Nasscom Foundation and MSSIDC Partner to Empower 15,000 Micro Entrepreneurs Across Maharashtra

(MSSIDC), marking a strategic step toward empowering 15,000 Udyam-registered micro and small enterprises across Maharashtra. The partnership, announced during the Magnetic Maharashtra event, seeks to strengthen small businesses with a particular focus on supporting women-led ventures.

The collaboration will roll out under the World Bank-supported Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) program. Through this initiative, entrepreneurs will gain structured training in key areas including Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), access to digital financing, and practical business management.

The program aims to address challenges that continue to hinder MSME growth in India—such as informal operations, limited access to funding, poor awareness of government schemes, and digital gaps. By targeting sectors like textiles, coir, renewable energy, manufacturing, waste management, and the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, the initiative is set to foster long-term sustainability and innovation.

Three Pillars of Empowerment:
Nasscom Foundation will lead the on-ground execution alongside the KPMG-led State Program Implementation Unit. The capacity-building effort will be based on:

1. IPR Awareness and Training: Helping entrepreneurs protect and monetize their innovations.

2. Digital Financial Inclusion: Guiding small businesses on how to access loans and utilize digital banking tools.

3. Business Formalization: Equipping micro businesses with knowledge to scale sustainably and operate professionally.

Leadership Speak:
Jyoti Sharma, CEO of Nasscom Foundation, highlighted the significance of this program:

“Entrepreneurs in India are full of potential. What they often lack is structured support. This partnership is about turning that potential into performance—especially for women-led businesses. We want to ensure they’re not only aware of government schemes but also equipped to leverage them.”

Prashali Jadhav Dighavkar, Joint Managing Director of MSSIDC, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the role of IPR in long-term industrial growth:

“By increasing IPR awareness and offering practical support, we’re laying the groundwork for innovation and inclusive growth. It’s about building an MSME ecosystem that’s both competitive and future-ready.”

Bridging the Gaps in the MSME Sector
India’s MSMEs are vital to the economy, but they continue to operate under constraints like informal structures, lack of credit, and poor access to information. This initiative bridges these gaps by offering clarity, capacity, and connection—empowering entrepreneurs to formalize, innovate, and scale.

For media queries, please contact:

Sushila Jain @ 9999395952, [email protected]