A recent study reveals that 70% of women entrepreneurs across Tier 2, 3, and beyond towns in India are eager to upskill—particularly in financial management, marketing, and digital literacy. The Bharat Women Aspiration Index (BWAI) 2025, conducted by Tide, sheds light on the rising ambitions of these women, who are digitally aware and determined to grow their businesses. However, they continue to face significant structural barriers in finance, networking, and visibility that hinder their progress.
Despite owning and running their businesses, 52% of women still rely on male family members to access credit, highlighting the entrenched gender gatekeeping in India’s financial systems. Meanwhile, a staggering 86% of women entrepreneurs rarely or never participate in any formal business networks, depriving them of valuable peer support, mentorship, and growth opportunities. Only 14% actively network, with 28% rarely attending and 22% never having participated in any networking events.
The BWAI 2025 surveyed over 1,300 women entrepreneurs aged 18–55 from non-metro cities across India. The goal was to better understand the aspirations and challenges faced by women-led ventures in these regions. The findings paint a vivid picture of a generation of ambitious women determined to succeed, yet held back by outdated systems and a lack of access to essential resources.
Gurjodhpal Singh, CEO of Tide India, commented on the study saying, “The BWAI 2025 findings reflect a deep aspiration among women entrepreneurs in India’s smaller towns—but show that big challenges remain. Many women are confident in managing finances and marketing, but access to formal networks, digital tools, and financing—often mediated through male family members—remains a significant roadblock.”
The report not only outlines these roadblocks but also highlights strong motivation for change. Nearly 58% of respondents expressed a strong interest in improving their skills in financial management and marketing, acknowledging their critical role in scaling and sustaining a successful business.
The insights from BWAI 2025 strongly reinforce the need for initiatives like Naari Shakti, which aim to empower women by addressing systemic inequalities, enhancing access to skills training, and enabling economic independence for India’s women entrepreneurs.
