What Drives Us
We believe women entrepreneurs will lead Bharat's next wave of growth if they are seen, supported, and scaled.
Dhanotsav is India's first national reality series and digital platform dedicated entirely to rural women entrepreneurs. Here, we bring you real-life stories from women in India's small towns and villages. On this platform, women present their business ideas to the world, receive training from experts, and compete to win grants. Our goal is to identify the talent hidden in every village, digitally and economically empower them, and provide them with a national platform where they can carve out their own identity.
We believe women entrepreneurs will lead Bharat's next wave of growth if they are seen, supported, and scaled.
A Bharat where every woman entrepreneur is seen, backed, and empowered.
To scale women-led entrepreneurship by combining powerful storytelling with access to mentorship, markets, and capital.
In India, approximately 30 million women run small and micro-enterprises. Despite this, due to a lack of information and the absence of a suitable platform, most of these women are unable to secure bank loans or connect with the digital marketplace.
Dhanotsav addresses this gap. We not only provide training but also build a strong bridge between rural enterprise and urban markets.
Our focus rests on two key pillars - Skilling and Visibility.
From training to becoming pitch ready to getting grants for scaling your business, here is a step-by-step way of application and selection.
Women entrepreneurs are identified through grassroots outreach and partner networks.
Participants receive hands-on training in business fundamentals, storytelling, and pitching.
Top entrepreneurs are selected to pitch on DhanotsavтАФa national storytelling platform.
Winners and participants gain access to mentorship, grants, and market linkages.
Season 1 features a pitch series with 9 women entrepreneurs from Jhansi. Each participant presents her business, financials, and growth plans to a panel of judges and receives feedback. At the end of the season, 3 winners are selected and awarded grants to support their ventures.
The series aims to bring visibility to rural women entrepreneurs, inspire other women to pursue entrepreneurship, and build wider awareness of their potential and challenges.
Dhanotsav amplifies these stories through a pitch reality series that captures the personal and professional journeys of rural women entrepreneurs. The winners of the first season were honored in felicitation ceremonies held in their own villages. To deepen the impact, VIEW workshops have also been conducted across villages and universities.
You can apply as an entrepreneur, partner as an organization, or support the movement by watching, sharing, and amplifying it.
Any woman entrepreneur from a rural area or small town with a business idea or an existing venture can apply.
All sectors are welcome - including agriculture, handicrafts, food, services, retail, and more.
No. Early-stage ideas, small businesses, and growing ventures are all welcome.
Shortlisted participants go through training, mentorship, and pitch preparation before presenting their business on the platform.
Yes. Participants receive training in digital literacy, financial management, and business storytelling.
Click on the Season 2 registration tab on the website, fill the form, and submit your video-recorded pitch.
The jury selects entrepreneurs for grants based on innovation, business potential, community impact, and commitment as the criteria for pitch selection.
Organizations can partner as CSR sponsors, ecosystem partners, or market enablers to support women entrepreneurs.
Partners gain access to high-potential grassroots entrepreneurs, visibility, and the opportunity to drive meaningful social and economic impact.
Yes. Industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and domain experts can join as mentors to guide participants.
To create a Bharat where every woman entrepreneur is seen, supported, and scaled, with access to opportunity and recognition.
Follow Dhanotsav on social media and digital platforms to stay updated on new seasons, stories, and opportunities.
You can watch all episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B52025