WHERE WOMEN WORK WONDERS

Since it began in 2018, WE HUB has steadily made a difference in the lives of women across the state. CEO Sita Pallacholla speaks to us about her journey and how WE HUB continues to empower women

- NITIKA KRISHNA

HE is the kind of leader who leads with both heart and resolve, proving that true power lies in lifting others as you rise. A quiet force of determination, Sita Pallacholla blends strength with empathy. As the CEO of WE HUB — India's first and only state-led incubator for women entrepreneurs — she doesn't just break barriers, but builds pathways for others to follow. In an insightful conversation with CE, she reveals what WE HUB is doing for urban, rural, and tribal women, apart from giving much-needed entrepreneurship tips.

Excerpts What inspired you to champion the cause of women entrepreneurs?

My journey began in the trenches of entrepreneurship, where I learned the challenges of building from scratch and saw how unforgiving the system can be, especially for women.

In 2011, after moving to Singapore, I connected with women leaders globally. Despite different geographies, the same roadblocks emerged — women were navigating a landscape not designed for them.

In 2014, I launched The Angel Summit, a network bringing together women from various sectors. These conversations led to real outcomes: gender-forward policies, women-led incubators, and inclusive economic pathways.

Today, I work at the intersection of technology, gender, and inclusive economics, building scalable systems to support women-led businesses, especially in emerging markets. At WE Hub, my mission is to ensure women not only enter the room but shape it.

Can you highlight a few ongoing programmes catering to women in urban, rural, and tribal areas?

At WE HUB, we don't believe a one-size-fits-all approach works when you're building for the next generation of women entrepreneurs and leaders.