About AWAKE
Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka (AWAKE) is one of India's premier institutions for women totally devoted to Entrepreneurship Development. Established in 1983, AWAKE's success has been recognised worldwide, AWAKE was an affiliate of Women's World Banking — New York for Business Development Services.
AWAKE – A Legacy of Empowerment
Every woman holds the potential to reshape her world. When united, women possess the extraordinary power to create lasting change for society as a whole. The Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka (AWAKE) stands as a testament to this vision. Founded by seven trailblazing women entrepreneurs, AWAKE was established with the goal of building a dynamic community of women entrepreneurs, empowering them to embark on successful entrepreneurial journeys and supporting them in achieving long-term success.
In its early days, AWAKE began by offering business counselling to aspiring women entrepreneurs. Over time, the organization expanded its initiatives, introducing programs like Entrepreneurship Development Training, Entrepreneurship Awareness programs, and Skill Training Workshops. These efforts not only inspired women to pursue entrepreneurship but also motivated many to become official members of AWAKE, fueling a growing network of empowered businesswomen.
AWAKE soon evolved into a thriving platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, leading to the creation of a Research and Resource Centre in Bangalore, dedicated to supporting industries such as food processing. This centre has become a cornerstone in AWAKE’s mission to foster innovation and growth for women-led businesses.
Business Incubator for Food Processing
- AWAKE’s Business Incubator, the first of its kind in Asia, supports the development of women-owned enterprises in food processing.
- Products manufactured can be labeled with FPO License.
- Equipped with clean, hygienic environment and user-friendly equipment for food processing, packaging, and labeling.
- The facility can be utilized by women entrepreneurs for a period of one year by signing an MOU. Facility available for shorter periods and for daily usage sampling.
- Services of a food technologist on request, training in food processing, product development, standardization, labeling, packaging, and management of the food industry are provided.
Awarded
AWAKE has garnered numerous accolades for its exceptional work in women’s empowerment. Notably, the organization was honored with the prestigious International AGFUND (Arab Gulf Program for United Nations Development Organisations) Award for promoting entrepreneurship and self-reliance among rural women. In addition, AWAKE received the esteemed Kittur Rani Chennamma State Award for 2012-13, recognizing its outstanding contributions to empowering women through entrepreneurship development. These accolades reflect AWAKE’s continued dedication to uplifting women and fostering sustainable growth through its various initiatives.
Mission
Empowering women through entrepreneurship development to improve their economic condition.
Vision
- To work as a team towards a shared objective to reach a greater number of women through the program of AWAKE.
- Develop a suitable membership program to increase the member base and also to encourage members to be more.
- Policy advocacy with strong force of women entrepreneurs to influence policy makers.
- To provide need based quality services to clients.
- To promote entrepreneurship among women and thereby empower them to join the economic mainstream.
- To enhance the status of women in the society, by creating a culture of entrepreneurship amongst women in both rural an urban areas.
- To develop successful models of entrepreneurship for emulation worldwide.
AWAKENERS have a set of cherished notions and beliefs, which guide every move that the organisation makes.
- Volunteerism (of the members).
- Transparency.
- Commitment.
- Integrity in program and budgeting.
- Learning and sharing from others, network and exposures
- Pride and value in AWAKE's representation.
- Participatory environment.
- Entrepreneur guiding Entrepreneur through voluntary efforts of successful women entrepreneurs adopting professional tools of counselling, training, handholding and peer-group support.
- Creating, establishing and implementing a complete approach for empowering aspiring women entrepreneurs.
- All women from urban, rural, national and international aspiring to be socially and economically self-reliant, irrespective of their academic, social and economic backgrounds
- All women entrepreneurs seeking guidance to grow
- AWAKE's clientele comprise of 90% women, 60% rural, of which 50% belong to low income
- NGO's engaged in income Generation Activities & Entrepreneurship Development
- Youth with innovative ideas seeking support and guidance
AWAKE is an Organization-ISO 9001-2015 accredited, not for profit registered Society. It is exemptfrom Income Tax under Sections 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act, India.
- Executive Committee (EC) : A 15 member executive committee elected by the General Body bi-annually is responsible for all policy decisions and planning the activities.
- Office Bearers : 5 office bearers-elected by the Executive Committee-President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Jt. Secretary.
- Internal Committee : Sub committee chaired by an EC member to manage each project/activity of AWAKE.
International Agencies : ADB, APCTT, APO, CBI, CIPE, FES, GFW, ILO, NORAD, SIDA, TOOL, USAID, WWB, ZEH, GIZ, ELLIOT, BOSCH, and IBM play significant roles. Additionally, other international stakeholders include Intel, HP, and the British Council,