REPORT: GROWING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN INDIA

(January 10, 2016) In early 2015, Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) awarded a CA$560,000 grant to WEConnect International in support of its new project, “Growing Women-Owned Businesses in India by Building on Private Sector Initiatives.” The project leverages the significant investments made by WEConnect International corporate members in the development of a searchable database of women’s business enterprises based in India and in 95 other countries.

With the support of IDRC, WEConnect International was able to collect data on the India-based women’s business enterprises certified and registe- red in the eNetwork. Data points included revenues for each company for each year as collected in assessments; number of employees; legal incorporation status; the most popular banks; access to lines of credit; and market focus. The research is clear—WEConnect International women’s business enterprises think big, but also face obstacles to reaching their full potential.

Read the report.