The Story of Women in Business
How a Cambridge-backed incubator in Thiruvananthapuram grew into Kerala’s largest network of women entrepreneurs.
Women in Business began as a spin-off from Women’s Business Incubation Program (WBIP), founded by Asha Jomis in Thiruvananthapuram in 2015. Supported by the Centre for India & Global Business at the University of Cambridge, WBIP was India’s first women-focused business incubator designed to help women turn their skills, ideas and ambitions into sustainable enterprises.
WBIP opens its doors
The programme offered entrepreneurs a comprehensive support ecosystem, including mentoring, workspace, access to finance, digital tools, market opportunities and connections with experienced business leaders. It supported early-stage ventures across sectors including media, fashion, food and technology, helping founders test ideas, reach customers, build networks and navigate government funding and entrepreneurship schemes.
Recognition, at home and beyond
The model developed through WBIP helped demonstrate the potential of dedicated incubation and entrepreneurial support for women at a time when such programmes were still emerging in India. Similar women-focused entrepreneurship and incubation models subsequently expanded across the country through government and institutional initiatives. WBIP and its founder also received recognition at the state and national levels for their contribution to advancing women’s entrepreneurship.
From incubator to network
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative evolved into Women in Business, expanding beyond incubation to create a wider network connecting and promoting women-led enterprises across Kerala. Today, Women in Business has grown into Kerala’s largest networks of women entrepreneurs, providing a shared platform for visibility, collaboration, learning, market access and business growth.
Watch the story unfold
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