Women Enterprise Development (WED) scheme

The WED Scheme is run by the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises , Government of India. It was launched to promote and facilitate women entrepreneurship by offering financial assistance to women‐led business ventures, including new projects and expansion or modernisation of existing units. The scheme helps you as a woman entrepreneur to access term-loan support, thereby enabling business set-up or growth with comparatively favourable terms. It is applicable for projects up to a certain cost limit, and women in the age group of 18-50 years are eligible.

Key Features
Financial Assistance
Eligibility Criteria
Documents Required
Application Process for the Scheme

Key Features

Term-loan assistance up to 75% of project cost: You can receive financing of up to three-quarters of the total project cost, reducing your personal investment burden.
Project cost should not exceed ₹ 15 lakhs (including working capital): Your entire project – set-up + working capital – must be within this ceiling to qualify.
Promoter’s contribution minimum 25% of project cost: You must bring in at least one-fourth of the project cost from your own funds or eligible sources.
Eligible age group of women: 18-50 years: Applicants must be within this age range to apply for the scheme.
Both new business ventures and existing business expansion or modernisation or diversification are eligible: Whether you are setting up a new enterprise or wish to expand/modernise/diversify an existing business, you may apply under the scheme.
Women entrepreneurs must be engaged in any viable income generating activity including small business/trade etc: The scheme supports a wide range of business activities (manufacturing, services, trade) provided they are viable and woman-led.

Financial Assistance

Component	Assistance Provided	Detailed Explanation & Example
Project Cost Cap	Up to ₹ 15 lakhs (including working capital)	Your total project cost – say ₹ 12 lakhs for equipment, set-up and initial working capital – falls within the cap.
Term-Loan Assistance	Up to 75% of project cost	For a ₹ 10 lakh project, up to ₹ 7.5 lakhs may be provided as term-loan under this scheme.
Promoter’s Contribution	Minimum 25% of project cost	In the above example (₹ 10 lakh), you must bring at least ₹ 2.5 lakhs from your own sources.
Eligible Age of Applicant	Women aged 18-50 years	If you are 35 years old and starting a new venture, you fall within the eligible age bracket.
Business Type	New business or existing business expansion/modernisation/diversification	If you already run a small trade business and wish to diversify into manufacturing, you may apply.

Eligibility Criteria

Who can apply:

Applicant must be a woman entrepreneur, aged between 18 and 50 years.
You must be engaged in or planning a viable income-generating activity (manufacturing/trade/services) under a business venture.
The project cost (including working capital) must not exceed ₹ 15 lakhs.
You must contribute a minimum of 25% of the project cost from your own funds.
Both new enterprises and existing businesses (seeking expansion, modernisation or diversification) are eligible.

Who cannot apply:

Projects costing more than ₹ 15 lakhs (including working capital) are outside the scope of this scheme.
Applicants above the age of 50 years are not eligible under the scheme’s age criterion.
Businesses that are not women-led (i.e., women do not hold the responsibility/control) may not qualify.
Activities that are not viable income generating ventures may be rejected on appraisal.

Documents Required

Identity proof and age proof of the woman promoter (Aadhar, Voter ID, Passport).
Address proof of residence and business unit.
Business registration / legal entity documents (if applicable).
Project report (DPR) detailing business idea, cost breakdown (including working capital) and marketing/sales plan.
Bank account details, latest bank statements (if existing business).
Promoter contribution detail (minimum 25% of project cost).
Quotation of machinery/equipment/raw material cost.
Security documents: fixed asset charge, hypothecation of current assets, personal guarantee.
Any other NEDFi‐requested documents (clearance certificate, no default, etc).

Application Process for the Scheme

Option 1: Apply with Bullit (Recommended)

Click here to start with guided support. Our team verifies eligibility, compiles documents, and handles application & follow-ups on your behalf. You can monitor progress while focusing on operations.

Recommended for: Lean teams. Designed to save you time and effort. Access expert help from start to finish.

Option 2: Official NEDFi Route

Download the prescribed application form from NEDFi’s website
Prepare a project proposal including cost details, business plan, innovation or expansion strategy
Submit the completed application & required documents to: Chairman & Managing Director, NEDFi, NEDFi House, G.S. Road, Dispur, Guwahati – 781006, Assam
NEDFi will appraise the project (viability, security, promoter contribution, repayment ability).
On approval, execute the loan agreement, release funds, and start implementing/expanding your business with the support of NEDFi.

Option 3: Local Branch/State Facilitation
Visit your nearest NEDFi branch in the North-East. Receive counselling on the scheme, assistance with documentation, DPR preparation, and linkage to market/mentor services offered by NEDFi’s Entrepreneur Support division.