Alibaba.com announces online contest for women entrepreneurs

Alibaba.com recently announced an online contest ‘Empower Women, Enable Possibilities’ for female entrepreneurs worldwide. Women entrepreneurs in India can participate by sharing their entrepreneurial story where they describe their inspiration for their business idea and how their business has progressed. This web-based contest will honour one woman entrepreneur with one-on-one mentorships from five successful women entrepreneurs who have triumphed in their respective businesses. In addition, the winner will receive complimentary travel and accommodation for five nights to the U.S. and U.K.Shaherose Charania, CEO of Women 2.0, Shaa Wasmund, Founder of Smarta.com, Rieva Lesonsky, CEO of GrowBiz Media, Jacqueline Linder, CEO of LunchBots and Darshana Ubl, Country Director, Entrevo UK constitute the five women leaders who have partnered with Alibaba.com for this mentorship. The recent Gender Global Entrepreneurship Index ranked India 16 out of the 17-country analysis of conditions that foster high-potential for female entrepreneurship.

Last year, the total number of female registered users in India increased by 31% on Alibaba.com, which was a higher increase compared to the platform’s overall registered member growth of 22%. Many of these women look for role models and mentors to learn from; as such, Alibaba.com is giving one empowered female entrepreneur the opportunity to travel to the U.K. and the U.S. to meet with other successful entrepreneurial women.

Khalid Isar, Country General Manager, Alibaba.com India said, “We are very happy with the steady increase in the number of women entrepreneurs in India. From June to December 2012, Alibaba.com witnessed a stronger half-yearly growth in female registered users than of male (15% vs. 10%). We believe that constant growth and learning are essential for any entrepreneur and are optimistic that this campaign will encourage, support and guide women business owners grow their business.”

Prospective women entrepreneurs can enter the competition at www.alibaba.com/women. The submission deadline is Saturday, June 29th, 2013 at 12.31 pm. (IST)