New Delhi: A new generation of women entrepreneurs across India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is challenging long-held stereotypes and reshaping the country’s small business ecosystem, according to internal data from UK-based business management platform Tide.
Women between the ages of 27 and 31 have emerged as the fastest-growing group of new business owners on Tide in India. With more than 180,000 women entrepreneurs on its platform, women now account for nearly 19% of Tide’s Indian member base—signalling a decisive shift toward entrepreneurship as a pathway to financial independence and flexible livelihoods.
The trend is especially pronounced outside major metros. Smaller towns such as Gulharia and Bisrakh in Uttar Pradesh, Harnul in Maharashtra, and Indore in Madhya Pradesh are witnessing a steady rise in women-led enterprises. Many are formalising skill-based and service-driven businesses by adopting digital tools, payments, and accounting systems.
While traditional sectors like tailoring and beauty services continue to see strong participation, Tide’s data points to a notable expansion into industries historically dominated by men. Women entrepreneurs are increasingly setting up device repair businesses—covering mobile phones, tablets, and computers—particularly in West Bengal and other Tier 2 cities. There is also growing participation in accounting and tax consultancy, nursing and personal care services, and micro-manufacturing and sewing units that are now integrating digital payments and formal bookkeeping.
Calling the shift “transformational,” Gurjodhpal Singh, CEO of Tide India, said women are leveraging technology to scale their businesses and strengthen household incomes. “This is a generational change. Women in their late twenties and early thirties are using entrepreneurship to drive self-determined growth while also creating employment in their local communities,” he said.
Digital adoption has played a crucial role in accelerating this momentum. Tide reported a 111% surge in new women-led businesses between March and November 2025, driven by increased formalisation, regulatory compliance, and the use of digital payments. These practices are also improving credit visibility, enabling women entrepreneurs to access loans and other financial products essential for business expansion.
Key digital offerings—such as debit services for daily expense management, online bill payments, and QR-code-based transactions—are helping women reduce reliance on cash and maintain structured financial records.
Looking ahead, Tide has set an ambitious goal to support 500,000 women entrepreneurs across Tier 2 to Tier 5 cities by 2027, through expanded digital solutions, financial literacy programmes, and grassroots initiatives aimed at inclusive economic growth.