Empowering Green: Exploring the Rise and Hurdles of Women-Led Eco Startups in India

In today’s globalized era, Indian women are increasingly contributing to national development through innovative business ventures. Women-led startups, once comprising only 20% of enterprises, are projected to reach 33% by 2030. A growing number of these ventures focus on eco-friendly industries such as renewable energy, sustainable fashion, organic farming, and waste management. Driven by rising environmental awareness, government initiatives like Startup India and WEP, and increased access to digital tools and funding, women entrepreneurs are playing a vital role in India’s green economy. Despite this growth, women-led eco-startups face significant challenges including limited access to green finance, infrastructure gaps, socio-cultural constraints, and lack of market awareness. This study explores their dual focus on sustainability and entrepreneurship, emphasizing their growth potential and the hurdles they face. It calls for targeted policies, improved funding mechanisms, and stronger support networks. A mixed-methods approach is employed to offer a well-rounded analysis of this emerging sector.