Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 28: A significant 70 per cent of women business owners in India, particularly those based in tier II and III cities, are eager to enhance their financial, marketing, and digital skills to expand their ventures, a report revealed on Monday.

The findings, derived from a survey encompassing over 1,300 new and established women business owners (aged 18-55 years) across non-metropolitan areas, indicated that 52 per cent of these entrepreneurs operate within digitally native sectors such as retail, e-commerce, and edtech.

The Bharat Women Aspiration Index (BWAI) 2025, published by UK-based business financial platform Tide, delves into the aspirations and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs from tier II and III cities and beyond. It also highlights the opportunities available to them.

The report pointed out that only a small fraction, 12 per cent, identified digital skilling as a top priority. This suggests a discrepancy between the demands of the industry and the entrepreneurs' self-assessed needs. Furthermore, 54 per cent of these women believe that financial institutions view them as less creditworthy.

Interestingly, Gen Z and millennial entrepreneurs drive 90 per cent of these businesses, with a substantial 83 per cent originating from tier 2 cities and beyond, underscoring the increasing entrepreneurial activity in smaller Indian cities.

The report highlights that while women entrepreneurs in these regions are ambitious, digitally aware, and determined to achieve growth, their progress is hampered by structural deficits in finance, networking opportunities, and visibility. Notably, 86 per cent rarely or never engage in business networks, isolating them from crucial peer support. Despite running their own enterprises, 52 per cent still rely on a male family member to access credit, reflecting persistent gatekeeping within credit systems.

“The BWAI 2025 findings reflect a deep aspiration among women entrepreneurs in India’s smaller towns -- but show that big challenges remain. It’s heartening that many women are more confident in their ability to manage finances and market their businesses,” stated Gurjodhpal Singh, CEO of Tide India.

"However, barriers like limited access to formal networks, digital tools, and financing - some still routed through male intermediaries - remain widespread," he added, emphasizing the need to address these systemic issues to empower women entrepreneurs in India's smaller cities.