Gender and its rising role in modern Indian innovation and entrepreneurship

Abstract

While innovation, entrepreneurship, and science and technology activities are today increasingly being dominated by women in India, there still exist significant gaps before women can achieve parity with men. This paper traces, through a literature survey, the historical role of women in entrepreneurship and patenting endeavours, and the barriers to greater female participation in innovation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields in emerging economies like India. The survey segues into a round table discussion with a distinguished set of women entrepreneurs, academics and scientists on the challenges to the participation of women in Indian innovation and entrepreneurship and how it could be facilitated.