Smriti Irani, British Council Partner to Empower 1 Lakh Women Entrepreneurs

• A new partnership between Smriti Irani's gender equity initiative and the British Council aims to support 1 lakh women entrepreneurs in India.
• The agreement, signed on March 17, 2026, in New Delhi, focuses on scaling up support for women-led businesses.
• The collaboration targets the "missing middle" – women who have moved beyond micro-enterprise but lack resources for expansion.
• The British Council will provide training in English language, communication, and digital skills to enhance market access.
• The initiative, SPARK – The 100K Collective, seeks to create a comprehensive support ecosystem including governance guidance and market visibility.