Organised by Rajagiri Business School and Rajagiri College of Social Sciences | October 12–14, 2026, Kochi
Entrepreneurship can be a powerful pathway to independence, confidence and economic empowerment. Recognising the potential of entrepreneurship to transform lives, Rajagiri Business School and Rajagiri College of Social Sciences organised the 5th Edition of the Widow Entrepreneurship Workshop from October 12 to 14, 2026. This specialised three-day training programme aimed to empower widows through practical skill-building, business knowledge and enterprise development.
The workshop brought together over 50 women entrepreneurs for an enriching learning experience, supported by eminent speakers, domain experts and student mentors from Rajagiri Business School and Rajagiri College of Social Sciences. The sessions covered a range of practical subjects, including food processing, retail business, business planning and strategies for starting an enterprise with minimal investment. The programme offered participants valuable insights into building sustainable businesses, identifying market opportunities and strengthening their entrepreneurial capabilities.
Gramodhaya Shares Insights on Scaling Businesses Online
As part of this meaningful initiative, Dojo Jose, Founder & CEO of Gramodhaya (GramRise Ventures Pvt. Ltd.) and Small Enterprise India (Aspre AEONINA LLP), was delighted to share insights with the participants through an engaging session on “How to Scale Up Your Business Online,” focusing on practical digital tools, e-commerce platforms and strategies to help women entrepreneurs expand their market reach and grow their businesses.
In today’s increasingly digital marketplace, having a good product is only the beginning. Entrepreneurs also need the right platforms, digital tools and marketing strategies to reach customers beyond their immediate local markets. The session highlighted how women entrepreneurs, rural producers, artisans, food processors and small business owners can harness e-commerce to expand their reach, strengthen their brands and unlock new growth opportunities.
Drawing on Gramodhaya‘s mission to connect rural entrepreneurs with wider markets, the session explored practical and accessible ways to begin and grow an online business.
Key topics included:
- Choosing the Right E-Commerce Model: Understanding the differences between online marketplaces, independent websites, social commerce and B2B wholesale platforms, and selecting the model that best suits the product, business goals and target customers.
- Leveraging WhatsApp Business: Creating a professional business profile, building an organised product catalogue, engaging directly with customers, managing enquiries and converting conversations into sales.
- Building Digital Visibility and Trust: Using Facebook, Instagram and Google Business Profile to showcase products, strengthen brand credibility and help potential customers discover a business online.
- Moving from Local Markets to National Visibility: Exploring how digital platforms can help entrepreneurs reach customers across India without investing heavily in physical infrastructure or establishing multiple retail outlets.
- Creating Value Through Branding and Innovation: Moving beyond raw materials towards value-added products, distinctive packaging, niche offerings and stronger brand positioning that can improve market appeal.
- Exploring B2B and Bulk Sales Opportunities: Understanding how digital channels can connect producers with wholesalers, retailers, hotels, restaurants, institutions and other business buyers.
- Preparing for Global Markets: Introducing the importance of product standardisation, quality packaging and export readiness for businesses aspiring to reach the Indian diaspora and international consumers.
The session also emphasised an important message: digital commerce is no longer just an opportunity; it is an increasingly important pathway for small businesses to grow, compete and remain sustainable. Entrepreneurs can start small, use affordable digital tools, learn from customer feedback and gradually expand their operations as demand increases.
An Engaging Interaction with Women Entrepreneurs
One of the most encouraging aspects of the session was the lively question-and-answer interaction that followed. Participants raised several questions about the e-commerce business model, online selling, market access and the practical benefits of joining Gramodhaya.
The discussion provided an opportunity to clarify how Gramodhaya supports rural entrepreneurs in bringing their products to a broader customer base and exploring new business opportunities through a dedicated e-commerce marketplace. Participants also showed interest in understanding the onboarding process, platform benefits and how online visibility could help them grow their businesses.
These conversations reinforced the importance of not merely introducing digital platforms, but also helping entrepreneurs understand how to use them effectively and confidently.
Gramodhaya: Bridging Rural Enterprise and Digital Opportunity
Gramodhaya, an initiative of GramRise Ventures Pvt. Ltd., is committed to empowering rural entrepreneurs, women-led enterprises, artisans, farmers, self-help groups (SHGs) and small producers by connecting them with consumers and business buyers through e-commerce.
By offering free vendor onboarding and a digital platform designed to improve product visibility and market access, Gramodhaya seeks to make digital commerce more accessible to entrepreneurs who may otherwise find it difficult to enter larger markets.
The participation in the Rajagiri Widow Entrepreneurship Workshop was an opportunity to share this vision with women entrepreneurs who are building businesses, strengthening their livelihoods and working towards greater financial independence.
Empowering Women to Build Their Own Success Stories
The three-day workshop was a valuable reminder that entrepreneurship is about much more than starting a business. It is about creating opportunities, developing confidence, building resilience and enabling individuals to shape a more secure future for themselves and their families.
Gramodhaya sincerely appreciates Smitha Nair, Rajagiri Business School and Rajagiri College of Social Sciences for organising this impactful initiative and providing a platform for knowledge-sharing, mentorship and meaningful interaction.
We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the programme and engage with such an enthusiastic group of aspiring and existing women entrepreneurs.
At Gramodhaya, we believe that every entrepreneur deserves the opportunity to grow. By combining local talent, digital innovation and wider market access, we can help women-led enterprises move beyond geographical boundaries and turn their entrepreneurial aspirations into sustainable businesses.
When women entrepreneurs grow, families prosper, communities become stronger and the rural economy moves forward.
