# #002 - Empowering women in Nepal by a woman entrepreneur, with Anya Cherneff of Empower Generation, USA

- Show: [The Hardware Entrepreneur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur)
- Published: 2016-12-08
- Length: 31m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-002-empowering-women-in-nepal-by-a-woman-entrepreneur-with-anya-cherneff-of-empo
- Listen: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thehardwareentrepreneur/002.mp3

## Summary

Anya Cherneff, co-founder and Executive Director of Empower Generation, explains how her social enterprise empowers women in Nepal to distribute clean energy technology. She details the company's hybrid business model, which trains female entrepreneurs to sell solar products to remote communities, and discusses the cultural and operational challenges of scaling this network. Cherneff also highlights the specific hardware needs of these markets, such as affordable clean cooking solutions and reliable internet access, while reflecting on the emotional toll of fundraising and cross-cultural management.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-002-empowering-women-in-nepal-by-a-woman-entrepreneur-with-anya-cherneff-of-empo#t=1) Introduction and Guest Background
- [3:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-002-empowering-women-in-nepal-by-a-woman-entrepreneur-with-anya-cherneff-of-empo#t=187) Mission and Differentiation from Competitors
- [9:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-002-empowering-women-in-nepal-by-a-woman-entrepreneur-with-anya-cherneff-of-empo#t=547) Founding Story and Lean Startup Methodology
- [12:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-002-empowering-women-in-nepal-by-a-woman-entrepreneur-with-anya-cherneff-of-empo#t=741) Hybrid Business Model and Supply Chain
- [14:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-002-empowering-women-in-nepal-by-a-woman-entrepreneur-with-anya-cherneff-of-empo#t=885) Rationale for Focusing on Female Entrepreneurs
- [17:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-002-empowering-women-in-nepal-by-a-woman-entrepreneur-with-anya-cherneff-of-empo#t=1020) Inspiration and Emotional Ups and Downs
- [23:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-002-empowering-women-in-nepal-by-a-woman-entrepreneur-with-anya-cherneff-of-empo#t=1420) Future Hardware Innovations Needed
- [25:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2016-12-08-002-empowering-women-in-nepal-by-a-woman-entrepreneur-with-anya-cherneff-of-empo#t=1538) UltraFest: Personal Advice and Cultural Challenges

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Empower Generation (company)
- Off Grid Electric (company)
- M-KOPA (company)
- Half the Sky (other)
- Nicholas Kristof (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Meet The HIBT Fellows: Kaitlin McGreyes & Nicole Argüelles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-05-20-meet-the-hibt-fellows-kaitlin-mcgreyes-nicole-arguelles) (How I Built This)
- [ICYMI... HIBT Lab! Malala Fund and Our Place: Shiza Shahid](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-01-12-icymi-hibt-lab-malala-fund-and-our-place-shiza-shahid) (How I Built This)
- [Founder Feature: Val Emanuel of Rif Care](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-01-03-founder-feature-val-emanuel-of-rif-care) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Aden + Anais: Raegan Moya-Jones (2019)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-08-26-aden-anais-raegan-moya-jones-2019) (How I Built This)
- [Girl Power](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-08-24-girl-power) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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