NSN India Interface: International Women's Day 2025 - Top 5 Resources for Women Entrepreneurs in India

Hello Readers,

As we gear up to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, themed "Accelerate Action," it is crucial to acknowledge the transformative role of women entrepreneurs in India’s economy. Despite progress, challenges such as financial constraints, limited market access, and societal barriers continue to hinder their growth. However, several government-backed initiatives are actively working to bridge these gaps and empower women in business.

In this edition of NSN India Interface, we bring you a curated list of the top five resources that can help women entrepreneurs scale their businesses. These platforms provide access to funding, mentorship, market linkages, and policy support, ensuring that women-led enterprises thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. Let’s explore how these initiatives contribute to fostering an inclusive and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in India.

The Skill Times is our fortnightly e-magazine featuring thought leadership, the positive impact of skill development, new initiatives in industry-academia collaboration, and more. Click here to subscribe to Skill Times from NSN, our fortnightly e-magazine!

MSDE and NITI Aayog Launch Swavalambini Program to boost Women Entrepreneurship in India

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with NITI Aayog, has launched Swavalambini – a Women Entrepreneurship Program at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. This initiative aims to empower female students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, providing mentorship, and offering resources to help them build and scale successful ventures.

Key highlights of Swavalambini: Women Entrepreneurship Program

1. Entrepreneurial training for women

2. Faculty development and recognition

3. Nationwide expansion and virtual launch

4. Government support

Click here to read more!

Top 5 Resources for Women Entrepreneurs in India

Women entrepreneurs play a crucial role in India's economic growth and social development. Recognizing this, the Indian government has introduced various initiatives to support and empower women in business. Here are the top five active resources designed to help them scale their ventures:

1. Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP): NITI Aayog's WEP is a one-stop platform offering mentorship, funding, and business opportunities for women entrepreneurs. It facilitates networking and provides a repository of government and private sector initiatives.
2. Government e-Marketplace (GeM): GeM enables women-led businesses to sell products and services to government buyers. Special provisions, such as reserved categories for women entrepreneurs, offer greater market access.
3. Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC): ONDC democratizes e-commerce by connecting small businesses, including women entrepreneurs, to a broader market, allowing them to compete with large marketplaces.
4. Startup India – Women Entrepreneurship Program: This initiative promotes women-led businesses through funding, incubation support, and training, along with access to startup schemes, tax benefits, and mentorship programs.
5. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI): SIDBI plays a crucial role in strengthening women-led MSMEs by offering refinance facilities, short-term lending, and financial support. It also collaborates with various institutions to provide credit assistance, capacity-building programs, and mentorship opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

NITI Aayog’s Women-Focused Entrepreneurship Support

NITI Aayog’s policies focus on increasing women's participation in entrepreneurship through financial support, skill development programs, and easier access to credit and reduced interest loans. According to NITI Aayog’s report Decoding Government Support to Women Entrepreneurs in India, these policies aim to address existing gender gaps in entrepreneurship.

Women entrepreneurs in India face multiple challenges, from lack of financial support to social barriers. With access to platforms like WEP, GeM, ONDC, and Startup India, they can overcome these hurdles and significantly contribute to India’s economy.

• India could add USD 0.7 trillion to its GDP by integrating 68 million more women into the workforce by 2025 (McKinsey Global Institute).
• Ensuring 50% workforce participation for women could increase India’s GDP growth by 1.5 percentage points (World Bank).

These resources not only provide financial aid and mentorship but also create a conducive environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive in various industries.

To learn more about government support for women entrepreneurs, click here.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, it’s essential to leverage these government-backed platforms to foster women’s entrepreneurship. By investing in women, we accelerate progress toward a more inclusive and thriving economy.

India’s economic future depends on increasing female workforce participation. With the right support systems in place, women entrepreneurs can drive innovation, create employment opportunities, and contribute to long-term economic sustainability.

For aspiring women entrepreneurs, these resources serve as stepping stones to success. Explore them, engage with these platforms, and seize the opportunities available to grow your business.

If you found this content helpful, please like and share to spread awareness and contribute to the dialogue on advancing skill development in India. Stay inspired, stay creative, and join us again for more insights in our next edition!

This newsletter is brought to you by Divya Sree Saikumar, Content Coordinator, National Skills Network - NSN. You can reach me at [email protected] and visit our website to know more: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/