WOMEN ON A MISSION

She’s helping women grow their businesses

Mrinalini Venkatachalam

If you’re a woman who owns at least 51 per cent of a business, or you run a company that is controlled by one or more women, Mrinalini Venkatachalam wants to help you grow your enterprise.

Like a corporate matchmaker, the 34-year-old promotes women-run businesses, connecting them with local and multinational corporate buyers. Mrinalini is the regional outreach and events manager (Southeast Asia and Oceania) of Weconnect International (WECI), a non-profit network that opens doors for businesses owned by women.

WECI also trains corporations in how to source from women business owners, and trains women business owners to sell to corporations.

She was the head of Public Awareness and Youth Initiatives for the Singapore Committee for UN Women for nine years before joining WECI a year ago.

She tells Her World: “I strongly believe women should have the same opportunities as their male counterparts to design and implement business solutions that create wealth and scale their businesses. What drew me to Weconnect International is that it empowers women and helps create a level playing field.”

Mrinalini, who has a degree in mass communications and a master’s in human rights, concedes that male-run businesses still get the lion’s