Walmart Vriddhi hosted MSME Connect 2026 in Kanpur on March 25, 2026, at Hotel The Bridge, bringing together MSMEs to engage with digital commerce ecosystems and explore market access opportunities. The event convened over 250 delegates including entrepreneurs, senior government representatives, and key ecosystem enablers, reflecting a strong convergence of stakeholders supporting MSME growth.
Shri Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Advisor to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Shri Saket Misra, Hon’ble Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, joined the occasion as the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, respectively.
The event commenced with opening remarks by Parul Soni, President and Trustee, Ideas to Impact Foundation, who highlighted Walmart Vriddhi’s continued efforts to strengthen MSMEs through digital tools, personalized mentorship, and market linkages. He underscored the importance of equipping small businesses with the capabilities required to navigate evolving market dynamics and unlock sustainable growth opportunities.
Nitin Prasad, Vice President, Walmart Sourcing,introduced the Walmart Vriddhi program and outlined its role in enabling MSMEs through free-of-cost business learning modules and access to marketplace opportunities. He emphasized how the program is helping entrepreneurs strengthen business readiness and gain access to both national and international markets. Shri Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Advisor to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh,shared the economic significance of the state’s MSME sector, noting that Uttar Pradesh is home to nearly 96 lakh MSMEs, with around 50 lakhs actively contributing to economic growth. He emphasized that this strong entrepreneurial base holds significant potential, particularly when supported through capacity-building and market access initiatives such as Walmart Vriddhi, which are helping MSMEs leverage eCommerce and export opportunities to scale and compete globally.
Saket Misra, Hon’ble Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, emphasized the need to further strengthen the competitiveness of MSMEs in Uttar Pradesh by promoting innovation and encouraging continuous skill and capability development. He shared that as market dynamics continue to evolve; local enterprises require targeted support systems that can help them adapt, grow, and remain resilient. Shri Jay Kumar Gupta, General Manager and Regional In-Charge – Lucknow, SIDBI, highlighted SIDBI’s role in supporting MSMEs through access to capital and financial solutions, and its incubation centers across the state that nurture entrepreneurship and business growth.
The event also featured an experience-sharing session by Walmart Vriddhi graduates Renuka Mishra, Founder of RenHomz and Deepak Rai, Owner of Alpinista. They reflected on how their journey with the program contributed to strengthening different aspects of their businesses, from improving operational and packaging practices to building digital capabilities and supporting business expansion.
The orientation sessions focused on building MSME understanding of digital commerce pathways and market access opportunities under Walmart Vriddhi. Kushal Singh from Walmart Marketplace, oriented participants on cross-border trade through Walmart.com. Akhil Sodani from Flipkart led a session on Flipkart onboarding and seller readiness and Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Academy masterclass was led by Amish Nishesh from Ideas to Impact Foundation who focused on strengthening business capabilities. The sessions concluded with an interactive Q&A addressing participant queries.
Discussions at the event underscored the importance of continued government collaboration in strengthening Walmart Vriddhi’s outreach across key MSME clusters and improving participation among local enterprises. Delegates also noted the growing interest among MSMEs in adopting digital commerce and exploring new market channels, particularly when supported through structured guidance, capacity-building, and ecosystem linkages.
The sessions further reinforced that cities such as Kanpur represent strong MSME opportunity hubs, where focused interventions can help enterprises build market readiness and access broader domestic and international opportunities. Strengthening such localized engagement will be important in enabling more MSMEs to leverage digital platforms and scale sustainably.
MUMBAI, Maharashtra, April 01 , 2026 — Walmart Vriddhi today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra through its program partner, Ideas to Impact Foundation.
This partnership is designed to create new growth opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Maharashtra. By providing digital learning resources and business tools, the initiative aims to help MSMEs grow, scale, and thrive in both domestic and international markets. The MoU, formalized on April 1, 2026 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, marks a significant milestone in Walmart Vriddhi’s mission to empower 100,000 MSMEs across India by 2028.
Through this collaboration, MSMEs in Maharashtra will gain access to free Walmart Vriddhi training and digital tools to strengthen their entrepreneurial capabilities and boost competitiveness. The Directorate of Industries will extend the program’s reach via its District Industries Centres (DICs), ensuring that Walmart Vriddhi’s training and capacity building efforts benefit entrepreneurs across the state. The program will focus on key industries such as textiles, handicrafts, agro-processing, leather goods, ready-made garments, silk, furniture, jewelry, confectionery, and brass metal products. The rollout will begin in districts including Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.
“MSMEs are the driving force behind Maharashtra’s economic progress, contributing significantly to industrial growth, employment generation, and the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our state,” said Shri P. Anbalagan, Principal Secretary Industries, Government of Maharashtra. “Our collaboration with Walmart Vriddhi reflects the Government of Maharashtra’s commitment to foster a future-ready MSME ecosystem and equip small businesses with the tools they need to compete in today’s markets.”
“The MSME sector remains one of India’s strongest engines of economic growth, fueled by the ingenuity and determination of its entrepreneurs”, said, Jason Fremstad, Senior Vice President, Sourcing & Procurement, Walmart. “Through this partnership, Walmart Vriddhi is empowering MSMEs to unlock their potential. By offering digital tools, business training, and market access, the program enables local enterprises to enhance their competitiveness and transform local impact into national and global opportunities.”
Entrepreneurs across Maharashtra are leveraging Walmart Vriddhi to modernize their businesses, strengthen digital capabilities, and access broader markets. Success stories from the state highlight the program’s tangible impact. For example, Harshal Gada, co-founder of Online Becho, a fast-growing digital retail company, utilized Walmart Vriddhi to refine brand positioning, streamline supply chains, and scale digital retail operations. Personalized mentorship helped to optimize inventory and expand manufacturing, positioning the company to bring quality Indian products to global markets.
Ecoserve India, led by Anindita Chaudhuri, is a sustainable, women-led enterprise creating eco-friendly handcrafted products from natural fibers and responsibly sourced materials. Founded on the belief that businesses should give back more to nature than they take, Ecoserve India benefited from Walmart Vriddhi’s support in refining its vision into a scalable strategy. The program enhanced the company’s understanding of digital channels, product positioning, and operational efficiency, enabling its artisans—90% of whom are women—to confidently reach wider markets.
Launched in 2019, Walmart Vriddhi is a supplier development program tailored to empower MSMEs in India to modernize, scale, and achieve their domestic and international ambitions. Combining Walmart’s global supply chain expertise with Flipkart’s nationwide eCommerce reach, the program offers MSMEs free training, mentoring, and business advice on finance, marketing, workforce management, logistics, and more. Since its inception, Walmart Vriddhi has successfully trained over 70,000 MSMEs in India.
MSMEs can register for the Walmart Vriddhi program to unlock growth opportunities: https://www.walmartvriddhi.org/register-with-walmartvriddhi Sellers aiming to expand internationally through Walmart Marketplace can register here: https://www.walmartvriddhi.org/register-with-walmart-marketplace
Walmart Inc. (Nasdaq: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 280 million customers and members visit more than 10,900 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2026 revenue of $713 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart, on X (formerly known as Twitter) at twitter.com/walmart, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/walmart.
Ideas to Impact (i2i) Foundation, implementation partner of Walmart Vriddhi, is a nonprofit committed to driving sustainable human development through innovative, community-focused solutions. i2i partners with governments, civil society, and corporates to create scalable programs that empower marginalized communities and support the Sustainable Development Goals. The Foundation’s work spans education, health, environment, and gender inclusion, focusing on building resilient, inclusive societies. Rooted in collaboration and transparency, i2i Foundation strives to create a lasting positive impact for a better future. Additional information about Ideas to Impact Foundation can be found by visiting:i2ifoundation.org/about-i2i-foundation
For more information, Contact
wmintmediainquiry@wal-mart.com
KANPUR, Uttar Pradesh, March 26, 2026 — Walmart Vriddhi, in partnership with Ideas to Impact Foundation (i2i), hosted Walmart Vriddhi MSME Connect 2026 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with the Department of MSME & Export Promotion, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The event convened entrepreneurs, government representatives and industry stakeholders to strengthen the MSME ecosystem in the state and spotlight opportunities available through the Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program.
Walmart Vriddhi continues to support MSMEs in Uttar Pradesh by providing free training, market access and tools to help build resilient, digitally enabled businesses. The program also delivers specialized training through workshops and seminars designed to strengthen core business capabilities.
Walmart Vriddhi continues to empower MSMEs in export-ready industry clusters across sectors such as leather products, footwear, textiles, hosiery and handicrafts—areas strongly represented in Uttar Pradesh. The program is also expanding its reach to MSME clusters in Agra, Mau, Moradabad, Meerut, Ghaziabad and Varanasi.
Launched in 2019, Walmart Vriddhi is designed to help MSMEs across India modernize, scale and pursue domestic and international growth. Earlier this year, Walmart Vriddhi, through its program partner, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to strengthen MSME capabilities and support onboarding onto Flipkart and Walmart Marketplace. The collaboration aligns with the “Make in India” initiative and aims to help local businesses expand their presence in national and global markets.
“In Uttar Pradesh, we have nearly 96 lakh MSMEs, of which around 50 lakh are actively engaged and demonstrating strong performance. With initiatives like Walmart Vriddhi, MSMEs are getting the right support to connect, learn and grow: whether it is selling through eCommerce channels like Flipkart, or exploring export opportunities through Walmart, the scope is significant. With the right guidance and support, our MSMEs can scale further and compete globally,” Shri Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Advisor to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh said at the event.
“Building strong MSMEs requires collaboration across the ecosystem. Creating pathways for MSMEs to grow and compete is essential for long-term business success. Walmart Vriddhi brings together free-of-cost training, personalized mentorship, and marketplace access to enable entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and reach new national and international markets,” said Jason Fremstad, Senior Vice President, Sourcing & Procurement, Walmart.
Entrepreneurs across the state are translating Walmart Vriddhi training into business growth. According to Renuka Mishra, owner of RenHomz, she strengthened her company’s product packaging, pricing and readiness through personalized mentorship—supporting 150+ women artisans and achieving 200% revenue growth. Likewise, according to Sanjay Kumar, owner of Prateek Enterprises, he advanced the company’s bird-net and safety-innovation business with guidance on pricing, market strategy and client engagement. Also according to Sanjay, by applying program learnings, his monthly sales grew from approximately ₹50,000 to over ₹10 lakh, while online revenue increased by more than 20% and sales through Flipkart rose by 30% within a year.
To meet entrepreneurs where they are—and where they aspire to be—Walmart Vriddhi continues to build a high-impact model that combines on-ground support with access to digital skilling tools, marketplace onboarding and personalized mentorship. By using digital tools to train MSMEs on critical aspects of business management—including finance, marketing, workforce management and environmental sustainability—the program helps entrepreneurs build scalable and sustainable business models.
MSMEs can register for the Walmart Vriddhi program at: https://retaillink.login.wal-mart.com/ Sellers looking to expand through Walmart Marketplace can register at: https://www.walmartvriddhi.org/register-with-walmart-marketplace
Walmart Inc. (Nasdaq: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 280 million customers and members visit more than 10,900 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2026 revenue of $713 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart, on X at x.com/walmart, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/Walmart
Ideas to Impact (i2i) Foundation, implementation partner of Walmart Vriddhi, is a nonprofit committed to driving sustainable human development through innovative, community-focused solutions. i2i partners with governments, civil society, and corporates to create scalable programs that empower marginalized communities and support the Sustainable Development Goals. The Foundation’s work spans education, health, environment, and gender inclusion, focusing on building resilient, inclusive societies. Rooted in collaboration and transparency, i2i Foundation strives to create a lasting positive impact for a better future. Additional information about Ideas to Impact Foundation can be found by visiting:
i2ifoundation.org/about-i2i-foundation
For more information, Contact
Guwahati, Assam, February 20, 2026 – Walmart Vriddhi, through its program partner Ideas to Impact Foundation, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises, Government of Assam, to support the growth and development of the state’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The MoU marks a significant milestone in Walmart Vriddhi’s efforts to empower an additional 100,000 MSMEs in India by 2028. Through this partnership, MSMEs in Assam will benefit from capacity building, digital empowerment, and enhanced access to markets. Walmart Vriddhi will provide free-of-cost training and business tools to help MSMEs modernize, scale, and participate in eCommerce, including on platforms such as Flipkart. The Government of Assam will facilitate the program’s outreach across the state, further strengthening its MSME ecosystem.
The program will focus on key industries in Assam, including bamboo, cane, handloom, and food processing, with initial rollout in districts such as Kamrup, Sonitpur, Cachar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Jorhat and others.
“MSMEs are a crucial pillar of India’s economy, driving local employment, innovation, and inclusive growth. This MoU represents a shared commitment to empower Assam’s MSME sector through enhanced access to markets, technology, and capacity-building support.” said Shri M. N. Dahal, IAS, Commissioner of Industries and Commerce, Department of Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises, Government of Assam. “By leveraging focussed statewide institutional support through District Industries Centres, we will strengthen entrepreneurial capacity, enable sustainable growth, and expand the reach of Assam’s enterprises.”
“Assam’s entrepreneurial spirit and rich tradition of craftsmanship present a tremendous opportunity to drive inclusive economic growth. Through Walmart Vriddhi, we are committed to empowering local MSMEs with the skills, resources, and market access they need to thrive in today’s digital economy” said, Jason Fremstad, Senior Vice President, Supplier Development, Sourcing, Walmart International. “Our collaboration with the Government of Assam will help unlock new avenues for small businesses across the state—enabling them to scale, innovate, and compete.”
Walmart Vriddhi is a supplier development program designed to empower MSMEs in India to modernize, scale, and achieve their domestic and international ambitions. Launched in 2019, the program combines Walmart’s global supply chain expertise with Flipkart’s nationwide eCommerce reach, offering MSMEs access to free training, mentoring, and business advice. To date, Walmart Vriddhi has trained more than 70,000 MSMEs across India, supporting small businesses in enhancing productivity and expanding into new markets.
MSMEs interested in joining the Walmart Vriddhi program can register to unlock growth opportunities at: https://retaillink.login.wal-mart.com/. Sellers aiming to expand internationally through Walmart Marketplace can register at: https://www.walmartvriddhi.org/register-with-walmart-marketplace.
Walmart Inc. (Nasdaq: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 280 million customers and members visit more than 10,900 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2026 revenue of $713 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart, on X at x.com/walmart, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/Walmart.
Ideas to Impact (i2i) Foundation, implementation partner of Walmart Vriddhi, is a nonprofit committed to driving sustainable human development through innovative, community-focused solutions. i2i partners with governments, civil society, and corporates to create scalable programs that empower marginalized communities and support the Sustainable Development Goals. The Foundation’s work spans education, health, environment, and gender inclusion, focusing on building resilient, inclusive societies. Rooted in collaboration and transparency, i2i Foundation strives to create a lasting positive impact for a better future. Additional information about Ideas to Impact Foundation can be found by visiting: i2ifoundation.org/about-i2i-foundation
For more information, Contact
