5 Reasons Hyderabad Is The Perfect Home For India’s Women-Led Startup Movement

SheThePeople is thrilled to host the 11th edition of its Digital Women Awards, a platform that brings together thousands of women leveraging digital to build impactful businesses. With the theme #LeadTheLeap, this milestone year brings the promise of elevating bold ideas, expanding access to opportunity, and celebrating the women who continue to push boundaries and accelerate progress in the digital world.

For the third year in a row, the Digital Women Awards has chosen Hyderabad as its host city, and this isn't a coincidence. Hyderabad proves why it is one of the most welcoming, future-ready, and supportive environments for women-led initiatives.

From the warmth of the community to the professionalism of the ecosystem, Hyderabad has created an environment where women founders receive not just encouragement but structured opportunities, funding pathways, mentorship, and access to high-quality networks.

The Digital Women Summit & Awards 2025, Powered by the Government of Telangana WE Hub & T-Hub, will take place on November 29, at The Westin Mindspace, Hyderabad. 

Click here to register now and join us.

Why Hyderabad Is The Hub For Women Entrepreneurs

1. A Catalyst for Women-led Businesses

Hyderabad is home to WE Hub, India’s first state-led incubator for women entrepreneurs, which plays a major role in helping supporting and mentoring

Speaking at the 10th Digital Women Awards in 2024, Sita Pallacholla, the CEO of WE Hub, said,“WE Hub provides help at every stage. You have got the support system available to you - whether it is mentorship in the early phase, legal support later, or any other guidance needed along the journey.”

2. T-Hub: An Innovation Hub and Ecosystem Enabler

T-Hub, Telangana’s flagship innovation hub, is one of India’s most influential platforms for nurturing startups. It supports founders with infrastructure, guidance, and networks.

Even though T-Hub works with all kinds of startups, it also runs special initiatives for women, including events like “Womenpreneurs”, where women founders get mentorship, visibility, and a chance to connect with investors and industry leaders. 

3. Systematic skill development programs

Hyderabad offers access to skill-development government programs like the Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme (ESDP), which provides basic training for individuals who want to start small businesses, covering financial literacy, product development, digital skills, and business management. 

While the scheme is not exclusively for women, many aspiring women entrepreneurs in Telangana participate in these trainings to build foundational skills.

At the DWA 2024, Jayesh Ranjan, Special Secretary, Telangana State, said,"If anything needs to be done foremost, it is to provide economic empowerment to women. In many traditional households, women are still undervalued just because they are financially dependent. So as a government, we are keen to bring economic empowerment to women."

4. Strong network of women founders

Access to strong professional networks is a key factor in enabling women in Hyderabad to build successful and scalable businesses.

In Telangana, platforms such as WE FoundHer connect women with angel networks, venture capital, and funds tailored to their business stage and sector.

Such programmes help women gain visibility, build confidence, and tell their business stories through curated events, mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities.  

By creating a space where women-led startups are celebrated and supported, Hyderabad strengthens the presence and impact of women entrepreneurs in India's startup ecosystem. 

5. Support beyond Tier-1 cities

WE Reach is one of WE Hub’s programmes aimed at helping women in smaller towns and rural areas enter the world of entrepreneurship.

The programme identifies women who have ideas but lack guidance, confidence, or access to resources, and provides them with training, mentorship, and basic business skills.

WE Reach helps women understand how to turn their ideas into real ventures by teaching them market research, financial planning, and product development in a very practical and accessible way.

By reaching women at the grassroots level, the programme ensures that entrepreneurship is not just for big cities but for every woman who wants to build something of her own.