- Number of women members are increased in Tide by 282 percent
- Over 86,226 women members, up from 22,584 in February 2024
- 96 percent of women members are from Tier II, III, and IV cities, also known as 'Bharat'
Tide, the business financial platform for SMEs, has seen an impressive 282 percent increase in women members over the past year, as more female entrepreneurs across India adopt digital business tools. The platform now counts over 86,226 women members, up from just 22,584 in February 2024. Remarkably, 96 percent of these members come from Tier II, III, and IV cities, collectively known as 'Bharat,' highlighting the rising entrepreneurial drive beyond metro areas.
This growth mirrors a wider trend in India's economic landscape, where women-led businesses are becoming an increasingly important force. Currently, around 22 million small businesses in India are owned by women, representing about 20 percent of the country’s SMEs. Digital platforms like Tide are empowering these entrepreneurs by providing access to financial tools, streamlining operations, and enabling more efficient business growth.
Tide's data reveals the geographic distribution of women entrepreneurs, with the largest concentrations in Uttar Pradesh (16 percent) and Maharashtra (14 percent), followed by West Bengal (11 percent), Madhya Pradesh (9 percent), Bihar (9 percent), and Odisha (5 percent). Women-led businesses on the platform span diverse industries, with general stores, beauty salons, and tailoring businesses making up 31 percent of all digital enterprises.
Gurjodhpal Singh, CEO of Tide in India, emphasizes the importance of this shift "For years, entrepreneurship in India was closely tied to metro cities and family-owned businesses. Today, we are seeing a major change, with first-generation women entrepreneurs from smaller towns challenging traditional norms and using digital tools to build thriving businesses. These women are not only running successful enterprises but also creating jobs and transforming their communities."
This shift is largely driven by younger generations, with Gen Z (19-25 years) and Millennials (26-40 years) comprising 78 percent of Tide's women members. Remarkably, even older generations are embracing digital business tools, with 22 percent of Tide’s women members being Gen X and Baby Boomers. A standout example is an 89-year-old bookstore owner, showcasing how digital adoption is bridging generational divides.
To support this growth, Tide has partnered with women-focused incubators like WE Hub (Telangana’s state-led incubator), NEHHDC (North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited), and the Ubuntu Consortium. These collaborations focus on promoting digitization, raising policy awareness, and enhancing financial inclusion, helping more women-led businesses thrive in India's expanding economy.
Founded in 2015 and launched in 2017, Tide has quickly become a leading business financial platform. With over 650,000 SME members in the UK and 500,000 in India, the company is expanding further, having recently launched in Germany in May 2024. Tide's long-term goal is to become the world’s top financial platform for SMEs.
As India’s entrepreneurial landscape evolves, women-led businesses are poised to play a key role in driving economic growth. Tide's digital solutions are not only supporting these entrepreneurs but also empowering them to build sustainable, successful enterprises that are shaping the future of business in India.
