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BENGALURU: Fewer women entrepreneurs in India’s tier 2 and 3 cities have access to external funding such as bank loans and equity investments to start or expand their businesses, according to a white paper published by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub. Only 3% can (RBIH), in collaboration with SALT-mysaltapp. The paper highlighted the dangers of female entrepreneurship and the lack of a level playing field in the industry.
Titled ‘Take the Steer: Women Entrepreneurs Transforming Central India’, the project explores the complex socio-economic landscape that impacts women entrepreneurship in Central India, defined as tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The purpose was to understand mechanics. The study focused on companies that have been in business for at least three years and employs 10 or more people, and was conducted with the participation of 300 women in 30 cities. In each case, the women interviewed were either founders themselves or held full-time decision-making roles in the family business.
The paper found that there is a serious information gap due to the lack of disaggregated data by gender. This will be critical to countering stereotypes, increasing interest in the field, and making effective policy interventions based on data. The study found this trend puzzling, given the country’s track record in advanced STEM and graduate education for girls.
The paper optimistically notes that this sample is a diverse group of educated women entrepreneurs, with 14% holding a graduate degree and 55% in higher education, representing a wide range of professional backgrounds. It turned out that However, with many other responsibilities, many entrepreneurs are in the age range of her 30s to her 60s, highlighting the slower success of women.
“We also see a notable trend that women are more likely to take entrepreneurial risks and establish businesses in cities that are considered safe for women. “can directly contribute to fostering a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem,” the 52-page report suggests.
Urgently address gender-sensitive policies in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, including the integration of education, capital, skills development and strong community networks, to achieve inclusive and prosperous entrepreneurship in the country; There is an urgent need to create one.
“Nursing female entrepreneurship in tier 2 cities can be transformative. The ecosystem is in place and the variety of businesses currently run by women is promising. Female talent is growing locally. As more women obtain higher education, they are ready to consider entrepreneurial careers. , this needs to be encouraged,” the report concludes.
