2025 Women of Worth Summit: Event held to empower women entrepreneurs, offer resources

In honour of International Women’s Day, The Centre of Excellence for Women Entrepreneurs hosted the 2025 Women of Worth Summit on March 6 at the The Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture. The event aimed to empower women entrepreneurs and offer resources to recentre and grow their businesses.

The WOW Summit hosted a variety of stalls set up by women owned businesses, making it an ideal environment for networking.

Addressing an audience of entrepreneurs, Manasi Bidkar, chairperson, MCCIA’s Women Entrepreneurs Committee said, “Us women are mothers, daughters, sisters and wives. Among the responsibilities of these roles, there remains one constant: compromise.” She made the statement while discussing challenges women face in their journey as business owners.

Prashant Girbane, director general of MCCIA, Deepa Katdare, owner of Katdare Masale, Manjori Prasad Oak, founder of Dagina, Chinmayee Sumeet, director and actress, were among the panel of distinguished speakers.

When asked if her entrepreneurship was encouraged by family, Marathi actress Oak responded, “It is crucial for womens’ families to support their ambition. Once they step out into the world, women always support each other.”

While actress, director and writer, Sumeet reminisced on her journey in the industry. “Women often overlook their health, both physical and mental. In pursuit of their ambition, us women have to remember that rest is equally important and there is no shame in asking for help.”, the Checkmate actress stated.

The WOW Summit also hosted a panel discussion on environmental and social sustainability in business practices with Kamakshi Barve, founder and CEO of Barva Skin Therapie, Amita Deshpande, founder of reCharka and Swati Thorat, founder of Cotton Village.