Thousands of contenders. 22 categories. One award that matters. Register for the ET MSME Awards 2025 before August 31, 2025.
When Payel Mukherjee started Justwords Consultants in 2013, hers was one of few enterprises serving Indian companies that wanted to increase brand visibility. Twelve years on, her content marketing agency now serves a global client base, with a firm foothold in SERP (search engine page ranking) expertise. Mukherjee has several awards to her name, not least the ‘Indian MSME Women Entrepreneur of the Year’, which she bagged at the ET MSME Awards 2023.
“A big shout out to the ET MSME Awards for putting a spotlight on the efforts of MSMEs. This recognition is a testament to our commitment towards helping businesses do better business through innovative marketing and outstanding content,” she said on the winning occasion.
Mukherjee’s is one of numerous women-led success stories championed and rewarded by India’s biggest MSME awards. Now in its sixth year, the ET MSME Awards continues honouring women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises across services, manufacturing, and trade. Past winners include Unique Solution, Prevest DenPro, and SB Scaffolding (India) (2024), rProcess Outsourcing and PM Relocations (2023), and Suta (2022).
“This award is a great recognition of the hard work of a 1,000-odd people. We have a majority of rural people and women in our workforce. They aren't just doing their daily jobs, but also creating global impact. [This accolade] is testament to that. It gives us so much energy to grow further and give back to society,” said rProcess Co-founder and CEO Savitha Mallappa, after winning the accolade.
The ET MSME Awards 2025 'Women Entrepreneur of the Year' category isn’t just lip service. It exists to enable women-led enterprises with potential partnerships, investors, market expansions, and due recognition in a sector that’s not only dominated by men, but grapples with credit inaccessibility, skilling and technology gaps, and mentorship deficit.
If you're reading this as a woman running an Indian MSME, this is your gateway to the kind of visibility that will rewrite your business story.
Apply NOW for the ‘Indian MSME Women Entrepreneur of the Year’ category at the ET MSME Awards 2025 before August 31, 2025.
Beyond the trophy
Women entrepreneurs run nearly 14% of India's MSMEs, contributing significantly to the country's economic backbone. Yet, how many can you name off the top of your head? The problem isn't capability, but visibility.
Consider what national recognition could mean in practical terms. Perhaps client enquiries for your sustainable packaging startup will increase threefold within six months due to the publicity. Or maybe your automation services for logistics companies will get new investors thanks to all the networking you can do at the Awards grand finale.
The ET MSME Awards 2025 doesn’t just validate past achievements. It opens doors to future opportunities that would otherwise remain locked. There’s also the credibility that comes with being recognised by India’s largest business publication, alongside industry veterans and business leaders. When banks evaluate loan applications, investors consider funding proposals, and large corporations seek reliable MSME partners, recognised excellence speaks louder than the best pitch deck.
More importantly, your win becomes a beacon for other women entrepreneurs. In a context where women business leaders still fight for the same respect their male counterparts receive by default, every recognition creates ripples that extend far beyond individual success.
Sector no bar
Here's what holds some eligible women entrepreneurs back: the belief that their business isn't "big enough" or "revolutionary enough" to merit consideration. This mindset is not just wrong, but counterproductive.
The beauty of MSME awards lies in recognising diverse forms of excellence. Whether you've innovated in traditional sectors, created employment in underserved areas, demonstrated resilience during economic challenges, or pioneered sustainable practices, your story has merit. The process begins with simply submitting your story, and industry experts, not you, determine whether it deserves recognition.
At the end of the day, women founders and managers who’ve navigated challenges while building businesses have stories that need telling. Enterprises that thrived, pivoted, or simply survived despite obstacles demonstrate exactly the kind of leadership these awards seek to celebrate.
MSMEs are increasingly viewed as crucial drivers of India’s economic growth. Being recognised now positions you at the forefront of this narrative, not as an afterthought.
All reward, no risk
The risk of applying is non-existent: just a few hours spent documenting your achievements and impact. And a few minutes submitting your nomination. The potential reward, however, is transformative. The process of articulating your business journey, quantifying your impact, and positioning your company among India's finest MSMEs is valuable in itself.
The ET MSME Awards 2025 nominations are open only until August 31, with a straightforward submission process designed to efficiently capture your story. Industry veterans are ready to review. The jury is prepared to recognise excellence. The stage is set for national recognition. The only missing piece is your decision to believe that your struggle, innovation, or impact deserves to be heard.
Because somewhere in India, there's another woman entrepreneur who needs to see that recognition is possible. That growth is achievable. That her business matters.
Your nomination isn't just about your success. It's about expanding the definition of what Indian entrepreneurship looks like.
The application portal is waiting. Your story is ready. What are you waiting for?
Deadline fast approaching for the ET MSME Awards 2025. Apply now for the ‘Indian MSME Women Entrepreneur of the Year’ category (one each for micro, small, and medium enterprises).
When Payel Mukherjee started Justwords Consultants in 2013, hers was one of few enterprises serving Indian companies that wanted to increase brand visibility. Twelve years on, her content marketing agency now serves a global client base, with a firm foothold in SERP (search engine page ranking) expertise. Mukherjee has several awards to her name, not least the ‘Indian MSME Women Entrepreneur of the Year’, which she bagged at the ET MSME Awards 2023.
“A big shout out to the ET MSME Awards for putting a spotlight on the efforts of MSMEs. This recognition is a testament to our commitment towards helping businesses do better business through innovative marketing and outstanding content,” she said on the winning occasion.
Mukherjee’s is one of numerous women-led success stories championed and rewarded by India’s biggest MSME awards. Now in its sixth year, the ET MSME Awards continues honouring women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises across services, manufacturing, and trade. Past winners include Unique Solution, Prevest DenPro, and SB Scaffolding (India) (2024), rProcess Outsourcing and PM Relocations (2023), and Suta (2022).
“This award is a great recognition of the hard work of a 1,000-odd people. We have a majority of rural people and women in our workforce. They aren't just doing their daily jobs, but also creating global impact. [This accolade] is testament to that. It gives us so much energy to grow further and give back to society,” said rProcess Co-founder and CEO Savitha Mallappa, after winning the accolade.
The ET MSME Awards 2025 'Women Entrepreneur of the Year' category isn’t just lip service. It exists to enable women-led enterprises with potential partnerships, investors, market expansions, and due recognition in a sector that’s not only dominated by men, but grapples with credit inaccessibility, skilling and technology gaps, and mentorship deficit.
If you're reading this as a woman running an Indian MSME, this is your gateway to the kind of visibility that will rewrite your business story.
Apply NOW for the ‘Indian MSME Women Entrepreneur of the Year’ category at the ET MSME Awards 2025 before August 31, 2025.
Beyond the trophy
Women entrepreneurs run nearly 14% of India's MSMEs, contributing significantly to the country's economic backbone. Yet, how many can you name off the top of your head? The problem isn't capability, but visibility.
Consider what national recognition could mean in practical terms. Perhaps client enquiries for your sustainable packaging startup will increase threefold within six months due to the publicity. Or maybe your automation services for logistics companies will get new investors thanks to all the networking you can do at the Awards grand finale.
The ET MSME Awards 2025 doesn’t just validate past achievements. It opens doors to future opportunities that would otherwise remain locked. There’s also the credibility that comes with being recognised by India’s largest business publication, alongside industry veterans and business leaders. When banks evaluate loan applications, investors consider funding proposals, and large corporations seek reliable MSME partners, recognised excellence speaks louder than the best pitch deck.
More importantly, your win becomes a beacon for other women entrepreneurs. In a context where women business leaders still fight for the same respect their male counterparts receive by default, every recognition creates ripples that extend far beyond individual success.
Sector no bar
Here's what holds some eligible women entrepreneurs back: the belief that their business isn't "big enough" or "revolutionary enough" to merit consideration. This mindset is not just wrong, but counterproductive.
The beauty of MSME awards lies in recognising diverse forms of excellence. Whether you've innovated in traditional sectors, created employment in underserved areas, demonstrated resilience during economic challenges, or pioneered sustainable practices, your story has merit. The process begins with simply submitting your story, and industry experts, not you, determine whether it deserves recognition.
At the end of the day, women founders and managers who’ve navigated challenges while building businesses have stories that need telling. Enterprises that thrived, pivoted, or simply survived despite obstacles demonstrate exactly the kind of leadership these awards seek to celebrate.
MSMEs are increasingly viewed as crucial drivers of India’s economic growth. Being recognised now positions you at the forefront of this narrative, not as an afterthought.
All reward, no risk
The risk of applying is non-existent: just a few hours spent documenting your achievements and impact. And a few minutes submitting your nomination. The potential reward, however, is transformative. The process of articulating your business journey, quantifying your impact, and positioning your company among India's finest MSMEs is valuable in itself.
The ET MSME Awards 2025 nominations are open only until August 31, with a straightforward submission process designed to efficiently capture your story. Industry veterans are ready to review. The jury is prepared to recognise excellence. The stage is set for national recognition. The only missing piece is your decision to believe that your struggle, innovation, or impact deserves to be heard.
Because somewhere in India, there's another woman entrepreneur who needs to see that recognition is possible. That growth is achievable. That her business matters.
Your nomination isn't just about your success. It's about expanding the definition of what Indian entrepreneurship looks like.
The application portal is waiting. Your story is ready. What are you waiting for?
Deadline fast approaching for the ET MSME Awards 2025. Apply now for the ‘Indian MSME Women Entrepreneur of the Year’ category (one each for micro, small, and medium enterprises).
