India, 2020: Britannia Marie Gold, a 60+ year old favourite brand of homemakers and the 3rd largest biscuit brand in India, today at an all-virtual finale event announced the ten winners of its annual women entrepreneurship initiative, Britannia Marie Gold My Start Up campaign. Under the aegis of this initiative, the 10 winners were felicitated and awarded INR 10 Lakhs each to kick-start their business ventures. Britannia Marie Gold My Startup is a platform for aspiring homemakers to fuel their entrepreneurial dreams, become financially independent and transform themselves into job creators.
In addition to financial assistance, the current edition of the Britannia Marie Gold My Start Up initiative provides 10,000 homemakers access to India’s first-ever customized online skill development program, in partnership with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The online course imparts these homemakers with the necessary entrepreneurial skills, boosting their confidence as they take their first step towards a self-reliant future. Britannia is confident that many of the homemakers who undergo the skill development training will move on to become entrepreneurs.
Launched in February 2020, the 2nd edition witnessed, within a span of 3 months over 1.5 million applications from across the country and an overwhelming participation form 32 states and Union Territories. The means of entries was opened to include telephone call, web and WhatsApp. Over 25% of the entries came in via WhatsApp. Following weeks of deliberation by an external jury who mulled over lakhs of applications, the Britannia Marie Gold team shortlisted 50 finalists.
With the strict social distancing protocols being observed in the country, the company decided on a digital finale where all the finalists from across the country, presented from the comfort of their homes to an eminent jury comprising of entrepreneurs, media persons and a select leadership team from Britannia. The all-digital felicitation ceremony was also a powerful example of the company, brands and consumers effortlessly adapting to the new normal.
Mr. Gunjan Shah, Chief Commercial Officer, Britannia Industries Ltd. said, “This is a very important initiative for Britannia driven by one of our flagship brands, Britannia Marie Gold. In its current edition, the initiative is touching the lives of over 10, 000 women and their families and we are privileged to be able to do so. Britannia is committed to provide a platform for aspiring women entrepreneurs to present their business ideas and stand a chance to gain financial help and skill development to set off on their entrepreneurial journey.”
Mr. Vinay Subramanyam, Head of Marketing, Britannia Industries Ltd.said, “Becoming entrepreneurs enables our award winning homemakers to also become job creators who can transform many lives around them. One successful woman entrepreneur opens a wide window of opportunities for many, as was proven by our last year’s winners. We are delighted that through this initiative, we are introducing to the entrepreneurial world 10 more homepreneurs and skilling 10,000 homemakers to power their entrepreneurial journey. We strongly believe that when women become self-reliant and financially independent, entire families and societies and eventually, the country progresses.”
