Goldman Sachs partners with top Indian business schools to boost female entrepreneurship

Goldman Sachs is expanding its global "10,000 Women" initiative in India by partnering with the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow’s Enterprise Incubation Centre (IIM-L EIC), and the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

The two institutions will join IIM Bangalore’s NSRCEL to deliver business education, mentorship, networking, and access to capital for women entrepreneurs.

According to Goldman Sachs, the program now aims to graduate 1,000 women entrepreneurs in India within the next year and grow its national intake from 3,800 to 10,000 by 2033.

Sonjoy Chatterjee, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs’ business in India, said, "We are doubling our commitment to women entrepreneurs in India. Widening our partnership with India's premier business schools will drive a powerful combination of education, mentorship, and networks for these entrepreneurs. They will become pillars of India's growth."

"This collaboration helps address the critical structural barriers that women entrepreneurs face, particularly in accessing capital and professional networks," said IIM Ahmedabad Director Prof Bharat Bhasker.

"By combining our academic expertise with the global reach of the initiative, we can further bolster an ecosystem of women entrepreneurs to foster innovation, drive growth, and empower women to scale their businesses and become leaders in the Indian economy,” he added.

"Promoting female entrepreneurship in India is not just about breaking down barriers but creating a ripple effect that inspires entrepreneurs for generations to come, bolstering the impact and contribution women can have on the economy while driving positive change in society," said IIM Lucknow Director Prof MP Gupta, emphasizing the long-term impact.

“The association between IIM-L EIC and Goldman Sachs is committed to boosting women's entrepreneurship through this uniquely targeted initiative. The initiative will contribute to dismantling barriers and establishing a supportive ecosystem where women-led ventures can flourish, scale, and inspire,” Prof Gupta added.

Goldman Sachs noted in its "India Womenomics" research that India’s demographic advantage over the next two decades can only be fully realized if women’s workforce participation increases, a rate that currently lags behind many developed and emerging economies.