Women-led startups can now get grants from Sequoia Capital

<p>
Sequoia Capital India has launched a fellowship program for female founders of startups in Southeast Asia and India in an effort to encourage more women to become entrepreneurs.</p>
<p>
As part of the Spark initiative, Sequoia India will offer a US$100,000 grant to each of the 15 women entrepreneurs chosen, whose startups are at the pre-launch or pre-product-market-fit stage, the company said in a statement. </p>
<p>
Each founder will be matched with a startup founder from Sequoia India’s portfolio. The mentors will work closely with the female entrepreneurs over a 12-month period.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read:</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/latest-news/unicorns-bn-funding-indian-startups-rise-sans-chinese-money-104321.html">16 unicorns, $11bn funding: Indian startups rise sans Chinese money</a></p>
<p>
“Gender diversity is good for any society and every economy. Different perspectives, experiences, and points of view help drive innovation. By encouraging more women to start companies, we hope to increase the top of the funnel for all venture firms, including ours,” the Sequoia statement explained.</p>
<p>
Spark Fellowship recipients will also have access to select Surge sessions and support from Sequoia India specialists across hiring, legal, finance, product, technology, and marketing.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: </strong> <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/latest-news/google-cloud-eyes-thriving-indian-startup-ecosystem-amid-ipos-102729.html">Google Cloud eyes thriving Indian startup ecosystem amid IPOs</a></p>
<p>
The initiative will also include a monthly series of webinars, called Spark Talks, that feature women in leadership roles across the globe. Meanwhile, Spark Studios is made up of small group sessions with Sequoia India specialists.</p>