Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
In a world where women entrepreneurs face unique challenges, Avneet Kohli is on a mission to level the playing field. Through Encubay, she’s built a global ecosystem that empowers women by providing access to funding, mentorship, and networks that are essential for scaling successful businesses. In this interview, Kohli shares insights into the barriers women entrepreneurs face, why many startups fail, and how Encubay is paving the way for a future where gender no longer limits entrepreneurial success.
- What unique needs and challenges do women entrepreneurs have? How does Encubay resolve the same?
While entrepreneurship ideally should be gender-neutral, the statistics tell a different story. Women face significant barriers such as—gaps in access to funding, limited networks, and unique societal expectations. In fact, studies show that women entrepreneurs secure less than 4% global venture capital in funding on average and are often underrepresented in investor networks, which can be pivotal in the early stages of a business.
Encubay recognizes these disparities and is dedicated to build targeted and integrated SHEcosystem tailored to women’s unique needs providing access to mentorship, investor networks, resources and global opportunities that are designed to bridge these inequities. By building this global ecosystem, currently active in India and UAE we empower women to overcome the structural barriers that have historically limited their growth potential and find all that they need in one place.
By enabling women to Scale, Raise capital, and go Global, Encubay is paving the way for a future where entrepreneurship can indeed be gender-neutral, backed by an environment that offers equal opportunities for all.
- Why do 90% of startups fail, and what are some common mistakes? In your experience, what are the key factors that differentiate successful women-led startups from those that struggle?
Startups fail for various reasons: insufficient planning, unclear goals, poor market understanding, and limited financial resources are among the most common. For women entrepreneurs, these challenges can be compounded by additional barriers, such as limited access to networks and funding or even self-doubt, all of which can impede growth.
At Encubay, we take a hands-on approach by working closely with small cohorts, where we act as an extended founding team. This allows us to support each founder in building a strong business foundation, pairing them with industry-specific mentors, and helping them tackle challenges as they arise. Our model fosters collaboration, strategic growth, and the development of a support network that helps these entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls and build businesses that are not only resilient but poised for long-term success.
- Entrepreneurship is risky and keeps many on the fence. What are your thoughts on the risks of building a business? What is the up and downside of entrepreneurship in your opinion?
Entrepreneurship inherently the stakes are high as the outcomes are uncertain. But with risk comes the potential for reward and the opportunity to shape something unique. Many step into entrepreneurship for freedom which they soon realise is furthest from the truth. Entrepreneurship demands a high level of commitment, resilience and the ability to handle setbacks, sometimes on a personal level.
However, the upside is equally powerful. Entrepreneurship offers the freedom to turn your vision into reality, the chance to innovate, and the satisfaction of creating something of your won that has lasting impact. You build skills, grow networks, and develop an adaptability like no other. At Encubay, we focus on helping entrepreneurs minimize risks by equipping them with mentorship, resources, and peer support, so they can navigate challenges and capitalize on the upsides of entrepreneurship more effectively.
- As a Life and Business Vision Coach, what mindset shifts do you believe are essential for entrepreneurs to be successful?
Clarity is everything. I believe the most critical mindset shifts for entrepreneurs are centered around clarity, purpose and resilience. Also, entrepreneurs must embrace that failure is not the end but rather a part of the process.
Another crucial mindset shift is goal-setting. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day demands of entrepreneurship, so I always encourage my clients to break down their long-term goals into actionable steps. By keeping a clear vision of where they’re headed, and have accountability entrepreneurs can stay focused even when the road gets tough.
- What trends are emerging in the startup world, and how can entrepreneurs leverage them for success?
Emerging trends highlight the shift toward sustainable, impact-driven entrepreneurship, with consumers and investors prioritizing companies that focus on social impact, environmental sustainability, and ethical technology. Entrepreneurs who align with these values can stand out in a competitive market.
Startups are leveraging technologies like AI, blockchain, and data analytics to streamline operations and create new revenue streams. Early adoption of these tools helps businesses scale quickly and maintain a competitive edge.
Community-driven growth is another key trend, as consumers seek brands that foster belonging and add value beyond products. Entrepreneurs are building strong communities around their businesses to drive engagement.
Lastly, the globalization of startups is expanding opportunities. With access to digital platforms and international networks, entrepreneurs can explore global markets and partnerships, enhancing their potential for success.
- Many founders struggle with balancing vision and practical execution. How does Encubay support entrepreneurs in creating sustainable, impactful growth strategies?
At Encubay, we understand the challenge of balancing big vision with practical execution. Many entrepreneurs are passionate about their ideas but struggle to turn them into strategic and actionable outcomes. We support them by offering personalized mentorship, hands-on guidance, and access to a network of experienced professionals who help bridge the gap between vision and execution.
We work closely with small cohorts of founders, serving as an extended founding team. This approach helps founders refine their business models, tackle immediate challenges, and prioritize long-term goals.
- Encubay has grown significantly in a short period. How does Encubay differ from traditional support networks?
What truly distinguishes Encubay is its deep, personalized approach to building women led businesses. Encubay acting as an extended founding team, ensures that each founder receives the focused attention and tailored support they need. This creates a level of accountability and trust that helps accelerate their business growth and development.
Another differentiator is our global outlook, where we actively facilitate cross-border collaborations and market expansion. Our connections in India, the UAE, and beyond, enable founders to tap into international opportunities, markets, and funding, giving them an edge in today’s interconnected world. This global vision makes Encubay not just a local support system, but a catalyst for international growth.
Unlike broad networks that offer generalized support, Encubay provides personalised hands-on support with fundraising, strategic partnerships, and tailored rmentorship to help women entrepreneurs thrive.
- What has been the most rewarding aspect of supporting over 7,500 women entrepreneurs through Encubay, and can you share any standout success stories?
One standout success story is of a professional who left her corporate job to start a Martech and business automation agency. With Encubay’s support, she gained the confidence to make the leap and secured her first set of clients. We provided her strategic mentorship and the network she needed to navigate this transition successfully.
Another inspiring story is of a luxury reselling platform that came to us with a vision but lacked the roadmap for growth. Through our business consulting, they designed an investor outreach strategy and secured capital and key partnerships that significantly accelerated their business.
We also supported a personal care startup that won 350,000 AED in prize money after refining their business strategy and growth path with our guidance. It’s moments like these that affirm the impact we’re making—helping women scale their businesses and reach new heights.
About Avneet Kohli
Avneet Kohli is the Co-Founder of Global StartUp Network Encubay and is a seasoned Life & Business Vision Coach. Avneet started her journey in the media and entertainment industry where she has been the presenter of choice by renowned organizations such as Apple, Samsung, Amazon, L’Oréal, Google, and the Trump Organization to name a few. Alongside her media career, Avneet started her first business in the image consulting and leadership development space where as a solo founder she soon met with burnout. Her tumultuous journey as a business owner led her into the world of startups where she now works closely with entrepreneurs to enable them to thrive in business. She co-founded a one-of-a-kind global business network and consulting firm called Encubay with a mission to enable women entrepreneurs to Scale, Raise, and Go Global. In less than 4 years, Encubay has touched more than 7500 women in business across Indi and UAE. Encubay helps women entrepreneurs accelerate business growth by providing them with access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and fundraising assistance. She recently authored the Life Planner, a thinking system in a toolkit that helps ambitious minds refine their focus and achieve their goals using her signature Visioneering framework.
