Union Budget 2026: Women Founders Share Budget Expectations

By: WE Staff

Meenakshi Kumarr, Chef & Founder of Anahata Cafe (Formerly Roots Cafe): A culinary entrepreneur championing farm-to-table principles, sustainability, and community empowerment. A former criminal lawyer turned organic farmer and Le Cordon Bleu–trained chef, she was mentored by Gaggan Anand.

I would like to see the Budget introduce stronger and more accessible support mechanisms for women-led enterprises, especially through collateral-free credit, interest subvention, and simplified compliance and formalisation processes. Many women-led ventures, particularly in food, hospitality, and community-driven businesses, are operating at the grassroots level and require flexible funding models that recognise their realities rather than traditional balance sheets.

Equally critical is investing in the broader ecosystem—skill development, digital enablement, food safety and sustainability training, and easier access to organised markets. With the right tools and guidance, women can scale responsibly from micro-enterprises to resilient and growth-oriented businesses.

The women entrepreneurs in tier 2 and tier 3 cities are full of ambition and creativity. This potential can be unleashed with proper intervention in policy and help them become a part of the development story of the economy of India in a more integrated manner. Empowerment of women entrepreneurs is not just about ‘inclusion; it is about constructing a better economy for the future.