Sonam Motwani at Dun & Bradstreet’s ‘Empowering Women Entrepreneurs’ – Unlocking Financial Resources for MSMEs
Dun & Bradstreet, in collaboration with Union Bank of India, recently hosted a remarkable event titled “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Unlocking Financial Resources for MSMEs” on September 20, 2024. The event focused on one of the most pressing challenges in India’s MSME sector—access to funding, particularly for women-led businesses.
Breaking Barriers for Women in Manufacturing
Despite MSMEs being the backbone of India’s economic growth, financial access remains a significant roadblock for many entrepreneurs, particularly women in manufacturing. Traditional lending institutions often have stringent eligibility criteria, making it challenging for women entrepreneurs to secure the financial backing needed to scale their businesses.
Our Founder & CEO, Sonam Motwani, was honored to take the stage and share her journey as a woman entrepreneur in the manufacturing industry. She highlighted the systemic hurdles women face in securing funding, including:
- Lack of collateral and credit history that meets traditional banking requirements
- Limited financial literacy resources and mentorship opportunities tailored for women entrepreneurs
- Gender biases in investment and lending decisions, especially in male-dominated industries like manufacturing
- Navigating investor expectations while maintaining sustainable business growth
Key Insights from the Discussion
Sonam’s session focused on practical strategies and solutions to overcome these financial barriers, including:
- Leveraging Alternative Financing Options – Exploring non-traditional funding avenues such as government-backed MSME schemes, venture debt, revenue-based financing, and fintech lending platforms.
- Building Financial Credibility – The importance of maintaining strong financial discipline, a clear business roadmap, and a well-documented credit history to improve fundability.
- Creating an Ecosystem of Support – How networking with financial advisors, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs can unlock funding opportunities.
- The Role of Manufacturing in Women’s Economic Empowerment – Encouraging more women to enter high-growth, capital-intensive industries like manufacturing and create long-term economic impact.
Looking Ahead – Empowering More Women in Manufacturing
Events like these are a crucial step toward bridging the financial gap for women-led businesses, and we are excited to see more initiatives that support women entrepreneurs in the MSME sector. At Karkhana.io, we are committed to empowering MSMEs with scalable manufacturing solutions and enabling women entrepreneurs to thrive in the industrial ecosystem.
A huge thank you to Dun & Bradstreet and Union Bank of India for hosting this insightful event. Let’s continue working toward a more inclusive, financially empowered future for women in business!