Why women entrepreneurs grow as fast as their circle of trust
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Mentorship and sustainable support systems are critical for the survival of women-led micro-enterprises in India. Despite high GDP growth, policy must shift from simple registration to ensuring long-term operational success and market access.
The Hidden Infrastructure of Entrepreneurial Success
Recent insights from industry experts, including Meena Vaidyanathan of NIITI Consulting and Vijeth Acharya of IIMA Ventures, highlight a critical pivot in how we view the growth of women-led ventures. While fintech and capital injections are essential, the data suggests that mentorship is the missing infrastructure that determines whether a business survives or fades. Often dismissed as 'soft support,' mentorship is now being identified as a core business function that provides the necessary networks and role models to foster sustainable growth.
Scaling Beyond Urban Centers
As noted by Lakshmi Venkataraman Venkatesan of the Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust, India’s impressive 7.8% GDP growth is only part of the story. The true economic challenge lies in extending opportunity beyond urban and industrial hubs to the vast network of 9.32 crore small non-farm enterprises. These entities currently employ over 41 crore people, representing the backbone of the nation's informal and semi-formal economy, yet they remain largely underrepresented in policy discussions.
The Crisis of Enterprise Sustainability
There is a growing concern regarding the longevity of new businesses. As of January 2026, data indicates that 6,789 DPIIT-recognized startups—roughly 3.2% of the total—have ceased operations. This rising trend of dissolution suggests that current policy frameworks, which prioritize registration, training, and loan disbursement, are insufficient to ensure long-term viability. When enterprises fail to find markets or scale effectively, the initial investment of capital and labor is effectively wasted.
Redefining Policy Objectives
To move from a culture of 'one family, one entrepreneur' to 'one village, many enterprises,' the focus of entrepreneurship policy must shift. It is no longer enough to measure success by the number of loans sanctioned or businesses registered. Policymakers must evaluate whether these micro-enterprises possess the internal resilience to navigate market volatility and expand their operations to become consistent employment creators.
The Multifaceted Role of Mentorship
Mentorship functions as more than just guidance; it serves four distinct roles: opening exclusive doors, providing accessible role models, offering strategic oversight, and building the 'circle of trust' necessary for women entrepreneurs to scale. By integrating these support systems into the product roadmap, the ecosystem can better ensure that capital is not just deployed, but effectively utilized to build enduring, high-impact businesses that contribute to national prosperity.
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