FICCI FLO Kolkata, hosted an insightful and inspiring event at
ITC Sonar, Kolkata, featuring two prominent industry leaders—Rohit Bansal, the co-
founder of Titan Capital and AceVector group – a conglomerate that brings together
distribution channels, consumer brands, and SaaS platforms across the tech-enabled retail
ecosystem, and Dr. Aarti Gupta, a seasoned investment strategist and Chief Investment
Officer at Anikarth Ventures, where she drives investments in innovative early-stage
startups. For over 13 years, she has led her family office, and is committed to empowering
women entrepreneurs as the National Head for FICCI FLO Start-ups. The event, moderated
by Shradha Murarka, Chairperson of FLO Kolkata, focused on strategies for growth,
investment, women entrepreneurship and the future of the Indian startup ecosystem.
In a special initiative during the event, Shradha Murarka gifted 20 bicycles to
underprivileged girls from the Sundarbans, showcasing FICCI FLO’s commitment to social
responsibility and community upliftment. The initiative reflected FLO’s mission to
empower young girls by providing essential resources to improve their access to education
and opportunity.
Additionally, Project Anantya, a significant highlight of the event, was introduced,
underscoring FLO's dedication to skill development and empowerment. In collaboration
with Flo X Taj Stats, certificates were presented to 11 young women from the NGO
Ektara, who successfully completed a skill development training program. The project
aims to equip these women with professional capabilities, enhancing their confidence and
potential for brighter futures in their respective careers.
The discussions began with Rohit Bansal sharing his entrepreneurial journey and insights
on product market fit. Drawing from his experiences with Snapdeal, Bansal emphasized
the crucial role of identifying market gaps and aligning a disruptive product to market
needs. He elaborated on the importance of a founder’s ability to execute ideas effectively
and persevere through challenges, showcasing the value of failure as a learning tool in
entrepreneurship.
Dr. Aarti Gupta elaborated on the potential of startups, explaining how ideas that disrupt
the market, coupled with product market fit, a strong execution team, and passionate
founders, are key elements for success. She emphasized the importance of mentorship as
a pillar for startup growth, focusing on the challenges women face in accessing networks
and mentorship, and encouraging diversity in the ecosystem.
Both speakers discussed India's bullish prospects in the global startup landscape. They
referenced companies like Titan Capital and Mama Earth, noting that strong support
networks can drive startups toward remarkable growth. Additionally, Bansal and Gupta
stressed that mentorship plays an integral part in navigating the complexities of
entrepreneurship, while surrounding oneself with the right people is crucial.
Rohit Bansal further addressed the financial health of startups, urging entrepreneurs to
focus on sustainable growth rather than incurring unsustainable losses. He emphasized
that alongside product market fit, evaluating financial strategies is key to long-term
success.
The event concluded with an exciting segment where four young entrepreneurs were
invited to pitch their startups. Both Rohit Bansal and Dr. Aarti Gupta provided valuable
insights and advice, offering guidance to the next generation of entrepreneurs and
reinforcing the importance of mentorship and support in building successful ventures.
The event, sponsored by Sanctum Wealth, demonstrated the firm’s commitment to
fostering entrepreneurship and supporting initiatives that empower women in India. The
discussions and initiatives undertaken during the event underscored FICCI FLO’s dedication
to creating an inclusive and thriving startup ecosystem, especially for women
entrepreneurs.
"I am privileged to be part of FLO, which is at the forefront of driving change in the
entrepreneurial ecosystem. As women founders, investors, and leaders, we are shaping
industries and breaking barriers. FLO is empowering women to thrive and lead with
purpose, creating a future where we are pivotal drivers of economic and societal
progress." —Dr Aarti Gupta
“India's start-up ecosystem is making huge strides and is being watched globally with great
anticipation. For us to achieve our full potential, it is crucial to build robust & relevant
support systems for women powering Indian start-ups so that Indian start-ups can leverage
the full value of India's diverse and rich talent pool. We must recognise and encourage not
just the well-known start-ups but also thousands more who are building with immense
passion, fortitude and resilience. Startups are like fingerprints; no two are the same, but
each has the potential to leave a lasting impression. Met with FICCI FLO members in
Kolkata for an engaging exchange of views. —Rohit Bansal
“I am incredibly proud of what we achieved at our recent event. The insightful
conversations led by Dr Aarti Gupta and Mr Rohit Bansal were truly inspiring and gave our
audience a fresh perspective on entrepreneurship. Celebrating the hard work of 11 young
women who earned their culinary certificates through the collaboration of Taj SATS and
Ektara NGO was a deeply fulfilling moment. It’s initiatives like these that empower women
to step into their potential. Additionally, seeing the enthusiasm of the four women who
pitched their startups was a reminder of the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that FLO aims
to nurture. These moments reflect our collective mission to empower and uplift women
and girls, and I am honored to be part of such meaningful work”. – Shradha Murarka,
Chairperson FICCI FLO KOLKATA
About FICCI FLO
FLO was established in 1983, as a division of the Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce and Industry (FICCI) which is the apex body of industry and commerce in India.
As an All India Organization for women, FLO has 20 Chapters pan India – Ahmedabad,
Amritsar, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur,
Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Northeast, Pune and Uttarakhand, with its
Head Office in New Delhi. Our members are entrepreneurs, professionals and corporate executives.
