Intel’s Blood, Sweat and Money to go to Promote Women Owned Start-ups

If you are a woman entrepreneur, you are running a venture at an opportune time in the women empowerment movement. The latest addition to the bandwagon that wishes to leverage women owned tech businesses is Tech Giant Intel.

"We are also looking at investing in women owned (tech) startups, which is something we haven't done before. We will be doing this worldwide," Intel President Renee James told ET in an exclusive interview in New Delhi last week.

Intel, owned by women itself, is looking to increase diversity in the tech industry worldwide. In fact, in January, Intel had pledged $300 million towards the endeavour. James is spearheading the initiative within Intel.

This was her first visit to India. She met PM Modi and discussed the government's Digital India initiative and "what Intel could do for it."

Intel India had started laying the groundwork for this cause last year itself, with its first ever Supplier Connect Conference for women at its campus in Bangalore.

"This conference was to connect women owned businesses with Intel internal end users or buyers and explore potential opportunities to work with Intel directly or through Tier 1 suppliers," Debjani Ghosh, MD, Intel, South Asia.

Apart from PCs and chips, which still constitute the bulk of their business, Intel is also innovating with their attempts to integrate the fashion industry with the world of IT. Curie is their button sized module can be used to build wearables out of accessories like glasses, rings, bracelets, bringing information and data in one’s accessories.

"I see wearables as the consumer side of the internet of things. What are wearables? They are smart, connected devices for consumers," said James. "We've been in the BMW forever. We haven't been in eye glasses. Or bracelets.  Or Jewelry. We are still in the phase of experimentation," said James, flagging off an exciting time in the IT Research and Development sector.

Original: Economic Times

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