CFTI Launches ‘Startup Sakhi’ to Empower Women-Led SHGs in Maharashtra

New Delhi, April 15, 2026: Centre for Transforming India (CFTI) has announced the launch of ‘Startup Sakhi’, a new initiative aimed at strengthening women’s entrepreneurship and livelihoods through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The programme will begin as a pilot in Raigad district, Maharashtra, with plans to support around 1,000 women and attract 8,000–10,000 applications.

The initiative marks CFTI’s entry into the women empowerment and livelihood space, focusing on enabling rural women to build sustainable businesses. Startup Sakhi is designed to provide financial assistance, structured training, and continuous mentorship, helping women overcome barriers to economic participation.

The programme follows a phased selection and support model. In the first stage, 100 SHGs will be selected and provided ₹10,000 each along with basic training. In the second round, 50 SHGs will receive ₹25,000 and advanced mentorship to scale their business ideas. The top 25 SHGs will then enter an incubation phase, gaining hands-on experience in business planning, financial management, and digital tools.

In the final stage, the top five SHGs will receive financial awards, including ₹5 lakh for the first position, ₹3 lakh for the second, ₹2 lakh for the third, and ₹50,000 each for the fourth and fifth positions. Continued support will also be provided to help these enterprises grow sustainably.

Amit Deshpande said, "Startup Sakhi is about giving rural women the right opportunity and support to succeed. Many women already have strong ideas and the drive to work hard, but they need guidance, confidence, and access to resources. Through this initiative, we are not just providing funding, but we are also helping women build skills, start businesses, and create better futures for themselves and their families. Our goal is to create a model that can be scaled across India to support many more women entrepreneurs."

The initiative combines CSR partnership funding with institutional support, focusing on long-term capacity building rather than short-term financial assistance. By integrating mentorship, skills development, and practical training, Startup Sakhi aims to create a scalable model for women-led entrepreneurship and rural economic growth.