New Delhi

A growing wave of women entrepreneurs in India is reshaping traditional business norms, with more young women from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities venturing into sectors once dominated by men, according to internal data from Tide, the UK-based business management platform.

Women aged 27 to 31 account for a large share of new business owners on Tide, representing India’s largest demographic group. With over 180,000 women entrepreneurs, they make up 18.7% of Tide’s Indian member base. This reflects a broader trend of women choosing entrepreneurship as a structured path toward financial independence and flexible livelihoods, especially outside metropolitan areas.

Smaller towns such as Gulharia (Uttar Pradesh), Harnul (Maharashtra), Bisrakh (Uttar Pradesh), and Indore (Madhya Pradesh) are seeing women formalising skill-based and service-led businesses through digital tools. While sectors like tailoring and beauty services have traditionally been female-led, Tide’s data highlights a strong rise in women-led businesses across:

• Device repair – including mobile, tablet, and computer repairs in West Bengal and Tier 2 cities.
• Accounting and tax services – young women managing formal finance and compliance services.
• Nursing and personal care services – growing notably in Madhya Pradesh.
• Micro-manufacturing and sewing services – now adopting digital payments and accounting tools.

“This is a generational shift,” said Gurjodhpal Singh, CEO of Tide India. “Women are breaking stereotypes, using digital tools to scale income, contribute to household earnings, and generate local employment. Many in their late twenties and early thirties are using entrepreneurship as a launchpad for self-determined growth.”

Digital adoption is driving this change. Tide reported a 111% increase in new women-led businesses between March and November 2025, as entrepreneurs embrace formalisation, regulated business practices, and digital payments. These practices also improve credit visibility, helping women access financial products needed for growth.

Key Tide products empowering these women include:

1. Debit services – for seamless management of daily business expenses.
2. Digital bill payments – enabling structured financial tracking.
3. QR code payments – reducing cash dependence and increasing business visibility.

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Tide aims to support 500,000 women entrepreneurs across Tier 2 to Tier 5 cities by 2027 through expanded digital tools, financial education, and on-ground initiatives.