SHE Leads, SHE Innovates:: The Young Entrepreneur

She Leads, She Innovates: This Event is a one-day IEEE WIE activity focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and professional networking. Participants will engage in an entrepreneur talk, startup journey discussion and networking session. The activity will help women engineering students transform technical ideas into startup concepts, strengthen their communication and leadership skills, and gain practical insights from industry professionals. Purpose / Need Engineering students often have limited exposure to entrepreneurship, startups, mentoring, and real-world business experiences. Women engineering students need supportive platforms and role models to build confidence, develop ideas, and connect with professionals. This event bridges that gap through practical learning, networking, and direct interaction with an entrepreneur. Objectives · Inspire women students to explore entrepreneurship and innovation. · Connect participants with entrepreneurs and industry role models. · Develop problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking. · Transform technical ideas into startup concepts. · Strengthen communication, leadership, and networking skills. · Recognize promising ideas through a Startup Pitch Competition. · Build a foundation for future IEEE WIE mentoring and engagement. Alignment with IEEE WIE Mission The event directly supports IEEE WIE's mission to connect, support, and inspire women and girls and to encourage their participation and retention in STEM. It creates professional connections between women engineering students and an entrepreneur/industry role model, supports leadership and confidence development, promotes technological innovation, and encourages participants to apply engineering knowledge to real-world problems and entrepreneurial opportunities. Target Audience Women engineering students and young women interested in STEM, entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and startup development. The event may also include IEEE WIE members, student volunteers, mentors, and invited professionals. Expected Participants Approximately 100-120 participants.