The study, based on programmes such as the EmpowerHer initiative in partnership with Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission (UMED–MSRLM), shows that women entrepreneurs who received structured training in bookkeeping, financial planning and business management were better able to formalise and expand their enterprises.
It shows that women who adopted simple financial practices such as regular bookkeeping were more likely to track income and expenses effectively, which in turn supported better business decision-making and improved credit readiness. Digital bookkeeping adoption was also found to have nearly doubled among participants exposed to such training.
The report further shows that improved business skills translated into wider market access, with several women entrepreneurs expanding beyond local buyers to regional and multi-channel sales, including digital platforms.
It also highlights that a “credit-plus” approach—combining access to finance with capability-building—can improve business outcomes more sustainably than credit alone. Women participants reported stronger financial discipline and a gradual shift towards more structured, growth-oriented enterprises.
The findings point to a broader gap in women’s entrepreneurship, where financial inclusion has expanded significantly, but business literacy and management capabilities continue to limit scale-up potential.
Overall, the study shows that targeted skill development alongside financial access can play a decisive role in improving enterprise sustainability and long-term income stability for women entrepreneurs.
