New Delhi, 16 May, 2025: A total of 320 women from rural communities in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have launched micro-enterprises as part of the AU Udyogini programme, a joint initiative by Magic Bus India Foundation and AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB). The programme, implemented in FY 2024–25, was operational across 49 villages and focused on promoting entrepreneurship and financial independence among women from underserved communities.
The initiative engaged over 150 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and offered life skills, leadership training, and entrepreneurship development. Each participant received stock worth ₹12,500 to support the launch of their enterprise, tailored to their chosen business.
Around 70% of participants reported monthly income increases ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹7,000. All entrepreneurs have transitioned to managing their finances through personal bank accounts, with more than 100 women now using digital tools such as UPI and mobile apps for business transactions. Participants are also reinvesting their profits, indicating sustainable business growth.
The women-led businesses cover a wide variety of sectors, including tailoring, packaged foods, dairy, beauty services, kirana stores, tiffin services, dry-cleaning, and earthenware, reflecting both the programme’s flexibility and the entrepreneurs’ responsiveness to local market demands.
Sanjay Agarwal, Founder, MD & CEO, AU Small Finance Bank said, “At AU Small Finance Bank, we believe that empowering women is fundamental to building resilient communities and we have been consistent in our efforts since 2018. The AU Udyogini program is a testament to our commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and financial inclusion. This strategic program is not limited to an individual entrepreneur, but it expands the ecosystem to support financial independence, self-reliance and economic diversification for women, with access to resources, training and financial literacy. Through our dedicated commitment, we have proudly supported women in establishing successful businesses across 55 diverse trades.”
Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus India Foundation, added, "Through our partnership with AU Small Finance Bank, we are creating pathways for women from peri-urban and rural regions to emerge as entrepreneurs and leaders within their communities. By equipping them with entrepreneurial and leadership skills, as well as access to resources, we are increasing India’s female labour force participation rate, fuelling grassroots innovation, and contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat. Every woman entrepreneur we empower becomes a catalyst for nation-building, driving change within her household and shaping the future of her community. When women thrive, communities thrive and ultimately, nations thrive."
To support long-term growth, the programme provided training in business fundamentals such as financial literacy, pricing, marketing, and customer service. Women also received guidance in business planning, formal registration, and local market linkages, along with six months of post-training mentorship.
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