Branch International and United Way Mumbai Launch ‘Saksham’ to Support Women Entrepreneurs in Maharashtra

Mumbai, December 17, 2025: Branch International, in collaboration with United Way Mumbai (UWM), has implemented Saksham – Promoting Entrepreneurship among Women, a CSR initiative aimed at strengthening women-led micro-enterprises in Maharashtra. The programme has supported 63 women from Badlapur, Bhiwandi and Diva by equipping them with essential business skills and livelihood tools to advance financial independence.

Under the initiative, participants underwent a three-day (18-hour) Entrepreneurial Development Program (EDP) that focused on foundational business and financial management skills. The training was delivered through interactive modules, group discussions and hands-on sessions by certified trainers and subject-matter experts. Designed to be accessible irrespective of academic background, the programme aimed to build entrepreneurial mindsets and provide practical tools to help women launch or scale their micro-enterprises. 

Each participant also received a Saksham Business Toolkit tailored to individual skills and aspirations. The toolkits included 20 flour mills, 20 tailoring machines, three beauty parlour setups, two fall binding machines, two cake-making kits and 16 food service kits. These resources were intended to bridge the gap between skill development and income generation, enabling sustainable livelihoods for the beneficiaries. 

Commenting on the initiative, Neeraj Gupta, MD, Branch India, said, “At Branch, our CSR philosophy in India is to enable communities to thrive by strengthening financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and essential social development needs. The Saksham program, which has supported 63 women entrepreneurs, is a testament to the impact we can achieve together. We look forward to broadening our CSR initiatives across diverse causes to create long-term, systemic change.” 

George Aikara, CEO, United Way Mumbai, said, “We champion empowering women to transform lives and communities. Through the Saksham project, and with the support of Branch International, we helped realize the aspirations of 63 women entrepreneurs from marginalized communities in Mumbai. This partnership laid the foundation for lasting financial independence, enabling these women to uplift themselves, their families, and their communities.” 

The programme also highlighted beneficiary journeys, including women who had already begun small businesses and others who were entering entrepreneurship for the first time. The Saksham initiative reflects a continued focus by Branch International and United Way Mumbai on gender empowerment, financial inclusion and community development, demonstrating how collaborative CSR efforts can deliver measurable social impact.