Empowering Women Entrepreneurs and Family Businesses with Support from Union Budget

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs:

One of the priorities of the Union Government in the budget was the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. Although women’s participation in business and industry remains far below its true potential. The time has come to bridge this gap.  Many women entrepreneurs in the country has already demonstrated their ability to innovate and lead—whether in agriculture, handicrafts, tourism, healthcare, or technology. The growth of women-led enterprises such as Kudumbashree in Kerala has shown the power of collective economic progress. But we need to go further.

Recent announcements in the Union Budget 2025-26 provide a significant opportunity to boost women entrepreneurship. The introduction of a new scheme providing term loans of up to ₹2 crore for first-time women entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) will help bridge the financial gap that has long been a barrier for many. By leveraging this initiative, we can ensure that more women-led enterprises in India gain access to capital, enabling them to start and scale their businesses effectively.

My vision is to work closely with the government and stakeholders to create more women-centric business policies, expand access to financial support and mentorship, and establish dedicated platforms for networking and skill development. We will collaborate with banks and financial institutions to ease funding for women-led startups and expand incubation centres that support women entrepreneurs.

Strengthening  Family Business Houses

India has long been home to legendary family businesses that have shaped the economic fabric of our state. From the renowned business houses in the spice trade to modern retail giants, these enterprises have not only generated employment but have also upheld cultural and ethical business values.

However, family businesses today face new challenges—digital transformation, global competition, and succession planning.The Union Budget 2025-26 places a strong emphasis on supporting MSMEs, which form the backbone of India’s economy. By enhancing the investment and turnover limits for MSME classification by 2.5 and 2 times, respectively, businesses now have greater flexibility to scale up operations while maintaining their MSME status. Additionally, the improved credit availability with guarantee cover will ensure easier access to capital for family-run enterprises looking to expand and modernise.

Our mission  should be to provide these enterprises with strategic guidance, technology integration, and skill development opportunities. We will facilitate knowledge-sharing between traditional industries and emerging sectors so that family-run businesses can innovate whilst staying true to their legacy.Moreover, we should launch initiatives to help the younger generation take leadership roles in their family businesses with modern management practices and international business exposure. We must ensure that homegrown businesses remain competitive on the global stage.

The government’s initiative to establish 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over the next five years provides a tremendous opportunity to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship among youth. By collaborating with educational institutions and industry leaders, we can create a robust pipeline of future entrepreneurs.

This journey cannot be undertaken alone. We must work in close partnership with the government, industry leaders, startups, MSMEs, and educational institutions to create an ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship, investment, and sustainable growth. Further more, State Govt should align with the National Manufacturing Mission to boost small, medium, and large industries under the “Make in India” initiative. This will help local businesses integrate into national and global supply chains, opening doors for enhanced economic opportunities.

FICCI needs to further expand its role as an advocate for business-friendly policies while actively engaging with industries to develop sector-specific roadmap while preserving our unique cultural and environmental ethos.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead As I take on this responsibility, I do so with optimism and determination.  India has abundant talent, resources, and spirit to become a leading economic force, not just in India but globally. By leveraging the latest government initiatives, we can empower women entrepreneurs, strengthen family business legacies, and foster an environment conducive to sustainable economic growth.