Women entrepreneurs are reshaping India’s future one bold idea at a time!
From running startups to leading social ventures, they’re driving innovation, creating jobs, and proving that business can have heart. But the journey isn’t always smooth.
Many women still face hurdles like limited access to funding, mentorship, and markets.
The good news? India is changing that. A growing network of organisations, incubators, and support programs is helping women entrepreneurs turn their dreams into thriving businesses with the right training, financial aid, and guidance.
This is more than empowerment; it’s the rise of a new India powered by women.
Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD)
The Ministry of Women & Child Development is a central pillar in empowering women with entrepreneurship opportunities.
Through policies, advocacy, funding, and flagship programs like Mahila E-Haat, the MWCD has reimagined how women-led products reach the market.
Mahila E-Haat is India’s first digital platform where women entrepreneurs, self-help groups (SHGs), and NGOs list and sell their goods nationwide, eliminating the need for intermediaries.
MWCD also facilitates capacity-building workshops and skill development training, impacting over 20,000 sellers and countless buyers.
Location: New Delhi (HQ), pan-India digital access
Funding: 100% government
NITI Aayog: Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)
NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) serves as India’s largest government-backed online resource, offering women access to funding avenues, mentorship, market and business insights, and incubators.
By bringing together ministries, corporates, and incubators on one platform, WEP supports aspiring founders and existing business owners.
They have directly served thousands of women since their launch in 2017. The platform’s digital nature means support is accessible from anywhere in India.
Location: HQ Delhi; pan-India, 100% online
Funding: Central government
MSME Ministry: NSIC Women’s Cell and Schemes
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) runs dedicated women’s cells within the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)
It offers technical training, access to raw materials, business mentoring, and financial assistance.
Women SME owners receive preferential treatment in government procurement, and thousands have benefited from subsidised loans and targeted skill-building initiatives.
Location: HQ New Delhi, zonal offices in every state
Funding: Government
Who benefits: Women creating or expanding small enterprises
Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)
PMMY is the government’s ambitious microfinance scheme designed to empower informal and emerging women entrepreneurs.
MUDRA loans, ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹10 lakh, are collateral-free and accessible through most banks and NBFCs, often fast-tracked for women applicants and SHGs.
Since its 2015 launch, millions of women have tapped PMMY to start businesses in retail, services, manufacturing, and trade.
Location: Pan-India via banks
Funding: Government
Stand-Up India Scheme
Stand-Up India specifically targets women and marginalised entrepreneurs by enabling them to obtain bank finance of ₹10 lakh — ₹1 crore for new businesses.
The scheme mandates every bank branch to provide loans to at least one woman entrepreneur, empowering more women to start registered businesses and secure employment across various sectors.
Thousands of enterprises have launched under this program since 2016.
Location: Nationwide via bank branches
Funding: Government
WE Hub, Telangana
WE Hub exemplifies state-led innovation, being India’s first government-run incubator for women entrepreneurs.
Based in Hyderabad, WE Hub offers incubation, funding connections, mentoring, and access to technology partners for women-led startups, especially in STEM and social entrepreneurship.
WE Hub directly supports thousands of founders and is a model being emulated by other states.
Location: Hyderabad, Telangana (with outreach projects statewide)
Funding: State government
Ministry of Rural Development: NRLM & SHG Programs
The Ministry of Rural Development’s National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and SHG initiatives have revolutionized village-level women’s entrepreneurship.
Millions of women have benefited from SHG-based credit and skill development, leading to the establishment of income-generating microbusinesses, agribusinesses, and cottage industries.
NRLM supports market linkages and collective entrepreneurship, especially for rural women.
Location: Pan-India, rural districts
Funding: Central and state governments
How to apply: Local block or village office.
State-Level Digital Initiatives for Women Entrepreneurs
Each Indian state is crafting its own digital training and business support ecosystem for women.
Here are a few leading examples:
Udyogini Scheme: Maharashtra & Other States
The Udyogini Scheme promotes entrepreneurship among women in rural and semi-urban areas by offering low-interest or subsidised business loans.
The scheme helps women start micro-enterprises such as tailoring units, handicrafts, beauty parlours, or small shops.
Location: Implemented through banks and financial institutions across India
Funding: State and Central Government partnership
Who benefits: Women from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, SC/ST, and minority groups
Support offered: Loans up to ₹3 lakh, with interest subsidies of 30–50% for eligible categories
How to apply: Apply via participating banks or government-approved financial institutions
Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC)
The KSWDC works to uplift women through financial aid, vocational training, and entrepreneurship programs. It provides soft loans, business development workshops, and leadership training for women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and individual entrepreneurs.
Location: Thiruvananthapuram (Head Office) with centres across Kerala
Funding: Kerala State Government
Who benefits: Women entrepreneurs, SHGs, and women’s cooperatives in Kerala
Support offered: Loans, training programs, employment generation projects, and startup incubation.
TAHDCO: Mahalir Thittam (Tamil Nadu)
The Mahalir Thittam program, under TAHDCO, empowers rural women by forming Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and supporting them in starting small-scale enterprises. It offers business loans, training in financial literacy, and helps women connect with markets through exhibitions and local networks.
Location: Tamil Nadu: Implemented through district-level offices
Funding: State Government of Tamil Nadu (TAHDCO)
Who benefits: Rural women, SHGs, and small-scale entrepreneurs
Support offered: Microfinance, business mentoring, and skill training programs
How to apply: Apply through the local TAHDCO or district Mahalir Thittam offices
Funding & Mentorship Platforms for Women
Startup India Women Entrepreneurship Program (DPIIT)
Run under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), this program helps women entrepreneurs access government-approved incubators, mentorship networks, and investor connections.
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It is part of the larger Startup India initiative that promotes innovation and business creation across India.
Location: Pan-India, accessible through the Startup India portal
Funding: Central Government (DPIIT)
Who benefits: Women startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs
Support offered: Mentorship, incubation, funding access, and networking events
BIRAC: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
BIRAC, a not-for-profit enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), supports women scientists and innovators working in the biotech and life sciences sectors.
It provides grants, incubation, and access to research infrastructure to help them commercialise scientific ideas.
Location: New Delhi (HQ) with partner incubators across India
Funding: Department of Biotechnology, Government of India
Who benefits: Women researchers, scientists, and biotech entrepreneurs
Support offered: Innovation grants, startup funding, incubation, and mentorship
Financial Institutions Supporting Women Entrepreneurs
Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan (Now under SBI)
Initially launched as a dedicated women’s bank, the Bharatiya Mahila Bank merged with the State Bank of India, but it continues to offer women-focused business loans. The scheme supports women-owned MSMEs with flexible credit options.
Location: Available through all SBI branches across India
Funding: Public sector (State Bank of India)
Who benefits: Women entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals
Support offered: Business loans up to ₹20 crore, concessional interest rates, and flexible repayment terms
How to apply: Visit an SBI branch or check the SBI Asmita SME portal
Annapurna Scheme
The Annapurna Scheme empowers women in the food industry to start or expand catering and tiffin services. It provides working capital for equipment, raw materials, utensils, and delivery vehicles.
Location: Offered nationwide via the State Bank of India and other partner banks
Funding: Government-supported loan program
Who benefits: Women starting small food-related ventures
Support offered: Loans up to ₹50,000 with a 36-month repayment tenure and a one-month grace period
How to apply: Apply at SBI or participating bank branches under the government women’s loan schemes
Stree Shakti Package: State Bank of India (SBI)
The Stree Shakti Package supports women who own at least 51% of their businesses. It offers concessional interest rates, minimal collateral, and flexible loan options for manufacturing, retail, and service ventures.
Location: Pan-India via SBI branches
Funding: Public sector (SBI)
Who benefits: Women entrepreneurs and professionals
Support offered: Collateral-free loans up to ₹10 lakh; interest concessions for women-led enterprises
Cent Kalyani Scheme: Central Bank of India
The Cent Kalyani Scheme provides collateral-free loans to women for establishing or expanding small and medium enterprises.
It’s designed for professionals and entrepreneurs looking to grow their ventures.
Location: Pan-India via Central Bank of India branches
Funding: Central Bank of India (Public Sector)
Who benefits: Women MSME owners, self-employed professionals, and small business founders
Support offered: Loans up to ₹1 crore; no processing fees; zero collateral for smaller limits
Stand-Up India Scheme: Ministry of Finance
The Stand-Up India Scheme aims to empower women and SC/ST entrepreneurs by providing substantial funding for new business ventures.
Each bank branch must sanction loans between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore to at least one woman entrepreneur.
Location: Nationwide via all bank branches
Funding: Central Government (Ministry of Finance)
Who benefits: Women starting new businesses in manufacturing, trading, or services
Support offered: Collateral-free loans (covered under CGTMSE), support for business registration, and post-loan mentoring
How Do These Organisations Operate and Who Benefits?
Government organisations blend training, mentorship, credit, and market access. It reaches millions annually, benefitting both urban and rural, tech and traditional sectors. They operate through:
- Ministries, state bodies, and special agencies
- Bank partnerships (credit/loans)
- Online portals (for registration and support)
- Incubation networks and local support cells
Beneficiaries include:
- Aspiring and active women entrepreneurs in all sectors
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
- Rural artisans and microbusiness owners.
- Urban tech founders and SME owners
Funding and Impact
- Funding sources: All outlined programmes are government-funded (central and/or state). Some also leverage CSR or multilateral grants.
- Impact: Together, these initiatives have funded or supported millions of women founders through training, loans, skill-building, and market initiatives, creating jobs and boosting economic growth.
How Can Women Entrepreneurs Apply?
- Application channels: Official portals (ministry or scheme websites), partner banks, MSME and local offices, and state-level workshops or support cells.
- Basic requirements: Proof of identity and business intent; some require a business plan or group registration.
- Support offered: Guidance with paperwork, mentoring, skill building, post-funding monitoring, and market access.
Conclusion
With every new scheme, incubator, and training mission, India is opening more doors for women entrepreneurs.
The support is here. The ideas are ready. Now, it’s time for women to step forward, claim their space, and lead the future of India’s enterprise.
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