Patna: An association for women entrepreneurs was launched on Sunday with an objective to turn business ideas into successful enterprises - beyond the stereotypical pickle- and papad-making ventures.

The Women Entrepreneur's Cooperative Society Association (WECS) will support women looking to start their own enterprises - by endorsing their products, funding them and helping them acquire necessary skills such as financial management, marketing and administration.

Initially, women in the age group of 20-30 years will be given mentoring and funding support through a network of investors, WECS officials said at the inauguration ceremony held at the Bihar Industries Association's conference hall.

The WECS search committee, divided in three groups comprising five members each, will visit different parts of the state to promote women-led enterprises at the village and block level. The association has 350 members and will further expand by including would-be and established entrepreneurs.

"The new age women entrepreneurs from Bihar do not want to limit themselves to achar (pickle) and papad making only," said Kalpana Kumari, founder president, WECS. "Women's start-ups can do well in other areas such as real estate, technology and education.

"Women entrepreneurs are already running their own businesses in art and crafts, garment making and electronics in Bihar," Kalpana said. "It was necessary to provide them a platform so that ideas can be converted into successful enterprises. The association would also provide a platform for successful enterprises run by women - to share their experience with those looking to start their own businesses."

WECS secretary Mamta Kumari said the focus will be on providing funding and training to women in rural areas. "We have established collaboration with incubation centres in Patna to provide them necessary training in finance and human resource management so that they could run their enterprises on their own," Mamta said.

Bihar Industries Association (BIA) president KPS Keshri, who presided over the inauguration event, said: "Women entrepreneurs should have cent percent knowledge about their products in order to acquire a firm grip in the market. The identification of customers and potential competitors is equally important."

He invited women entrepreneurs to avail the services provided by VenturePark, an incubation centre of the BIA that provides mentoring and financial support to entrepreneurs.

Bihar Vidyapeeth chairman Vijoy Prakash also invited women entrepreneurs to avail the services of the Atal Incubation Centre at the institution, established with aid from the Niti Aayog.

Alankar Motors chairman Narendra Kumar, Dr Ratna Purkayastha of Doordarshan Bihar and Mridula Prakash of the School of Creative Learning Patna also spoke at the event.