Initiative to accelerate women-founded tech startups in business transformation and innovation
In a strategic push for diversity and innovation, SAP Labs India, Deloitte, and Arise Ventures have announced the launch of the 2025 Startup Studio Cohort, a program designed to identify, support, and accelerate high-potential, women-founded and women-led tech startups. The initiative focuses on startups operating in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Retail and Government & Public Services (G&PS) sectors.
“Diversity is a powerful multiplier of innovation.” – Sindhu Gangadharan, MD, SAP Labs India
The six startups selected for this year’s cohort are AgriPilot.ai, MedySeva, Intelekt AI, Prodoc AI, Avysh, and QpiAI. These startups will receive mentorship, go-to-market (GTM) support, and access to a vast network of industry leaders and investors, enabling them to build scalable business models and drive digital transformation across industries.
Empowering Women in Tech Innovation
The cohort aims to address the underrepresentation of women entrepreneurs in the technology sector while driving business impact through digital solutions. By integrating SAP’s enterprise technology leadership, Deloitte’s industry expertise, and Arise Ventures’ startup ecosystem knowledge, the program will provide founders with structured guidance, strategic mentorship, and commercialization resources.
“Startups are at the forefront of business transformation.” – Romal Shetty, CEO, Deloitte South Asia
Highlighting the importance of diversity in tech, Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director, SAP Labs India, stated:
“Technology startups in India are not just transforming business processes but redefining industries at scale. As AI-driven innovation continues to grow, it is essential to have diverse perspectives to ensure accurate and bias-free outcomes. At SAP Labs India, we believe diversity is a powerful multiplier of innovation, and through this initiative, we are empowering women-led startups to shape the future of technology.”
Romal Shetty, CEO, Deloitte South Asia, emphasized the role of startups in business evolution, adding:
“Startups are at the forefront of business transformation, and with this initiative, we aim to equip women-led ventures with industry insights and leadership access. Our goal is to enable them to develop innovations that fuel sector-wide growth and create lasting impact.”
Ankita Vashistha, Founder & Managing Partner at Arise Ventures, reinforced the commitment to fostering women entrepreneurs, stating:
“At Arise Ventures, we are investing in early-stage tech startups and providing them with the tools, networks, and mentorship to scale. This initiative ensures that women-led startups don’t just participate in the future of tech but define it.”
Driving Business Impact and Digital Transformation
The Startup Studio Cohort aims to streamline digital adoption, improve operational efficiency, and accelerate market access for the selected startups. A structured evaluation framework will ensure their solutions drive measurable business outcomes, such as cost optimization and efficiency improvements, while supporting their long-term growth and sustainability.
“Women-led startups don’t just participate in the future; they define it.” – Ankita Vashistha, Founder, Arise Ventures
By merging enterprise technology expertise with startup-driven innovation, SAP Labs India, Deloitte, and Arise Ventures are shaping a more inclusive and diverse startup ecosystem that fosters transformation across industries.
