food Industry was conducted.

Ambassador Sally A Shelton, Asst Administrator for global programs, USAID, Washington DC visited AWAKE.

AWAKE was the co host along with FWWB, Ahemadabad for the Asian Regional Conference at West End Hotel, Bangalore. 10 countries participated in the conference & AWAKE’s role in Business Development Services was appreciated.

AWAKE released ‘Neravigara Kaipidi’, a facilitator’s handbook in Kannada.

ILO sponsored International Trainers Training Program was conducted at hotel Rama, Bangalore.

AWAKE conducted the first Enterprise Learning Network (ELN) program under the aegis of WWB. This helped building linkages & network in garment industries. WWB provide a platform for our members to share, learn, experience in global & regional conferences.

AWAKE started working with like minded NGOs like RUDSETI, YVK, BIRDS, SEEDA and MYRADA

Ms. Padma Sheshadri took over as President of AWAKE.

AWAKE played host to the “Asia Regional Conference”.

AWAKE extended its activities to the rural sector with the Rural Industrialization Program (RIP) with the support from Department of Industries and Commerce (DIC), Government of Karnataka and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Under this project a series of awareness programs Entrepreneurship Development Programs were organized, followed by counseling, peer group support, and credit referral. The programs were conducted at Bijapur in 11 Taluks with the challenge of setting up of 100 units in three years.

Delegates from Women’s World Banking, Japan visited AWAKE. 16 participants from AWAKE had an opportunity to showcase their products and interact with buyers from Japan which provided confidence to the upcoming women entrepreneurs who had not had an opportunity to get into export marketing.

Students Ms. Lisette Reek, Mr. Roger, Mr. Kalkhoven, Mr. Troost from Netherlands came as study interns to AWAKE.

Business incubator was upgraded with addition of new machineries for encouraging the usage of Food Processing Facility. The facility was also extended to short- term users. Demonstration & skill development programs were provided continuously.

Two major organizations SIDA & LEVIS supported the Business Counseling & Management Development Programs for members to diversify and find new business opportunities.

Mr. Narayana Murthy, Chairman INFOSYS gave away the certificates for the successful participants who took part in the Managing Development Program at Hotel Capitol, Bangalore.

Winner Meet was organized by MDP.

AWAKE facilitated some of its members to the International Trade Fair at Colombo, Srilanka.

The 3 rd State Conference of Women Entrepreneurs was held at Bunt Sangha, Bangalore. The theme was Tradition to Technology. 700 participated from all over the state & from different parts of the country. Ms. Nancy Barry, President of WWB gave the key note address and Mr. Mohideen, Minihe country. Ms. Nancy Barry, President of WWB gave the key note address and Mr. Mohideen, Minister for Small Scale Industries inaugurated the conference.

The first print version of the Directory of Women Entrepreneurs was released. Ms. Ela Bhat, Chairperson of SEWA of Ahemadabad released the CD version of Business Directory conceptualized by Ms. Uma Reddy, Chairperson RRC. A 100 stall exhibition with sale of products was organized.

AWAKE was the co-host of the Global Conference organized by WWB at Ahemadabad. Mr. K.R. Narayan the then president of India inaugurated the Global Conference. More than 250 people participated in the Global Conference.

Launching of SADHAN Micro Credit Association of India on November 1998 at Ahemadabad. AWAKE is one of the founder members of this organization. There was an interaction by then Governor, Reserve Bank of India Dr. Bimal Jalan with regard to reaching micro credit to the poor women. AWAKE started networking with local cooperative banks to access credit to women in micro business.

EDP’s continued with Trainers Training Program conducted for different NGOs from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Asia Regional Conference was held at Manila, attended by then President Padma Seshadri and Training Director Ms. Prema. The book “Scaling up New Heights – Millennium Women” was released at Manila. Sponsored by Asia Development Bank (ADB)

The high power delegation from USA visited AWAKE coinciding with the visit of the then President of US Bill Clinton to India. Mr. Sam Gejdenson with his team visited AWAKE and interacted with AWAKEs members.

AWAKE received the prestigious international AGFUND award of $1, 00,000 (Arab Gulf Program for United Nations Development Organization). The AGFUND was given in three categories. The second category prize was won by Entrepreneurship promotion amongst Rural Women, implemented in INDIA by AWAKE. President Ms. Padma Seshadri received this award on behalf of AWAKE at Geneva. The dream of setting up a capitalization fund of 50 lakhs was fulfilled. This strengthened and motivated Awakeners to work more for the economic empowerment of women.

Ms. Geeta Shetty then took over as President of AWAKE.

A counseling center – Swabhimana was set up in Jayanagar. It conducted a workshop in IT Related business ideas.

Swashakthi was launched for rural women development and empowerment.

AWAKE conducted a one-day seminar on e-commerce to orient business women on how to incorporate e-commerce in their business. Prospects & challenges on IT industries were discussed.

The Rural Industrialization program with the support of SIDBI & DIC was launched in Shimoga district and relaunched in Bijapur district.

AWAKE conducted a one day training program on WTO – challenges & opportunities. The Kannada translation of “WTO- Its challenges & opportunities” was released.

The first Virtual Trade Mission between India & USA was conducted with the support of

Trade Builders Inc, USA, for entrepreneurs in IT products & services.

An Asia Pacific Convention of “Entrepreneurial women – Expanding business horizons for exponential growth” was organized. Governor Ms. Rama Devi inaugurated and Mr. Ravi Uppal, MD, ABB was the keynote speaker.

Design to win a One Day workshop was organized by AWAKE sponsored by SIDBI.

KAWAD, training in non land based intervention in Chinnagari watershed area, Molkalmuru Taluk was started & 533 SHG members trained.

AWAKE BAZAR was launched Palace ground to support marketing of products of women entrepreneurs along with training.

AWAKE received its ISO 9001 – 2000 accreditation from BVQI.

Ms. Uma Reddy, President, and Ms. Uma Prakash, Vice President met His Excellency Hon’ble President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in Rashtrapathi Bhavan and gave a presentation on AWAKE’s activities.

A 5 day Yashodarshana State level exhibition was organized supported by DIC in Dharwad, inaugurated by Ms. Rani Satish, Hon’ble Minister for Kannada & Culture.

A growth training program was conducted on International Women’s Day.

Mix ‘n Match 04, Asia Pacific Business – to Business Networking Forum For Women Entrepreneurs – A Gateway to Global Outsourcing Convention

VISION 2020 focus WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS – an Interactive Meet with His Excellency Dr. APJ ABDUL KALAM
Quote-unquote from the address of His Excellency Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Hon’ble President of India on the occasion of AWAKE’s celebration of its 20 years of Empowering Women through Entrepreneurship Development

As part of the ZDH partnership program, ZDH India organized to trade delegations to Munich & Bangkok in September 2004, for members of its partner organizations to promote networking among business Associations/ Chambers from the two countries which in turn will promote business development amongst the SME’s.

AWAKE conducted a series of Skill based Entrepreneurship Development Program from 27 th Nov’2004 to 21 st Jan’2004 at Gulbarga under the sponsorship of SWASHAKTI project of KSWDC. This program was conducted for the members of SHG’s from different taluks of Gulbarga.

AWAKE had organized exhibition through Rotary Club, Bangalore in association with Himalaya Drug Co., an event ‘Arogya – 2004 for Food & Healthcare products. 17 of our members participated in this event.

AWAKE got an opportunity to display women entrepreneur’s product in family mart, Kanakapura & Bangalore.

AWAKE attended the India International Trade Fair at Pragathi Maidan, New Delhi from 14 th to 27 th November’04 with the support of Industrial Development, Directorate of Industries & Commerce & VITC.

AWAKE & FICCI Ladies organization conducted a Two Day Workshop on “Access to Finance for Women Entrepreneurs” at hotel Atria, Bangalore on 2 nd 3 rd December 2005.

AWAKE celebrated its 22 nd Anniversary on 3 rd December 2005.

4 th State Level Conference Avishkara (Innovation), Alochana (interaction), Avalokana (introspection) was held on 17 th & 18 th of July 2006.

National Seminar on “Development of Rural Areas through Food Processing Industries” and Food Expo-2006 at Bagalkot from 24 th to 25 th June 2006.

Unnathi Capacity Building for SHGs in Port Blair from Sep 1 st to 5 th 2006.