84% of female entrepreneurs use digital payments; 38% tap credit platforms

Female entrepreneurs in India are leading the adoption of digital financial platforms, according to a new "Women and Finance" report from DBS Bank India and Deloitte. The study found that 84% of female entrepreneurs surveyed are actively using digital payment tools, making them the most active users across all surveyed demographics.

The data reveals that female founders are moving beyond basic payment collection. While UPI has become a baseline, they are now engaging with sophisticated digital financial ecosystems: 38% are actively using digital loan and credit platforms to fund business growth, and 29% are using digital brokerage and investment platforms.

These female-led businesses are managing complex operations entirely through digital channels—from payroll processing to vendor credit and large B2B transaction volumes. This shift marks a departure from the legacy banking sector's historical treatment of female entrepreneurs as a niche or microfinance segment.