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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
ET MSME Awards 2025: How SEWA is driving India's MSME ecosystem
Live Events Royalty-free image of industrial textile factory with Indian women workers at sewing machines | Photo by EqualStock IN Each week, the ET MSME Awards will feature an industry association that has played a critical role in India's growth story. This week, we celebrate SEWA. Register now to nominate yourself or someone you know for our 'Indian MSME Women Entrepreneur of the Year' Patel still remembers the day she first walked into a SEWA meeting in Ahmedabad, clutching her worn cloth bag and feeling completely out of place. As a vegetable vendor who could barely read, she never imagined she'd one day own a food processing unit employing 12 women from her neighbourhood."I used to think only the rich did business," she laughs, stirring a massive pot of chunda in her spotless facility. "I didn't know selling aachaar (pickle) was also a business."Meera's transformation mirrors that of nearly three million women whose lives have been reshaped by the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA). What began as a small trade union in Gujarat has become one of India's most powerful engines for micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) development, proving that the country's economic growth story isn't just about tech startups and corporate Ela Bhatt founded SEWA in 1972, she was tackling a problem that policymakers barely acknowledged: millions of women working in India's informal economy were completely invisible to the formal financial system. These women—caterers, fruitsellers, seamstresses, domestic workers, and construction labourers—formed the backbone of local economies yet had no access to credit, insurance, or business support."We were nobody," recalls Kamalaben, a 58-year-old member who now runs a successful garment cooperative. "Banks wouldn't talk to us. Government schemes weren't for us. We were working and earning, but we didn't exist."Today, SEWA represents nearly two million workers across 12 states, making it one of the world's largest trade unions of informal workers. But its real innovation lies in recognising that these women weren't just workers: they were entrepreneurs waiting for their moment in the traditional microfinance organisations that simply provide loans, SEWA created an entire ecosystem for women's entrepreneurship. The organisation operates through an integrated model combining trade union advocacy, cooperative formation, capacity building, and financial childcare, for instance. SEWA's childcare cooperatives have helped more than 400 women find regular work as care providers. But this isn't just about employment — it's about creating sustainable businesses that address genuine community needs while generating realised early on that women need more than just credit. They need skills, markets, support systems, and most importantly, they need to see themselves as entrepreneurs, not just SEWA Cooperative Federation now empowers 112 women's collectives across diverse sectors, from traditional crafts and food processing to transportation and technology. These aren't charity projects; they're legitimate businesses competing in real Devi's story illustrates this transformation. Once dependent on daily wage labour, she now owns and operates an e-rickshaw service that employs other women. Her transition from employee to employer happened through SEWA's integrated support system that provided training, financing, and ongoing business mentorship."The difference is dignity," Suman says. "When you work for someone else, you're always asking for permission. When you own your business, you make decisions."Perhaps SEWA's most significant achievement has been proving that poor women are excellent credit risks. The Mahila SEWA Urban Cooperative Thrift & Credit Society, established after years of bureaucratic struggles, has maintained repayment rates exceeding 95%.This success challenged fundamental assumptions about informal and micro sector lending. By treating women as stakeholders rather than mere borrowers, SEWA demonstrated that financial inclusion could be both profitable and impact extends far beyond individual entrepreneurs. When women gain economic independence, they invest heavily in their families' health, education, and nutrition. This creates a multiplier effect that strengthens entire data shows that women-owned MSMEs constitute 20% of registered enterprises, though this likely underrepresents true participation since many women entrepreneurs operate informally. SEWA's model offers a pathway to formalisation that doesn't strip away the flexibility that informal sector workers makes SEWA's approach powerful is its recognition that economic empowerment and social change are inseparable. When women organise into cooperatives, they don't just create businesses: they create platforms for challenging traditional gender roles and asserting economic Patel's pickle-making unit exemplifies this broader transformation. Her business provides employment for women who were previously entirely dependent on their husbands' income. But perhaps more importantly, it has shifted power dynamics within families and communities."My husband used to say I was just passing time with SEWA," Meera recalls. "Now he helps me with the accounts!"As India's economy continues evolving, SEWA's model offers crucial insights for policymakers and development practitioners. The organisation's success demonstrates that sustainable MSME development requires not just financial support, but also ecosystem building that addresses social, economic, and political decades after its founding, SEWA continues proving that India's economic transformation isn't just about billion-dollar unicorns. It's about millions of women like Meera, transforming street corners into boardrooms, one small business at a time. In a country where women's economic participation remains constrained by deep-rooted barriers, SEWA's quiet revolution offers hope that inclusive growth isn't just possible — it's ET MSME Awards 2025 , which has IDBI Bank as banking and lending partner, is open for nominations. Put yourself up for consideration before August 31, 2025.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From startup dreams to national recognition: ET MSME Awards 2025 nominations now open
Live Events Remember the moment when you first established your business? That leap of faith, the sleepless nights, and the conviction that you could build something meaningful?Now, it's time the country recognises what you've are open for the ET MSME Awards 2025 , the biggest initiative of its kind that celebrates the unsung heroes of India's stupendous growth story. This isn't just another awards platform with fancy speeches, photo ops, and sound bytes. It's the impetus for more leaps of be honest, many business awards are either popularity contests or pay-to-play schemes. You know the ones: fill a form, pay a fee, and get a trophy. In essence, everyone's a ET MSME Awards is not one of in its 6th edition, it has become the one award Indian MSMEs genuinely want to win. Not because it looks good on LinkedIn (though it does), but because it opens many an ET MSME Award is like getting a VIP pass to India's business community. You become part of a conversation that includes industry heavyweights, government officials, and successful entrepreneurs who matter in your space. Winners have met their next big customer at the post-Awards dinner, or had a brief conversation with a fellow winner that turned into a major partnership. Other businesses start reaching out because they want to work with "that award-winning company". Banks and financial institutions take notice, viewing ET MSME Awards winners as lower-risk borrowers with proven track records, which can translate into better credit terms and easier access to growth capital when you need it most. Employees walk taller because of the morale boost that comes with working for a recognised network effect is particularly strong among fellow winners. There's an unspoken bond among entrepreneurs who've made it to this level, and they genuinely help each other out. Whether it's sharing a customer lead that isn't right for their business, making an introduction to someone in their network, or just offering advice during tough times, this community is a resource that keeps giving. It's the kind of network you can't buy or build overnight. And once you're in, you realise why winning is about so much more than just like having a business development team working for you, except that the team in question is India's most trusted business thing that makes the ET MSME Awards 2025 different is that it scrutinises your business the way a smart investor would. Not just your balance sheet, but your growth story, innovation, sustainability efforts, how you've adapted, and how you've made a difference. The evaluation is comprehensive because business success isn't one-dimensional. You're not just a number on a spreadsheet; you're an entrepreneur with a story worth with 22 categories this year, there's room for everyone. Whether you're manufacturing textiles in Tirupur, running a green transition consultancy in Indore, or creating innovative products in rural Odisha, there's a category that gets what you jury members evaluating applications are esteemed entrepreneurs and industry veterans who've been in your shoes, understand your challenges, and who know what real success looks like. They get it when you talk about pivoting during tough times, scaling with limited resources, or competing with bigger players. They understand that MSME success isn't just about the numbers, but about the journey, innovation, and impact on communities and an MSME isn't easy. You've probably faced cash flow crunches, difficult customers, regulatory headaches, and other challenges big corporations don't deal with. You've survived and thrived despite it resilience deserves more than a pat on the nomination deadline for the 6th edition of the ET MSME Awards is August 31, 2025. That might seem like plenty of time, but if you're like most entrepreneurs, you'll blink and it'll be August 30. Don't let that happen!The ET MSME Awards 2025 isn't just about celebrating what you've already done. It's about amplifying what you will do next. It's about putting you on a stage where the right people will notice. And it's about giving you the recognition that will unlock the next phase of business has a story. Your innovation has value. Your success matters. The question is: are you ready to tell that story to the people who need to hear it?
Economic Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
ET MSME Awards 2025: Honouring India's trailblazing MSMEs—Nominate now
Synopsis The ET MSME Awards return for its sixth edition in 2025 to recognise and celebrate India's most outstanding MSMEs and entrepreneurs. Register now. ET Online The ET MSME Awards programme is a testament to the Economic Times' commitment to promoting and supporting India's MSME sector. The micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector has always been vital to India's economy, standing thick and resilient even in times of turmoil. With the ET MSME Awards, the aims to recognise and celebrate the enduring strength and contribution of these small businesses. After five successful editions, the coveted ET MSME Awards makes its return for a sixth time, continuing its efforts to scout and honour India's most outstanding MSMEs. Register here for ET MSME Awards 2025 The ET MSME Awards programme is a testament to the Economic Times' commitment to promoting and supporting India's MSME sector. Registration for the ET MSME Awards 2025 has begun, and the last date to register is August 31, 2025. The last five editions of the programme have witnessed annual participation of more than 10,000 MSMEs across various sectors, including manufacturing, services, electronics, textiles, technology, and sustainability. MSMEs are the lifeblood of India's economy, contributing significantly to the country's GDP, employment, and exports. Despite their immense potential, MSMEs often face numerous challenges—from limited access to finance to regulatory hurdles. The ET MSME Awards aim to acknowledge and celebrate the resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of these unsung heroes. The ET MSME Awards will recognise outstanding MSMEs across 22 different categories, including Top MSME Exporter, Indian Women MSME Entrepreneurs of the Year, and Top Indian MSME Enablers, among others. The awards will not only provide a platform for these enterprises to showcase their achievements but also inspire others to follow in their nomination and selection process for the ET MSME Awards will be rigorous and transparent. A panel of esteemed judges will evaluate nominations based on criteria such as innovation, financial performance, market impact, etc. The winners of the ET MSME Awards will be felicitated at a grand ceremony, which will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. The event will provide a platform for MSMEs to network, share best practices, and learn from each other's ET MSME Awards 2025 is conducted by with IDBI Bank as its Banking and Lending Partner. Register here for ET MSME Awards 2025
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ET MSME Awards 2025: Honouring India's trailblazing MSMEs—Nominate now
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in Rise 1. Lending with empathy: Automation to Augmented Intelligence The micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector has always been vital to India's economy, standing thick and resilient even in times of turmoil. With the ET MSME Awards, the aims to recognise and celebrate the enduring strength and contribution of these small businesses. After five successful editions, the coveted ET MSME Awards makes its return for a sixth time, continuing its efforts to scout and honour India's most outstanding ET MSME Awards programme is a testament to the Economic Times' commitment to promoting and supporting India's MSME sector. Registration for the ET MSME Awards 2025 has begun, and the last date to register is August 31, last five editions of the programme have witnessed annual participation of more than 10,000 MSMEs across various sectors, including manufacturing, services, electronics, textiles, technology, and are the lifeblood of India's economy, contributing significantly to the country's GDP, employment, and exports. Despite their immense potential, MSMEs often face numerous challenges—from limited access to finance to regulatory hurdles. The ET MSME Awards aim to acknowledge and celebrate the resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of these unsung ET MSME Awards will recognise outstanding MSMEs across 22 different categories, including Top MSME Exporter, Indian Women MSME Entrepreneurs of the Year, and Top Indian MSME Enablers, among others. The awards will not only provide a platform for these enterprises to showcase their achievements but also inspire others to follow in their nomination and selection process for the ET MSME Awards will be rigorous and transparent. A panel of esteemed judges will evaluate nominations based on criteria such as innovation, financial performance, market impact, winners of the ET MSME Awards will be felicitated at a grand ceremony, which will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. The event will provide a platform for MSMEs to network, share best practices, and learn from each other's ET MSME Awards 2025 is conducted by with IDBI Bank as its Banking and Lending Partner.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From farm to factory: Dela Foods is rewriting the rules of food processing in India
Live Events Founded in 2014 in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh by Eva Chawla, Dela Grain Foods Pvt Ltd has emerged as a positive catalyst for India's food processing and hotel, restaurant, and catering (HoReCa) sectors. Operating at the intersection of sustainability, farmer engagement, and technology, this company exemplifies how MSMEs can create value addition and reduce food waste while being profitable and company's most significant contribution lies in its approach to reducing the wastage of fresh produce, one of India's most pressing agricultural challenges. According to the Food Waste Index Report 2024, published by the United Nations Environment Programme, India generates an astounding 78.2 million tonnes of food waste every year. Dela Foods addresses this through direct dealings with farmers and bulk purchasing produce. Through assured demand and fair pricing, this sourcing model has eliminated intermediaries, reduced post-harvest losses, and ensured steady incomes for farmers, empowering on-ground stakeholders within the MSME Foods' approach demonstrates how MSMEs can achieve economies of scale typically associated with large enterprises. The focus on waste reduction extends beyond environmental benefits to create significant economic value. By developing processing capabilities that can handle imperfect or surplus produce that would otherwise be discarded, Dela Foods has opened new revenue streams while contributing to sustainable practices. This encourages other enterprises to view food waste not as a disposal problem, but as an opportunity for value the manufacturing front, Dela Foods has brought industrial-grade food processing to smaller players. Its 5,000 sq metre unit produces ketchups, noodles, pickles, and emulsified and culinary sauces under the brands Dela, Dela Professional, Tom-chi, and Gagimal Gordhandas. In doing so, the company meets the distinct needs of retail consumers and HoReCa clients. The portfolio is positioned in value-added segments that generate higher margins and create more employment opportunities per unit of raw material Foods' trailblazing achievements also extend to founder and Managing Director Eva Chawla, who has received multiple accolades. These include the MAWE (Madhya Pradesh Association of Women Entrepreneurs) Shines Award 2024 and a nomination for MSME Women Entrepreneur (Micro) at the ET MSME Awards 2024. At the latter — which is India's most prestigious MSME awards — Dela Foods won the Fastest-growing MSME (Micro) its innovative approach to farmer engagement, waste reduction, and food processing, Dela Foods has established itself as more than just another MSME. It has proved that mission-driven enterprises that prioritise sustainability can be profitable more winner vignettes of the ET MSME Awards , keep an eye on this space.
