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By Eroshan Alagaretnam, WEConnect International Regional Director, South Asia
India is undergoing a transformational shift in women’s economic empowerment. As part of its commitment to fostering business growth, WEConnect International has been actively strengthening partnerships, expanding market access, and enhancing the business ecosystem for women-owned businesses (WOBs) in India. During a recent visit, WEConnect International CEO and Co-Founder, Elizabeth Vazquez engaged with key stakeholders, corporate partners, and industry leaders to drive impactful collaborations and open new opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Expanding Market Access and Business Growth Opportunities
One of the flagship events demonstrating this impact was the Building Resilient Economies Summit held in New Delhi on March 5, 2025. This high impact gathering brought together 200 participants, including 150+ women entrepreneurs, 20+ corporate representatives from leading organizations such as Walmart, Sanofi, Marriott, Pernod Ricard, and Capgemini, and more than 30 government, chamber of commerce, and civil society leaders.
The summit provided a strategic platform to discuss business resilience, sustainable procurement, and economic growth for women-led enterprises. Key outcomes included:
In addition to this summit, WEConnect International participated in key industry events, including the WorldCC Roadshow in New Delhi, engaging with more than 80 procurement professionals from major Indian and multinational corporations. These sessions provided valuable insights into integrating more women-owned businesses into corporate supply chains and fostering business growth through strategic collaborations.
Strategic Partnerships Fueling Business Expansion
A major milestone in our efforts to enhance market access for women entrepreneurs was the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Trade Center Mumbai on March 1, 2025. This agreement is designed by Elizabeth Vazquez and Rupa Naik, Executive Director of WTC, Mumbai to enhance global trade, investment, and technology transfers, providing new opportunities for women entrepreneurs and MSMEs to scale their businesses internationally.
Beyond formal agreements, WEConnect International has engaged in impactful discussions with leaders from Reliance Foundation, Wadhwani Foundation, Axis Bank India, and PHD Chamber to drive initiatives focused on financial inclusion, business training, and capacity-building programs. These collaborations reinforce a growing commitment among industry leaders and policymakers to advance women’s business success and market access. Additionally, discussions with LinkedIn Board Director Aditi Jha explored digital strategies to increase the visibility and business potential of women entrepreneurs, helping small businesses connect with larger corporate buyers globally.
Emerging Market Trends: New Growth Avenues for Women Entrepreneurs
With corporations in India and globally prioritizing resilience and sustainability in their operations, there is a clear shift toward inclusive economic growth. This evolving landscape presents new opportunities for women-owned businesses to expand into new markets, develop industry collaborations, and secure high-value contracts.
One of the key drivers of success for women-owned businesses in India is the power of strong networks and ecosystem-building. Whether through corporate mentorship programs, access to finance, or digital networking platforms, WEConnect International is facilitating the connections needed for women entrepreneurs to scale and sustain their businesses.
The organization’s growing presence in India has reinforced the importance of collective action in addressing systemic barriers and unlocking new economic opportunities for WOBs. To sustain this progress, corporations, industry associations, and ecosystem partners must continue to invest in business development initiatives, provide mentorship and capacity-building support, and create market linkages for women entrepreneurs.
Call to Action: Unlocking Growth Opportunities
Women entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and business ecosystem partners have a unique opportunity to drive India’s economic transformation. Women business owners should take advantage of opportunities to get certified, participate in business matchmaking events, and leverage professional networks to accelerate their growth. Corporations can support this movement by expanding engagement with women-led businesses and integrating them into their supply chains.
WEConnect International invites all stakeholders to the upcoming Annual South Asia Regional Summit in Mumbai on August 5, 2025. This premier event will bring together business leaders, policymakers, and women entrepreneurs to advance discussions on business growth, innovation, and sustainable trade partnerships.
For more details on upcoming events, certification programs, and partnership opportunities in India and South Asia Region, click here or contact Eroshan Alagaretnam, Regional Director for South Asia today.
