In News:

The UdyamSakhi Portal, launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in March 2018, is helping women entrepreneurs across India start, build, and expand their businesses, fostering self-reliance and economic empowerment.

Objectives and Significance

The portal serves as a one-stop resource for existing and prospective women entrepreneurs, providing information on:

• Financial schemes such as the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), MUDRA, and Trade Receivables e-Discounting System (TReDS).
• Policies, programs, and business plan preparation.
• Nodal offices and supporting organizations of the MSME Ministry across states.

It also updates users on exhibitions, trade fairs, and international events, creating opportunities to connect with markets and expand business reach.

Programmatic Functions

UdyamSakhi provides a comprehensive suite of services, including:

• Entrepreneurship learning tools and guidance for business model creation
• Incubation facilities for nurturing startups
• Training programs for fundraising
• Mentorship support and one-on-one investor interactions
• Market survey support
• Learning and development through education, information, technical assistance, and training

The portal acts as a network for nurturing entrepreneurship, especially for low-cost products and services, enabling women to become self-reliant and self-sufficient.

Outreach and Impact

Since its inception, the portal has seen 4,535 women register, demonstrating its growing impact on women-led entrepreneurship in the MSME sector. Developed with an expenditure of ?43.52 lakh, the portal continues to expand access to resources, guidance, and opportunities for women entrepreneurs nationwide.