She Builds, India Grows: 15 plus million women own businesses in India 

India is witnessing a quiet revolution—powered by women. From bustling metros to small towns and rural belts, women are stepping forward not just as workers but as leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Today, India is home to over 15.7 million women-owned businesses, a number that has more than doubled in the last decade. These businesses account for nearly 20% of all Indian enterprises, a significant leap driven by digital empowerment, changing mindsets, and robust government support.

Women entrepreneurs are reshaping sectors such as technology, fashion, food processing, wellness, education, and green ventures, creating not only jobs but also socially relevant solutions. The rise is particularly strong among women from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, thanks to better internet access, mobile technology, and the explosion of e-commerce platforms like Amazon Saheli and Flipkart Samarth.

The government’s role in this transformation cannot be overstated. Through targeted schemes, financial inclusion programs, and digital platforms, women are being encouraged to move from the margins of the economy to its mainstream.

Five major government schemes empowering women entrepreneurs:

Stand-Up India

Launched by the Ministry of Finance, this scheme provides loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to women and SC/ST entrepreneurs to establish new businesses in manufacturing, services, or trading. It ensures credit availability and handholding support from banks.

Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme (SIDBI)

This SIDBI-backed scheme offers financial aid up to ₹10 lakh to help women-owned MSMEs expand or modernize. It’s a vital lifeline for small-scale industries led by women.

MUDRA Yojana (for Women)

Under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), women entrepreneurs can access loans under Shishu (up to ₹50,000), Kishor (up to ₹5 lakh), and Tarun (up to ₹10 lakh) categories. Women enjoy preferential interest rates and easy repayment options.

Udyam Sakhi Portal

This digital initiative by the Ministry of MSME provides women with mentorship, funding information, and market linkages. Over 1 lakh women entrepreneurs are registered, showcasing its impact.

Bhartiya Mahila Bank Business Loan

Initially launched as a dedicated bank for women, now merged with SBI, this scheme offers collateral-free loans at low interest rates for working capital and business expansion, making entrepreneurship more accessible.

As India charts its path to becoming a $5 trillion economy, women entrepreneurs will play a pivotal role. With supportive policies, inclusive finance, and a digital-first mindset, India is sowing the seeds for a truly gender-equal entrepreneurial ecosystem.

what do women leaders say?

Priyanka Agrawal, Co-founder, Punt Partners, said, “Finally, women are finding their voice in India’s startup landscape — and what a powerful, transformative voice it is.* For decades, I’ve held the belief that for women, there was never a glass ceiling — rather, there’s always been a sticky floor. This “floor” is a complex web of societal expectations, financial limitations, lack of access to networks, and the relentless burden of balancing multiple responsibilities. These challenges often hold women back long before they even set foot on their entrepreneurial journey.

She further added that today, things are changing fast. Women across India are rising above these constraints, empowered by digital connectivity, shifting mindsets, and, crucially, visionary government schemes. Programs like Stand-Up India, MUDRA Yojana, and Mahila Udyam Nidhi aren’t just finance tools — they are liberation mechanisms. They offer women not just capital, but validation, opportunity, and most importantly, freedom — freedom to imagine, create, and build without inhibition.

“The sight of 15.7 million women-owned businesses across our nation is not merely a statistical milestone. It is a revolution in motion — one that speaks of resilience, innovation, and the quiet courage of millions of women stepping into leadership roles, often for the first time.

What we are witnessing is nothing short of the unleashing of half of our country’s entrepreneurial potential. It’s no longer just about breaking the ceiling — it’s about lifting the floor. And when women rise, the nation rises with them.” Said Priyanka.

Ria Nalavade, Co-Founder of Bindee said, “We believe women are natural entrepreneurs. Why? Because they’re natural dot-connectors—emotionally intelligent, community-driven, and incredibly resourceful. Through Bindee, we want to empower more women to tap into that power.

We’re excited to make use of the growing number of government schemes available for women-led businesses. But even more than policy, we need a cultural shift—where girls are raised not just to support dreams, but to build their own.

She further added that as a brand, and as women, we want to put India on the global map—not just with beautiful clothes, but with bold ideas. Bindee blends fashion, tech, and community, and we’re here to show that women-led businesses aren’t just good for the economy—they’re good for the future.

Qarina Mistry, Associate Director, Updapt said,  “India’s economic potential is closely tied to the future of its women entrepreneurs. While progress is visible, the scale remains limited. According to the Sixth Economic Census, women own only 13.76 percent of all enterprises in the country. Most of these businesses are micro-scale, and over 90 percent operate without hired workers—highlighting both the ambition and the structural constraints they face.” 

She further added that the access to finance remains a key hurdle. Data from the IFC shows that only 27 percent of women-owned businesses have access to institutional credit. The rest rely on informal borrowing, which stifles scale and sustainability. Collateral requirements, low financial literacy, and a lack of business networks compound the problem.

“Time poverty is another factor. Indian women perform nearly 10 times more unpaid care work than men, according to OECD data. This limits their capacity to take on or grow businesses. Even among digitally connected populations, gaps in skills, confidence, and market access persist.” Mistry said. 

Despite these challenges, the economic case for investing in women entrepreneurs is strong. McKinsey estimates that India could add $770 billion to its GDP by 2025 by advancing gender parity in the workforce, including entrepreneurship.

Government programs have laid important groundwork, but more is needed. Policy must shift toward execution—ensuring that credit, skilling, and procurement systems actively include women-led enterprises. With the right support, women entrepreneurs can be the backbone of inclusive and resilient economic growth.