A new collaboration aimed at strengthening women entrepreneurship in India was formalized on March 17, 2026, as the British Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Spark – The 100K Collective in New Delhi. The initiative is supported by Smriti Irani, founder of the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality, who has been advocating for institutional partnerships to advance women’s economic participation.
Smriti Irani, British Council partner to support 1 lakh women entrepreneurs in India
The program focuses on supporting approximately one lakh women entrepreneurs across the country, especially in the “missing middle” segment. These are individuals who have grown from small-scale operations but face challenges in growing their businesses due to limited access to skills, networks and resources.
Under the partnership, the British Council will provide training in English, communication and digital skills. It aims to enable women entrepreneurs to improve business pitches, expand professional networks and access larger markets. The collaboration also seeks to build a comprehensive support ecosystem, covering areas such as governance, compliance, visibility and leadership development.
Speaking at the event, Smriti Irani highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing gender equality. “The Coalition for Global Wellbeing – Gender Equality and Equity was founded on the belief that advancing gender equality requires stronger collaboration across institutions and sectors. Women entrepreneurs across India are already demonstrating extraordinary leadership and resilience. By strengthening access to skills, resources and supportive networks, initiatives like this can help women raise their ambitions into sustainable enterprises and fully participate in shaping India’s economic future,” she said.
Scott MacDonald, chief executive of the British Council, underlined the role of skills and education in driving opportunities. “At the British Council, we see education, skills and connections as powerful drivers of opportunity. Helping women build the capabilities they need to grow their businesses and participate fully in the economy is a key part of that vision. Through this collaboration, we are delighted to bring our experience in English and skills development to help female entrepreneurs strengthen their communications, expand their networks and scale their ventures with confidence.”
Lindy Cameron also stressed the importance of the initiative, noting its potential to help women entrepreneurs integrate into global supply chains through improved language and communication skills.
Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary at the UK Department for Education, described the program as an encouraging example of how access to language and communication can expand opportunities not just in India but globally.
The agreement was signed in the presence of senior representatives from both sides at the New Delhi office of the British Council. This partnership signals a continued effort to create structured, scalable support systems for women-led enterprises with a focus on long-term growth and economic inclusion.
