FlexiLoans plans to disburse Rs 100 crore to empower women-led MSMEs in 2025
NEW DELHI : FlexiLoans.com, a leading MSME-focused non-banking financial company (NBFC), has announced its plan to disburse over Rs 100 crore in loans to help women-led small and medium businesses by 2025.
The initiative follows a McKinsey report suggesting that Indian women-owned businesses could generate more than $280 billion in GDP by 2025 if they receive the right financial support.
Commitment to women entrepreneurs
FlexiLoans said it aims to close the credit gap that many women in India face. According to government data, women entrepreneurs receive only 10% of formal credit.
The firm hopes to change this by offering collateral-free business loans with minimal paperwork, making it easier for women to get the funds they need.
Rise of women-led MSMEs
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises estimates there are more than 8 million women-led MSMEs in India. FlexiLoans claims to have seen a 2.3x rise in the number of annual women borrowers in the past five years, going from 1,300 women borrowers in 2019 to over 3,000 in 2024.
The firm reports that nearly 70% of these female borrowers come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, suggesting a growing demand for financing outside major urban centers.
Positive trends in lending
FlexiLoans said the average loan amount requested by women entrepreneurs has increased by 81% over five years, from Rs 4.04 lakh in 2019 to Rs 7.31 lakh in 2024. The firm believes government programs such as the Stand-Up India Scheme and the MUDRA Yojana have played a key role in building financial confidence among women.
FlexiLoans Co-Founder Ritesh Jain said the firm aims to remove obstacles for these entrepreneurs by making the lending process swift and efficient.
“Our commitment is to provide easy access to collateral-free business loans with minimal documentation, ensuring that women can grow their businesses without financial barriers. With our tailored financial solutions, we continue to empower them to reach new heights, scale their operations, and contribute significantly to India’s economic growth,” Jain added.
Digital lending revolution
FlexiLoans also claims that it has disbursed more than Rs 9,000 crore in loans across 1,500 cities and towns. It uses alternative data sources from e-commerce and payment platforms to approve loans in as little as 48 hours.
The NBFC firm has also found that many women entrepreneurs are increasingly seeking business loans in sectors such as readymade garments, FMCG items, medical stores, electrical goods/fittings, and cosmetics. It expects the demand for business loans from women-led MSMEs to grow as India’s financial literacy improves and more people turn to digital lending options.