Women and minority business lending solutions

Women founders could add $280 BILLION to India's GDP. (That's not a typo.) Yet only 10% of women entrepreneurs have access to formal financing. This isn't just a gender issue, it's an economic opportunity we're missing. But there's hope. FlexiLoans just announced they'll disburse ₹100 crore to women-led MSMEs in 2025. Their data tells an incredible story... → 2.3x increase in women borrowers (2019-2024) → 81% jump in average loan amount (₹4.04L to ₹7.31L) → 70% of female borrowers coming from Tier 2 & 3 cities This isn't just growth, it's a revolution happening outside major metros. What excites me most is seeing women entrepreneurs scaling up. 81% increase in loan size shows they're not just starting businesses, they're growing them. In my years helping startups raise capital, I've seen firsthand how access to funding changes everything. It's not just about money, it's about... → Taking calculated risks → Hiring talent strategically → Expanding beyond survival mode → Building wealth that transforms families → Creating jobs in underserved communities The sectors showing the strongest growth? Retail, readymade garments, FMCG, medical stores, and cosmetics. Every day at Team Flexbox, we help entrepreneurs craft funding strategies that work. But systematic change requires more than just better pitch decks. We need 1. More flexible collateral requirements 2. Digital-first lending solutions 3. Financial literacy programs designed for women 4. Mentorship networks in smaller cities The entrepreneurial talent is already there, we just need to unlock it. What barriers have you seen women entrepreneurs face when seeking funding? And if you're a female founder, what helped you overcome them? Let's have this conversation. 👇 #WomenEntrepreneurs #Funding #StartupIndia #MSMEs #FinancialInclusion

British Business Bank has dramatically increased the capital available to Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) in the UK with their announcement yesterday of the Community ENABLE Funding (CEF) programme, providing £150 million of additional wholesale loan capital over the next two years. CDFIs lent £102 million to small businesses in 2023, so the CEF funding will significantly increase their ability to lend to small companies that are unable to access bank loans, especially in areas of deprivation. Some 98% of loans by CDFIs are made outside of London, 41% go to women-led companies, and 24% to minority-led companies. At the end of the two years, the CEF programme will open up to private sector investors, especially banks, to unlock further wholesale financing for CDFIs. UK banks are already familiar with lending through the ENABLE programme, so they should be ready to expand their lending to this key, underserved sector of the UK economy. #cdfi #financialinclusion #smefinance #communitydevelopment #impactinvesting Responsible Finance Department for Business and Trade NACFB Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Impact Investing Institute Scottish Financial News Theodora Hadjimichael Peter Udale Jim Higginbotham Martin McTague OBE Patricia Hamzahee FRSA Chris Sood-Nicholls Tom Le Quesne Lyndsey Fairnie Paul Wain https://lnkd.in/eaVVeDQ3

Big News - Sharing A Personal Milestone Announcing The Publication of Our New White Paper "Ushering into the New Era of Financial Inclusion: Enabling Women and Women-Led Organisations." Collaborating with my co-authors, Ayush Tripathi and Soham Jagtap , from The Dialogue, on our shared goal and unwavering commitment to championing the financial empowerment of women has led to this latest research. This project means a lot to me, and I feel incredibly proud of what we've achieved. Together, we've delved deep into the challenges and opportunities that define the financial landscape for women in our country. Current State of Financial Inclusion for Women in India >In India, women make up only about 32.8% of the labour workforce, which is considerably lower than the global average of 47%. >Despite constituting nearly half of the population, women contribute significantly less to India’s GDP, accounting for just 17% compared to the global average of 37% > Only 10% of women in India are borrowers compared to 15% in men >  Women receive credit equal to just 27% of their deposits, whereas men receive 52%. > Despite 51% of women being aware of microcredit, only 11% have availed such loans. Here are three powerful insights from our research that we believe can spark real change: 1/ Harnessing Digital Financial Infrastructure: By leveraging platforms like UPI and the JAM Trinity, we can open up financial access for women, especially in rural areas. Tailoring these models to be more gender-inclusive is key to bridging the financial inclusion gap. 2/ Empowering Through Community: Strengthening Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and utilizing on-ground networks like Bank Sakhis can empower women at the grassroots level. These networks provide essential financial literacy and access to credit, making a tangible difference in their lives. 3/ Innovative Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborations between the government and private sector can drive innovative financial solutions. From digital banking ecosystems to customized credit products, these partnerships can support and uplift women entrepreneurs. However, Our work is not done yet. Together, let's champion initiatives that empower women, break down barriers, and pave the way for a more equitable - There IS a business case for empowering women financially. Here are some key stats that highlight this immense potential- > Accelerating women's entrepreneurship in India could generate over 30 million women-owned enterprises, creating 150-170 million jobs. > Increased adoption of digital financial services could raise India’s GDP per capita by 3 to 4 percentage points. > Women-led startups deliver a 35% higher ROI compared to those led by men. This journey has been deeply personal. And, I am honored to have worked alongside Ayush and Soham, Thank you for the collaboration. I look forward to the positive impact our work will have on promoting financial empowerment for women.

India is making strides in empowering women entrepreneurs, thanks to various initiatives by the Central Government. With numerous schemes tailored to uplift and support women in business, there's never been a better time for aspiring female entrepreneurs to shine. 🌟 While some are widely recognized, many schemes are lesser-known but incredibly impactful. Have you heard of these? 📌 Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme: Aimed at encouraging small-scale industries across manufacturing and service sectors, this scheme provides financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakhs, to help women realize their entrepreneurial ambitions.   https://lnkd.in/gKSxAYz6 📌 MUDRA Yojana: Designed for micro and small enterprises, this initiative offers loans of up to ₹10 lakhs to women entrepreneurs so that they can kick start their entrepreneurial dreams without worrying about collateral. Designed to cater to all entrepreneurial needs, this scheme ensures that lack of capital isn't a barrier to success. https://www.mudra.org.in 📌 Stand-Up India Scheme: This initiative enables women to secure bank loans ranging between ₹10 lakhs and ₹1 crore for setting up greenfield enterprises. It's a major boost for women venturing into the business world.   https://lnkd.in/gKtJUc9T 📌 Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan: Specifically for women, this scheme offers concessional interest rates to help set up a business. It’s a brilliant initiative aimed at fueling the ambitions of women across various sectors. https://www.bmb.co.in 📌 Dena Shakti Scheme: Encourages women entrepreneurs in sectors like agriculture and retail by providing loans at reduced interest rates.   https://www.denabank.com 📌 Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP): For women tech innovators, the STEP offers valuable training in entrepreneurship, boosting skills for running tech businesses. https://lnkd.in/gV74K7Xt These are just a few of the numerous opportunities waiting to be seized. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or an established businesswoman, these schemes will propel your career forward. They reflect India’s commitment to supporting women in business, offering the right tools and resources for growth. 🚀 Each of these schemes is a stepping stone toward building a future where women aren’t just participants in the economy but leaders shaping it. 💪 Ladies, it’s time to take the leap! Find the resources you need. Your entrepreneurial future is just a click away. ⏩ Check out this site: https://lnkd.in/g--bab-X As a woman entrepreneur, have you explored these opportunities yet? #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #WomenEmpowerment #StartUpIndia #FemaleFounders #BusinessGrowth #WomenEntrepreneurs #GovernmentSupport #FinancialInclusion #Leadership

Happy National Hot Tea Day! Today, as we enjoy our warm cups, let's also pour some important 'tea' about minority and women-owned businesses. Did You Know? • Minority-owned businesses are growing rapidly, yet remain underrepresented compared to their population. • Women and people of color often receive a smaller portion of government procurement. • A staggering 57% of Black business owners faced loan denials at the start of their ventures, compared to 37% of non-Black owners. • The number of women entrepreneurs has soared by 114% in the last 20 years. • Only 25% of women business owners seek business financing. • Women secure just 7% of venture funds for startups, typically asking for about $35,000 less than men. • 40% of US businesses are women-owned. • One major challenge for Black-owned businesses is access to financial capital: In early 2021, just 1.2% of total U.S. venture capital went to Black entrepreneurs. These statistics paint a clear picture of the hurdles minority and women entrepreneurs face. But here's the good news: there are agencies, organizations, and grants dedicated to assisting these businesses! • Minority Business Development Agency: Empowering minority business growth and competitiveness. • 15 Percent Pledge: Pushing for greater representation of Black-owned businesses. • She's Connected by AT&T: For U.S.-based, women-owned small businesses with fewer than 51 employees. Offers a $20,000 grant, a year of free AT&T service, and a new device. • WomensNet Amber Grants: Monthly $10,000 grants for women-owned businesses in various categories, plus annual $25,000 grants. • Good Soil: Aiming to increase generational wealth and employment by nurturing under-resourced entrepreneurs. • Venture Capital Firms: Numerous firms are dedicated to investing in businesses owned and operated by entrepreneurs of color and women, focusing on early to mid-stage ventures. These statistics and resources highlight the challenges and opportunities for minority and women entrepreneurs. Let's not just share this 'tea' but also support and celebrate these businesses. Tag your favorite minority or women-owned business below and spread the word! #NationalHotTeaDay #MinorityBusinesses #WomenEntrepreneurs #VentureCapital #businessgrowthstrategies #businessgrowth #strategy