Haryana launches a Women Empowerment Fund on June 9, 2025, to support female entrepreneurs with financial aid, skill development, and mentorship. Aimed at fostering gender inclusivity, the initiative targets women-led startups and SHGs, aligning with Haryana’s startup ecosystem growth, where over 45% of startups are women-led. The fund seeks to drive economic empowerment and innovation across the state.
Haryana Launches ₹500 Crore Fund to Empower Women Entrepreneurs
On June 9, 2025, the Haryana government unveiled a ₹500 crore Women Empowerment Fund to bolster female entrepreneurs across the state. Announced by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini during a state-level startup conclave in Chandigarh, the initiative aims to provide financial assistance, skill development programs, and mentorship to women-led startups and self-help groups (SHGs). The fund is part of Haryana’s broader vision to strengthen its startup ecosystem, which currently ranks seventh in India with over 8,800 DPIIT-recognised startups, 45% of which are led by women.
The Women Empowerment Fund will offer low-interest loans, grants up to ₹10 lakh for early-stage startups, and subsidies covering 50% of capital expenditure for women-led enterprises, with a cap of ₹1 crore for private incubators. The initiative also includes partnerships with 25 university-based incubators and 20 private-sector incubators to provide training in business management, digital marketing, and financial literacy. “This fund is a game-changer for women who dream of building their own businesses but lack resources,” said Amit Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary of Industries and Commerce, during the launch event.
Haryana’s focus on gender inclusivity aligns with national efforts, as evidenced by the Centre’s Gender Budget allocation of ₹4.49 lakh crore for 2025-26, a 37% increase from the previous year. The state’s startup policy, updated in 2022, has already fostered a business-friendly environment, with 19 of India’s 117 unicorns originating from Haryana. Women entrepreneurs like Priya Sharma, founder of a Gurugram-based agri-tech startup, welcomed the move, stating, “Access to capital and mentorship will help us scale without the constant worry of financial barriers.”
The fund also targets rural women, with plans to integrate SHGs into the formal economy through micro-enterprise support. Over 10,000 SHGs in Haryana are expected to benefit in the first phase, with loan disbursals starting in August 2025. The initiative draws inspiration from successful models like ITC’s Mission Sunehra Kal and HUL’s Project Shakti, which have empowered lakhs of women through entrepreneurship training.
To ensure transparency, a dedicated portal will be launched by July 2025 for applications and tracking disbursals. The government has also roped in private equity and venture capital firms to mentor women entrepreneurs, addressing the gender gap in startup funding. Experts believe this could position Haryana as a leader in women-led innovation, building on its existing infrastructure and investor interest.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports and official announcements from the Haryana government. Information is sourced from credible news outlets and government statements. Readers are advised to verify details through official channels for the latest updates.