The Government of India reports that MSMEs contribute 30.1% of GDP (2022-23), employ 23.38 crore (233.8 million) people through the Udyam Registration Portal, and contribute 48% of total exports. This demonstrates the critical role of MSMEs and the significant opportunity for mentoring to drive business growth and sustainability across India's diverse economic landscape.

The Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) in Odisha, implemented by ni-msme with ADB support, assessed 1,014 beneficiaries, with 67% women participants. The programme achieved remarkable outcomes: 98% reported higher profits, 97% scaled or diversified their businesses, and 97.5% improved decision-making. 98.8% continued their mentor relationships beyond the programme, and 96% were linked to financial institutions. The programme created 699 new livelihoods, with average monthly revenue increasing from ₹17,000 to over ₹50,000+.

The Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) has supported over 2,00,000+ economically disadvantaged youth, facilitated ₹820 crore in microfinance loans, and catalysed the creation of 5,00,000+ direct and indirect jobs. The BYST model operates across 70 countries via Youth Business International. Notably, 85% of women face initial loan denial, but mentoring builds trust and enables access to finance. The mentor multiplier effect demonstrates that every mentor creates 5 businesses, each generating 10 direct and 14 indirect jobs.

The Young Grampreneur Development Programme in Maharashtra, implemented by BYST, reached 6,400 youth through awareness campaigns, provided one-on-one business counselling to 1,900 youth, and trained 800 youth through certified STEP training. The programme directly supported 100 entrepreneurs with bank-linked funding, facilitated ₹5 crore in loans, and created 1,500 direct and indirect local jobs. 150 institutional mentors were trained via Mentoring India®. BYST's nine-year track record in the region has supported 1,000+ entrepreneurs.

The NITI Aayog Women's Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) has engaged 90,000+ women entrepreneurs with 47+ ecosystem partners. The 'We Rise' initiative mentored 100 high-growth potential women-led MSMEs for export readiness. WEP addresses 6 ecosystem needs: finance, markets, skilling, mentoring, compliance, and business development services. Established in 2018, WEP has become a national aggregator for women entrepreneurs.

The MANAGE National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management has a national mandate to enhance extension personnel competency for mentoring agripreneurs. Agribusiness incubators are fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in food processing and agri-startups. Agripreneur mentoring focuses on sustainable technology adoption and managerial competencies, strengthening India's agricultural sector and rural livelihoods.

With 67% women participation in the Odisha EDP and 90,000+ women engaged through WEP, mentoring programmes are demonstrating significant impact on women's economic independence. The 3% profitability edge of women-owned MSMEs underscores the business case for supporting women entrepreneurs through structured mentoring and access to finance.

The BYST model demonstrates that mentoring creates a powerful ripple effect: 1 mentor creates 5 businesses, each generating 10 direct jobs and 14 indirect jobs. This multiplier effect amplifies the impact of mentoring across communities, creating sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty.

The Odisha EDP demonstrated that 98.8% of entrepreneurs continued their mentor relationships beyond the programme, highlighting the importance of long-term, sustained mentoring relationships for business success. The programme also showed that 96% of entrepreneurs were linked to financial institutions, demonstrating how mentoring can bridge the critical gap between entrepreneurs and formal financial services.