Women Entrepreneurs Drive MSME Expansion in 2026

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 13 January 2026

• Women-led MSMEs fuel growth with 87% project growth in 2026
• 72% plan offline expansion, while 30% adopt hybrid, digital-led models
• With capital and policy in focus, 58% plan funding in 2026 seeking easier credit and simpler compliance

NeoGrowth research underscores the growing influence of women-led MSMEs in strengthening India’s Business recovery. With 87% projecting growth in 2026 and 80% seeing performance gains, these enterprises are advancing with clear strategies focused on scalability, workforce development, and financial resilience.  

Women-led MSME’s are gaining prominence on India’s small business revival, with NeoGrowth’s MSME Business Confidence Study 2026 reporting 87% expect growth in the year ahead.

Performance momentum among women-led MSME’s remain strong as 8% report recent gains. A targeted emphasis on talent, financial planning, and long-term scaling forms the foundation of growth strategy, with 58% aiming to get access to funding in 2026.

Before the Budget 2026, the demands of women entrepreneurs are easy credit, simpler compliance, and enhanced online support to keep the momentum. Their focus remains on people, financial readiness, and customer experience.

Small businesses are re-embracing physical expansion, as NeoGrowth finds 72% of MSMEs are banking upon growing their offline presence in 2026. With 8 in 10 reporting better performance, outlet expansion is increasingly viewed as a stable, long-term growth lever. MSME’s are also eyeing the hybrid growth, with 30% adding new products or brands and many leveraging digital channels to boost scale and resilience.