Ijraset Journal For Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology
Authors: Swapnali Patil, Keshav Jaiwal, Prem Shinde, Tanmay Jain, Prof. Trupti Ghongade
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2024.64821
Certificate: View Certificate
The rise of digital technologies has revolutionized the business landscape, particularly in terms of accessibility and scalability for entrepreneurs. In India, the entrepreneurial ecosystem has historically been male-dominated, but recent trends indicate a significant increase in women-led startups. ShEO, a Flutter-based application, is designed to support and empower women entrepreneurs by providing a comprehensive platform for mentorship, funding, and resource access. The platform leverages matchmaking algorithms to offer a personalized feed, allowing users to connect directly with mentors and investors through short video pitches. This innovative approach not only bridges the gap between entrepreneurs and financial backers but also fosters a more inclusive and supportive ecosystem for women to scale their businesses. The app includes additional features such as a resource library, messaging system, and a dedicated section for funding opportunities, creating a holistic environment for business growth. This paper explores the impact of digital tools like ShEO in empowering women entrepreneurs, reducing barriers to entry, and promoting gender equity in the startup ecosystem.
I. INTRODUCTION
This document outlines the particular application of ShEO, made in consultation with the innovative and revolutionary Flutter framework. The application is a harbinger of an unprecedented solution that has been tailor-made for women-led startups according to their needs and challenges. This works because it addresses a critical and pressing need of granting women entrepreneurs access to crucial resources necessary for the scaling of their businesses. The access to crucial mentorship opportunities and relationship building with potential investors falls into this category. Such resources have been pivotal in overcoming the numerous and varied challenges women often face while they work diligently to properly scale their business models in this competitive environment. In the application building, a range of modern technologies was used for this task. They include SQL, SQLFlite, PHP, phpMyAdmin, Firebase, Hostinger, and REST APIs. The strategic use of these technologies would go to work on ensuring that the application's scalabilitiy is enhanced so that it would be efficient in hosting future growth. The strategic employment of tools and technologies aimed at building a more streamlined and effective environment in order to not only create avenues for women entrepreneurs but to also give them the liberty to thrive and be successful in their endeavors.
ShEO is a freshly released feed from the company which is completely focused and impeccably designed with well-tailored user requirement. This feed would be very selective with every different match, which could be used to efficiently align to meet every different individual user's distinct requirement. Following the latest advancement in matchmaking algorithms, this feed works in such an innovative way so that it smoothly integrates the person's interest as well as the specific business requirement to provide efficient enhancement of the overall user experience. Entrepreneurs who make video pitches are an extremely effective tool to ensure innovators are able to make direct contacts with sources of funding that are decidedly and genuinely interested in the concepts and ideas they are pitching. Moreover, this method of funding would also give a boost to the chances of receiving very useful mentorship, a factor that would be very valuable for the advancement and growth of the projects proposed. In addition, there is a strong promise that role-specific profiles carefully designed for abundant detail and specifically suited for entrepreneurs as well as investors will emerge. Finally, this careful design enables improved networking to take place through the unique user profile system created.
The messaging system can be termed as an interlateral medium through which its users can communicate freely and without any restriction amongst themselves for smooth communication. The resource library is probably one of the most precious tools that stand out from the rest, as it provides a variety of courses and extensive learning materials all aimed at providing necessary details and insights about the different activities behind the complex process of business development. In the funding section, it plays a fundamental role in helping entrepreneurs in their quest to find the ideal investments that support their business goals while helping them, step by step, prepare their applications for the finances they need to support and develop their ventures.
The diversified support served in a multi-dimensional way greatly helps serve capital that is crucial for growth and expansion of the startups in a highly effective as well as impactful way. ShEO is indeed taking the right step and making highly commendable progress towards critically and urgently solving the very needs of women entrepreneurs. This is being achieved by developing an all-round and nurturing digital ecosystem which actively works towards dismantling all barriers that halt access to resources like mentorship, networking.
In order to get the process streamlined for better user experience, it would turn to implementing more sophisticated algorithms of matching that have been specifically engineered to identify and align the most relevant as well as advantageous opportunities tailored for each particular user's distinct business stage and the particular nuances of their particular industry. Another good development here is the groundbreaking video pitching feature for which the entrepreneurs would be able to interpret their pitches in a form of communication so intense with the emotions and interest of the potential investors and collaborative partners.
ShEO plays an incredibly vital and important role in providing wholesale support to female entrepreneurs by actively 'facilitating and easing' their access to potential investors that are interested in helping their ventures. This crucial system of support is, therefore made feasible through a dedicated channel that allows these women to efficaciously build and nurture rich relationships not only with seasoned mentors but also potential investors that can help them gain mileage. As a direct consequence of this strong network, the prospects and opportunities for these women to become successful entrepreneurs are indeed multiplied infinitely and at a large scale. Moreover, other than the points mentioned above, it is strictly apt to say that an extremely diversified range of educational resources is readily accessible for one who actively seeks them. This encompasses a very large number of comprehensive and well- designed courses that can be imbibed upon by anyone, and which can give them knowledge that ameliorates and sharpens their business acumen more significantly, thereby enabling one to develop effective and feasible strategies.
And since the center of attention is on the very important facet of skill building, with a preconceived notion that the program has a separate module on funding, it, in turn provides entrepreneurs with the scope to delve deeper into their learning avenues. This dual utility does not just enhance their educational pursuits but also endows them with a form of capital that is very significant for them in the sense of development and true future expansion.
From a technological perspective, ShEO's implementation of Flutter offers an experience that is not only effortless but also highly productive to users on both Android and iOS. This strategic use of the specified framework is broadly recognized as that which enhances user engagement significantly while allowing for the smooth uniform operation of the application across various operating systems. In reality, the backend technologies being used in this application include PhpMyAdmin, Firebase, and REST APIs, which can play an incredibly significant role in achieving the eventuality of optimum performance with robust security and scalability to meet future demands.
Furthermore, MySQL and SqlFlite are implemented purely for the management of a database such that the processes of these will operate at peak efficiency, thus ensuring the highest level of security possible for all user data stored and accessed within the system. These advanced technologies play an important role in guaranteeing that the user's data is stored in the most secure manner, yet is readily available when needed.
Summary In a nutshell, the ShEO initiative works as an all-inclusive and total solution tailored to drive women entrepreneurs in a deep sense of empowerment. It is not only about the empowering of these women but putting them in a whole and total equipment with a wide range of highly imperative tools, contacts, and resources. All these are planned in an appropriate manner to help them meet the various needs that would finally allow them to scale up their businesses in a successful manner and fully allow them to thrive in their entrepreneurial ventures.
The highly diverse and eclectic array of different features that have been so carefully designed to meet the singular needs and interests of the participants included in—such features include content that has been so intentionally crafted and tailored just for those who are participating, dynamic videos pitches that capture attention, effortless networking opportunities structured to bring together meaningful and lasting relationships among the participants included, among others such offerings—ShEO properly instills and brings about an ideal atmosphere highly conducive to the collaboration and mutual support of all the parties involved. It is in this unique and niche environment that, exceptionally, encourages, empowers, and nurtures women- led startups by offering them a spectrum of tools and resources uniquely designed to drive their success in every possible manner. In short, the platform plays a very important and instrumental role in recognizing, addressing, and filling major gaps in innovation and opportunities that are currently missing in the highly competitive, fast-changing, and business-intensive business landscape of today.
II. LITERATURE SURVEY
The paper [1] describes a web-based platform designed to connect startups with investors, leveraging deep learning techniques to predict investment returns. Startups can showcase their business plans, products, and financial projections, while investors explore various opportunities and receive data-driven investment predictions. The platform uses K-Nearest Neighbor clustering, linear regression, and artificial neural networks to analyze historical data, market trends, and startup performance. This approach helps investors make informed decisions and provides startups with increased visibility. The platform fosters collaboration between investors and startups, aiming to streamline the investment process and support ecosystem growth.
The paper [2] analyzes the role of digital platforms in supporting women's entrepreneurial ventures by enhancing their access to social capital. It highlights the significance of online networks in helping women entrepreneurs gain essential resources, which contribute to business growth. The research emphasizes the importance of digital tools in empowering women and creating entrepreneurial opportunities in both urban and rural settings.
The paper [3] explores the challenges and opportunities faced by women in technology entrepreneurship, focusing on the role of digital literacy. It identifies how access to digital platforms can enhance women's entrepreneurial success by offering technological solutions that break down traditional barriers. The research also calls for policy interventions to improve women's access to digital resources and education in technology fields.
The paper [4] provides an overview of the growing digital startup ecosystem in India, particularly focusing on women entrepreneurs. It identifies the key hurdles faced by women in building and scaling their startups, such as limited access to capital and mentorship. The study suggests several policy recommendations that could further strengthen the support system for women entrepreneurs in the digital domain.
The paper [5] presents an intelligent algorithm designed to optimize update predictions in social media feeds. The algorithm selects efficient methods to deliver real-time content to users, based on their interaction history. This model improves content relevance and reduces computational costs, enhancing user satisfaction and platform performance.
The paper [6] offers a comprehensive overview of machine learning algorithms and their real-world applications across various domains. The study explores the strengths and weaknesses of algorithms such as decision trees, random forests, and support vector machines, providing guidance for selecting the most appropriate models in different scenarios. The paper also identifies promising directions for future research in the field of machine learning.
The paper [7] enhances user matchmaking algorithms by incorporating Personalized PageRank, which improves the accuracy of matching users with similar preferences and interests. The algorithm processes historical data and user interactions to offer more personalized recommendations, applicable in social networking and e-commerce platforms.
The paper [8] investigates the effectiveness of government initiatives in supporting women entrepreneurs in India. It provides a detailed analysis of various programs aimed at empowering women through financial aid, training, and mentorship. The research highlights the barriers women face in accessing these resources and offers policy recommendations to improve the efficacy of such initiatives. The paper [9] examines the current landscape of women entrepreneurship in India, focusing on cultural and societal challenges. It provides insights into how gender biases and traditional roles impact women’s participation in the entrepreneurial sector. The research suggests strategies for increasing women’s representation in business and fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial environment. The paper [10] highlights how mobile technology is transforming the entrepreneurial landscape for women in Tanzania. It discusses the role of mobile platforms in improving access to business tools, markets, and networks for women entrepreneurs. The study presents an architectural framework designed to support women-led businesses through digital solutions tailored to local needs. The paper [11] explores the identity negotiation process of women entrepreneurs in international technology startups, using a case-based approach. It discusses how female founders navigate gender and cultural challenges while building and scaling their businesses in global markets. The research offers insights into the unique experiences of women in the tech startup space. The paper [12] focuses on how women entrepreneurs adopt mobile applications to ensure the sustainability of their businesses. It highlights the importance of integrating digital tools into business processes to improve efficiency and long-term success. The study provides examples of successful mobile app adoption among women entrepreneurs and its impact on business growth.
III. CONCEPT OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
A woman entrepreneur, therefore, refers to a female who takes the initiative to form, structure, and manage the affairs of a business with the apparent objective of attaining economic independence. Such entrepreneurs end up coordinating family, personal, and business roles. This further means that women entrepreneurs have an important and highly vital role to play in furthering economic development and innovation in differing sectors.
An enterprise owned by women in India is specially defined as a kind of business organization where the woman must have, at no less than 51% share or investment financially. Furthermore, such a definition requires that in fact, such business must provide employment for minimum 51% of the workforce as women. This emphasis draws special focus on the important roles played by women not just as owners but also as indispensable decision-makers in such organizations.
This is mostly taking place in the emerging economies like India where women are entering various sectors and breaking the barriers of entrepreneurship as dictated by culture and traditional setup. They are not only creating employment avenues but also large and medium enterprises and advancing technology.
Indeed, recent advances in digital technology have empowered women entrepreneurs in ways unprecedented to date, giving them enormous new tools and resources with which to innovate, scale up, and effectively tap into global markets in ways easier than ever before. Equally important, government support is vital in this regard because governments around the world continue to be significant catalysts for female entrepreneurship-gender equality and, it's worth mentioning, inclusive economic growth across sectors.
Societies unlock the full potential of its members if they actively encourage women to take entrepreneurial ventures and join the successful ranks of business owners, recognizing them as the key agents of change and development in their communities and economies.
IV. CONCEPT OF DIGITAL STARTUPS
In the last few years, digital technologies have shown a remarkable evolution and a speedy growth rate, incorporating diverse innovations and developments, including social media, big data analytics, cloud computing services, and mobile computing capabilities. This transformation has dramatically changed the entrepreneurial world, altering how businesses are conceived and executed. Those start-ups in particular, which focus on innovation and exploit wisely the immense opportunities that develop from information technology, are known as Digital Startups. They can be termed as any type of business concepts or projects undertaken to produce profit along with the efficient use of information technology in diverse applications related to business in every sense.
Digital startups primarily depend on digital technology for the development of new business models and enhancing operational efficiency, and for engaging customers and other stakeholders through digital channels, while refining business intelligence.
V. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
VI. METHODOLOGY
This methodology outlines the development of a scalable parking management system utilizing PHP and SQL, complemented by cloud infrastructure and DevOps practices. The following steps were undertaken:
VIII. SUCCESSFUL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN INDIA
The new generation of women has broken through barriers and shown remarkable success in the world of entrepreneurship. Their stories of achievement continue to inspire and have transformed the digital landscape into a global platform full of opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. These trailblazing women have become icons, lighting the way for millions of others across the country, proving that no challenge is too great to overcome.
Suchita Salwan |
Founder & CEO |
Little Black Book- Online portal which shares and discovers local businesses across categories of food, shopping, events and activities through community driven recommendations |
Falguni Nayar |
Founder & CEO |
Nykaa-Mumbai-based multi-brand beauty retailer selling cosmetic and wellness products. |
Sabina Chopra |
Co-Founder & EVP Operator |
Yatra.com- One of India’s most popular online travel portals |
Richa Kar |
Founder & CEO |
Zivame-It is India’s largest online lingerie |
|
|
shopping portal for women at lowest price. |
Upasana Taku |
Co-Founder |
Mobikwik-It is a mobile phone based payment system and digital wallet |
Sairee Chahal |
Founder & CEO |
SHEROES-World’s largest women's community platform, offering support, resources, opportunities and interactions via Sheroes.com and the SHEROES App. |
Radhika Aggarwal |
Co-Founder & CBO |
ShopClues- India's first online shopping portal that connects buyers and sellers online and offers a trusted and safe online shopping environment. |
VIII. MOTIVATING FACTORS FOR WOMEN TO ESTABLISH DIGITAL STARTUPS
Women have always played a significant role in the social, political, and economic fabric of India. By modernizing this role and shaping it into entrepreneurial ventures, the country has witnessed numerous structural and transformational changes. Inspired by a growing community of successful women entrepreneurs, NITI Aayog has introduced the ‘Women Entrepreneurial and Innovation Cell.’ This initiative provides financial assistance, including a substantial Rs. 10,000 crore under the Fund of Funds scheme, along with the Mudra micro-loan scheme and mentorship opportunities. Additionally, both governmental and non-governmental organizations are increasingly recognizing women's contributions to economic growth by launching various programs managed by different departments and ministries.
Here are some key factors that motivate women entrepreneurs to embark on their startup journeys:
IX. ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN THE DIGITAL MARKET
Many women have successfully established well-known brands in the digital landscape, fueled by innovative business ideas. Last year alone, approximately 1,800 startups entered the market, capturing the interest of numerous women across the nation. While women have remarkable potential to thrive as entrepreneurs, they often face significant financial and social challenges that hinder their ability to seize these opportunities. Here are some key obstacles that women entrepreneurs commonly encounter:
IX. SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE DIAGRAM
Fig 1. System Architecture Diagram
Real-Time Messaging is facilitated using Firebase, allowing seamless communication between users.
The ML Recommendation System API processes data to offer personalized suggestions to users, enhancing their overall experience on the platform.
IX. FUTURE WORK
In conclusion, the ShEO application is a transformative platform designed to empower women-led startups by connecting them with mentors, investors, and essential resources. Through its innovative features such as personalized feeds, video pitching, and direct messaging, ShEO fosters a supportive community that addresses the unique challenges faced by women in business. By enhancing user experience and accessibility, the platform promotes diversity and inclusion in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. As ShEO continues to evolve, it holds the potential to create a lasting impact on the success of women entrepreneurs, helping them navigate their journeys and scale their businesses effectively.
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Copyright © 2024 Swapnali Patil, Keshav Jaiwal, Prem Shinde, Tanmay Jain, Prof. Trupti Ghongade. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Paper Id : IJRASET64821
Publish Date : 2024-10-25
ISSN : 2321-9653
Publisher Name : IJRASET
DOI Link : Click Here