Answer

Introduction

India has seen a surge in women entrepreneurship, yet transition from local success to global scale remains constrained. Structural bottlenecks in finance, networks, and policy ecosystems limit their growth potential despite improving entry-level participation.

Structural Barriers

• Credit Constraints: Limited access to growth-stage capital restricts expansion beyond micro scale.
  Eg: India ranks low in Mastercard Index on Women Entrepreneurship (57/65).
• Network Deficit: Lack of global linkages hinders market access and partnerships.
  Eg: World Trade Centre Mumbai highlights need for global compliance exposure and trade networks.
• Policy Exclusion: Under-representation in industrial policy reduces institutional support.
  Eg: Women’s limited presence in export-intensive and innovation ecosystems.
• Regulatory Complexity: Compliance burden discourages scaling and exports.
  Eg: Women entrepreneurs face challenges in meeting international standards and digital trade norms.
• Sectoral Concentration: Dominance in low-scale sectors limits growth potential.
  Eg: Kinara Capital report shows women concentrated in micro/service enterprises, not capital-intensive sectors.

Measures to Bridge Credit Gap

• Targeted Credit Lines: Dedicated growth-stage funding for women-led MSMEs.
  Eg: Expansion of Stand-Up India Scheme for larger ticket loans.
• Manufacturing Push: Promote asset-based sectors to enhance creditworthiness like manufacturing ventures.
• Credit Guarantees: Reduce lender risk through government-backed guarantees.
  Eg: Strengthening Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises coverage for women entrepreneurs.
• Institutional Platforms: Enable access to investors and global procurement systems.
  Eg: Womennovator facilitates cross-border collaborations and funding networks.
• Financial Literacy: Improve awareness of funding options and compliance.
  Eg: Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana promotes credit access alongside entrepreneurial awareness.

Conclusion

Bridging structural barriers requires coordinated institutional action combining finance, policy inclusion, and global integration. Addressing the credit gap through targeted, ecosystem-based interventions can transform women-led enterprises into drivers of inclusive and sustainable global growth.

DOWNLOAD PDF