THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, MARCH 17, 2026
India’s startup
ecosystem is witnessing a powerful wave of women-led participation, with over
one lakh startups now having at least one woman director or partner among the
2.12 lakh entities recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade (DPIIT), reflecting the growing inclusivity and diversity in the
country’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Launched on January
16, 2016, the Startup India initiative has steadily evolved into a cornerstone
of innovation-driven growth, aiming to build a robust ecosystem that nurtures
entrepreneurship and attracts investments. As of January 31, 2026, a total of
2,12,283 entities have been officially recognised as startups by DPIIT, of which
1,02,054 entities have at least one-woman director or partner, underlining the
significant role women are playing in shaping India’s new-age businesses.
The data further
indicates that while the startup ecosystem continues to expand, a small portion
has faced closure. According to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), 6,789
recognised startups have been categorized as closed, including dissolved or struck-off
entities. Notably, among these, 2,950 startups had at least one-woman director
or partner, highlighting that women entrepreneurs remain active participants
even in challenging business cycles.
To strengthen the
ecosystem, the government has rolled out a series of flagship schemes designed
to support startups across various stages of their growth journey. These
include the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), the Startup India Seed Fund
Scheme (SISFS), and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), each
targeting different funding and support needs.
The Fund of Funds for
Startups, operationalised by the Small Industries Development Bank of India
(SIDBI), has played a pivotal role in catalysing venture capital investments by
channeling funds into SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs),
which then invest in startups. As of January 31, 2026, these supported AIFs
have invested approximately Rs. 25,859 crore in startups, including around Rs.
2,995 crore in women-led ventures since 2020.
Meanwhile, the
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, implemented from April 1, 2021, provides
crucial early-stage financial support through incubators. Selected incubators
have approved funding of about Rs. 592 crore for startups, with nearly Rs. 294
crore allocated to women-led enterprises, reinforcing the government’s focus on
empowering female entrepreneurs at the grassroots level.
Further bolstering access to finance, the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups, operational since April 1, 2023, facilitates debt funding through eligible financial institutions. Managed by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) Limited, the scheme has guaranteed loans worth around Rs. 925 crore to startup borrowers, including approximately Rs. 39 crore to women-led startups.
Together, these initiatives underscore the government’s multi-pronged approach to building a resilient and inclusive startup ecosystem, where women entrepreneurs are not only participating but increasingly leading the charge in India’s innovation-driven growth story.
