The Business Diva competition 2022 organized by GCCI Women’s Wing in association with FiiRE (Forum for Innovation, Incubation, and Research & Entrepreneurship) and powered by Geno Foundation was held on Saturday, 30th April, 2022 at the Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall in Panjim. The Chief Guest of the function was Usha Ramesh, Chief Regional Manager of Goa Regional Office, NABARD and Ralph De Sousa, President, GCCI was the Guest of Honour.
The Business Diva awards were conceptualized two years back and this was the third edition. There were three categories – Category 1 (Start Up- less than 2 years in business), Category 2 (Scale Up- more than 2 years) and Category 3 (Self Help Groups). The purpose of organizing Business Diva was to encourage women entrepreneurs with innovative businesses to get structured incubation at FIIRE, mentored by industry veterans, explore networking opportunities, and access to funding.
The judges for the final event were Dr Neena Panandikar, Principal Don Bosco Technical Institute, Tejashree Pai, CEO, Chowgule Industries, D S Prashant, CEO, FiiRE and Deepali Naik, Director, Women & Child Development.
The winners were Category 1 – START UP (Less than 2years in Business)
- Winner: Fruits of Hard Work –Liza Vianney Pinheiro
- Runners up: Financial Wisdom –Manalee Vernekar
Category 2 – SCALE-UP (more that 2years in Business)
1) Winner: Sevarat Health & Nursing Pvt Ltd – Rohini Gonsalves
2) Runner up: Funminds Learning Tech Pvt Ltd
Category 3 -SELF HELP GROUPS
1) Winner: Omkar Caterers – Shital Surendra Naik
2) Runner up: Anita Arjun Gaonkar
The event was sponsored by:
Geno Foundation, FiiRE (Forum for Innovation Incubation Research & Entrepreneurship) and supported by NSTEDB Division, Department of Science & Technology & GENO Foundation. The event was compered by Sonali Nagvekar, Member, Women’s Wing Committee and Poonam Shirsat, proposed a Vote of thanks. Also present at the Event was the Chairperson of GCCI –WW, Pallavi Salgaocar and Event Organizer on behalf of FiiRE, Ashlesha Noronha, Community Manager, FiiRE.