Female entrepreneurs in India are emerging as the most active adopters of digital financial tools, leveraging platforms across payments, credit and investments to manage and grow their businesses. From widespread use of UPI and digital payments to increasing engagement with lending and brokerage platforms, their financial behaviour reflects a broader shift towards efficiency, accessibility and tech-driven decision-making.
As digital adoption deepens, female entrepreneurs are not only embracing financial tools at scale but also shaping how these platforms evolve to meet business needs.
As per a report by DBS Bank India and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP (DTTI LLP), female entrepreneurs are the most active users of digital financial tools and platforms among all cohorts surveyed. Digital payment tools are the most widely adopted, used by 84% of female entrepreneurs. Across cohorts, UPI continues to gain traction, with usage standing at 72% among female entrepreneurs.
Beyond banking and payments, female entrepreneurs are increasingly engaging with a wider ecosystem of digital financial tools and platforms. Among those surveyed, 38% use loan and credit platforms, while 29% use brokerage platforms.
“Among female entrepreneurs, digital tools are becoming increasingly integral to business management, supporting everything from payments, credit and payroll to customer acquisition and future planning.” — Divyesh Dalal, Managing Director and Country Head, Global Transaction Services, Corporate Banking, Financial Institutions and SMEs, DBS Bank
Divyesh Dalal, Managing Director and Country Head, Global Transaction Services, Corporate Banking, Financial Institutions and SMEs, DBS Bank, said, “The findings of this report highlight an encouraging shift in the way women are engaging with their finances. Among female entrepreneurs, digital tools are becoming increasingly integral to business management, supporting everything from payments, credit and payroll to customer acquisition and future planning. The study also underscores the importance of trust, convenience, and accessibility in driving digital adoption.”
“As digital adoption deepens, entrepreneurs are increasingly seeking solutions that enhance operational efficiency and support their growth ambitions. Sustaining this momentum requires going beyond traditional banking to create connected ecosystems that help entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. By deepening our understanding of this segment and continuing to innovate in response to evolving needs, we aim to help female entrepreneurs build and scale their businesses”, he added.
Half (50%) of the female entrepreneurs surveyed report using personal credit cards frequently, including 19% who use them daily and 31% who use them a few times a week.
Travel-related rewards, including hotel offers, air miles, lounge access and travel insurance, are the most preferred credit card benefit among female entrepreneurs. Preference for travel-related rewards is particularly pronounced among younger respondents, rising to 68% among female entrepreneurs aged 26–35 years.
Among female entrepreneurs surveyed, spending is concentrated on people, growth and technology. Beyond staff salaries and contractor payments (65%) and marketing, branding, content creation and customer acquisition (53%), 37% report spending on software, technology tools and platforms.
As digital adoption deepens, female entrepreneurs are not only embracing financial tools at scale but also shaping how these platforms evolve to meet business needs. Their growing reliance on payments, credit, and technology-driven solutions underscores a shift towards more structured, growth-oriented operations. With continued focus on trust, accessibility and integrated ecosystems, this segment is set to play a pivotal role in driving the next phase of India’s digital and entrepreneurial economy.
