As India marks the 10th anniversary of the Startup India initiative on January 16, 2026 — a programme that has spurred innovation, job creation and startup growth nationwide — Amazon India has reiterated its commitment to supporting early-stage ventures and women-led businesses through its marketplace and specialised programmes. Through collaborations with the government and industry bodies, Amazon has worked to help startups scale and gain market access via initiatives like Amazon Launchpad and targeted support schemes for women entrepreneurs.
Central to this effort is Amazon Saheli, a programme designed to empower women — including homemakers, artisans and small business owners — by helping them become successful sellers on Amazon.in, reach customers across India and grow sustainable businesses. The initiative partners with more than 70 government bodies, NGOs and non-profits to onboard and support women founders from diverse regions, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Alongside Saheli, Amazon has also supported Amazon Karigar, which focuses on artisans and craft makers and has assisted over 18 lakh artisans in showcasing handmade products to a wider marketplace. These efforts are part of Amazon’s broader strategy to reduce barriers for small sellers and provide tools and infrastructure that facilitate growth, visibility and operational support for early-stage and women-led businesses.
Looking ahead, Amazon is preparing for the second season of Saheli Accelerate — a structured growth programme offering mentorship, onboarding help and visibility boosts for women-led startups — to extend its reach to even more founders across India.
