/startuppedia/media/member_avatars/2025/12/04/2025-12-04t054822752z-whatsapp-image-2025-12-04-at-111756-2025-12-04-11-18-22.jpeg )
/startuppedia/media/media_files/2025/12/13/copy-of-copy-of-web-47-2025-12-13-15-23-43.png)
Govt infuses Rs 3,156 Cr into women-led startups
The Government of India’s flagship Startup India initiatives have extended substantial financial support to women-led startups across the country through three major schemes, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Jitin Prasada informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Friday.
All you need to know about Govt's flagship Startup India initiative
Under the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), operationalised by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) have invested approximately ₹2,838.9 crore in 154 women-led startups between 2020 and 2025, as of 31 October 2025.
The scheme is designed to catalyse venture capital investments by providing capital to AIFs, which in turn invest in eligible startups.
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), launched on 1 April 2021, focuses on early-stage support through incubators.
As of 31 October 2025, incubators have approved ₹284.79 crore in funding to 1,635 women-led startups, enabling them to move from idea validation to product development and market entry.
Meanwhile, the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), which became operational on 1 April 2023 and is managed by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC), has facilitated access to collateral-free credit.
By the end of October 2025, 24 loans worth ₹33.17 crore had been guaranteed for women-led startup borrowers through eligible financial institutions.
The Minister noted that detailed sector-wise and state-wise data for all three schemes have been submitted to Parliament. However, he added that compiling a comprehensive or objective measure of startup success rates is not feasible, and such data is not centrally maintained.
Prasada further stated that the government continues to implement a range of mentorship and training programmes aimed at strengthening women entrepreneurship across India.