A major international gathering aimed at boosting women-led enterprises and reinforcing long-term financial stability for female workers took place in Bengaluru on Wednesday, September 2nd. The 5th edition of the "Together We Grow" (Ogattagi Beleyona) seminar brought together leaders, policymakers, and business founders to address critical growth barriers faced by female entrepreneurs. Organised by the Ubuntu Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs' Associations alongside the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), the event coincided with International Women's Entrepreneurship Day under the central theme of "Connecting Women Entrepreneurs across the Globe." The initiative received official endorsement from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, reflecting a nationwide commitment to strengthening self-reliant women business networks.
Key Leaders and Chief Guests Gather in Bengaluru
The high-profile seminar featured prominent figures from government and financial sectors. Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar attended as the chief guest, endorsing the effort to build sustainable economic foundations for women. The leadership panel was headed by K Ratna Prabha, IAS (Retd.), Founder President of the Ubuntu Consortium, who guided discussions on expanding financial protection and commercial opportunities. Additional prominent participants included Sarbvir Singh, Joint Group CEO of PB Fintech, and Vishwajeet Goel, Head of Pensionbazaar. Their presence highlighted growing collaboration between grassroots entrepreneurship federations and modern financial platforms to drive structural change.
Driving NPS Awareness and Long-Term Financial Planning
A core priority of this year's convention was expanding access to formal retirement and investment instruments among female workers. Organisers partnered with financial entities to accelerate National Pension System (NPS) awareness and adoption across diverse commercial sectors. The agenda focused on cultivating a structured habit of disciplined, long-term savings among women, who frequently lack access to structured pension frameworks. By integrating financial literacy directly into enterprise development programs, the initiative seeks to ensure that economic growth translates into durable, lifelong security for female business leaders and their employees alike.
Empowering Enterprise Growth Beyond Metros
The Ubuntu Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs' Associations operates as an umbrella not-for-profit platform consolidating female business groups from across India. Created and led by K Ratna Prabha, a former Chief Secretary of Karnataka, the organization works to unite diverse regional committees and trade associations. This institutional unity streamlines assistance mechanisms and fosters collective bargaining strength for member enterprises throughout Karnataka and the broader national landscape. By acting as a unified voice, the consortium helps small-scale enterprise leaders overcome administrative hurdles, share operational resources, and gain access to broader regional and national markets.
Digital Transformation and Targeted Support for Small-Town Leaders
Addressing the specific challenges of regional entrepreneurs, Ratna Prabha emphasized that small-town business owners require focused assistance because they largely operate outside existing government welfare frameworks, apart from basic access to institutional bank loans. To bridge this structural gap, the consortium delivers comprehensive digital training that equips women with essential marketing tools, including targeted guidance on social media transformation. These targeted digital skill programs have already produced measurable success stories, allowing numerous female founders in smaller urban centers to expand their customer base, modernise operational workflows, and scale up their enterprises successfully.
