This evaluation assesses the impact of Dell Foundation’s investments in financial service providers that are servicing the Micro, Small and Medium enterprise sector in India. Background Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have garnered an increased amount of attention lately and are typically referred to as the ‘backbone of the Indian economy’. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on average account for approximately 99% of all firms, 70% of jobs, and 50-60% of value-added in the OECD area. Their contribution
Small, Growing Businesses and Employment
Plugging the MSME Finance Gap in India: Assessment of investment in Vistaar Finance
This study examines the effects of Dutch Entrepreneurial Bank FMO’s investment in NBFC Vistaar Financial Services.
Recovery Roadmap for Micro and Small Enterprises in Telangana
Aishwarya Joshi
In the past year, India has been weathering unprecedented health, social and economic adversities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Disrupted supply chains, poor access to finance and markets, and consumers’ limited propensity to spend have revealed the fault lines in India’s 6.3 million-strong enterprise ecosystem. Despite various government relief efforts to provide collateral free-loans, refinancing packages and working capital support, businesses that operate on low margins continue to suffer due to social distancing restrictions, labour shortages, inadequate demand and rising
Small Size, Big Impact: Employment Dynamics in Microenterprises during Covid-19
Sharon Buteau
The COVID-19 outbreak has had severe repercussions across the economy, particularly on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their workforce. There is a dearth of literature on the impact of acute crises on microenterprises, and this lack of information is compounded in times of uncertainty. This background paper for the Centre for Sustainable Employment’s State of Working India Report 2021 discusses the impact of the government-mandated lockdown on employment trends in the microenterprise sector in India. The data used
Women’s Entrepreneurship in India: Harnessing the Gender Dividend
Mridulya Narasimhan, Sanjana Vijay
This brief highlights the key challenges in promoting women entrepreneurship in India, including social norms and biases, lack of education, unequal opportunities for affordable financing, and limited networking opportunities. It also outlines recommendations to address these social, economic and technological constraints.
Women Entrepreneurs as the Powerhouse of Recovery
LEAD at Krea University
This report brings forth evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on women enterprises in India, and delves into the various factors that inhibit their growth in the current context. It also highlights strategies for promoting women entrepreneurship through an ecosystem approach.
Tamil Nadu Socioeconomic Mobility Survey
This panel survey was initiated to understand the long-term pathways that influence socio-economic development.
Catalyst: Inclusive Cashless Payment Partnership
This initiative was launched with an aim to promote last-mile digital payment solutions for underserved communities of merchants and consumers in India. Housed at LEAD, it was supported through USAID’s Mobile Solutions Technical Assistance and Research (mSTAR) program with FHI360.
Impact of COVID-19 on Microenterprises in India
This study, conducted in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship, captures the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on microenterprises in India through a multi-dimensional study.
Swashakt: Empowering Women through Collective-based Approaches
Under the Swashakt evidence programme, 3ie is funding the implementation of nine pilot and at-scale projects that support collectives and group-based models for women-led businesses. LEAD is the grants management partner for the programme.