How women entrepreneurs are driving business expansion in India

Women entrepreneurs in India are transforming the business landscape, supported by initiatives that empower them to expand businesses and boost economic growth.

India is witnessing a dynamic shift as women entrepreneurs emerge as pivotal contributors to the nation’s business ecosystem. In the current landscape, their impact is profound, driven by technological access, government support, and a growing acceptance of diverse leadership.

Initiatives like Startup India and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao have provided a supportive framework for women to enter and thrive in business sectors traditionally dominated by men.

Today, women-led enterprises are flourishing in sectors ranging from technology and manufacturing to social entrepreneurship. Recently, Goldman Sachs also announced that 200 women entrepreneurs from its 10,000 Women Finance for Growth initiative, which seeks to support women entrepreneurs with access to capital, are poised to raise an estimated 850 crore rupees (US$100 million) from investors, helping to expand businesses and create new jobs.

Speaking at the NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore Campus where the event concluded to mark the completion of the 10,000 Women Finance for Growth initiative, the chief guest of the event,

Piyush Goyal, Union Cabinet Minister and Minister for Commerce and Industry, said: “The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative highlights the untapped potential in women. I am confident that they will continue to break barriers and empower others. They are committed to investing in and supporting the progress of women. Currently, 3,500 women from this initiative have created job opportunities and are driving economic activities. The programme also demonstrates how these women contribute significantly to the Government’s journey of Amrit Kaal as we work towards achieving India's Viksit Bharat goal by 2047.”

“Empowering women entrepreneurs with the right skills, meaningful mentorship and strategic networks to access the right kind of capital at the right time is not just transformative for their business – it is a powerful catalyst for sustainable job creation, wealth generation and economic growth,’’ said Asahi Pompey, global head of Goldman Sachs’ Office of Corporate Engagement.

IIM Bangalore, through its incubation arm NSRCEL, partnered with Goldman Sachs to develop and launch the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Finance for Growth initiative in 2023.

This programme aimed to enhance the financial acumen of women entrepreneurs by providing comprehensive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, as well as facilitating connections with investors. Over 400 graduates of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme took part in this transformative initiative.