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Event Overview

Walmart Vriddhi, as part of its ongoing efforts to enable and empower MSMEs in India, hosted the Walmart Vriddhi MSME Connect 2025 in Panipat on October 29, 2025, at Days Hotel by Wyndham. Organized in collaboration with the Directorate of MSME, Government of Haryana, the event witnessed the participation of over 130 delegates, government officials, and representatives from eleven industry associations. Dr. Pankaj, IAS, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner, Municipal Council, Panipat, and Sh. Vikas Jangra, Joint Director, District MSME Centre, Panipat, graced the occasion as the Chief Guests.

The event highlighted Walmart Vriddhi’s partnership with the Government of Haryana to strengthen key industry clusters and showcased inspiring MSME success stories. It also underscored Walmart’s commitment to enable MSMEs with digital training, market access, and personalized mentoring support.

The event saw participation from representatives of key industry bodies such as the Haryana Chamber of Commerce & Industries (District Unit), HUDA Panipat, and the Panipat Exporters Association, along with senior industry leaders including Sh. Rajiv Aggarwal, Sh. Lalit Goel, H.S. Dhammu, Sh. Vineet Sharma, Sh. Veer Bhan Singla, and Sh. Purshottam Sharma.

Key Speakers and Sessions

In the opening session, Parul Soni, emphasized that Walmart Vriddhi’s free-of-cost training, mentorship, and market access opportunities are empowering MSMEs to unlock new avenues of growth and build a stronger domestic and global footprint.

Sh. Vikas Jangra, highlighted Panipat’s growing global manufacturing strength and urged MSMEs to leverage government support and programs like Walmart Vriddhi to scale and compete internationally.Dr. Pankaj, noted that as technology rapidly reshapes business and opens new eCommerce driven opportunities, programs like Walmart Vriddhi become vital in strengthening MSMEs and helping them build resilient enterprises, and contribute to a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The session also saw Walmart Vriddhi graduates share their experiences with fellow MSMEs who were in attendance. Walmart Vriddhi graduate, Sagar Kalra, the owner of Arch Fab who completed the learning program in 2021, reflected on the valuable mentorship received, especially in branding and marketing. Manu Gulati, Founder of Loops N Knots, a 2022 graduate of the program, described the learnings as a guiding force during the early, complex stages of her entrepreneurial journey.

Walmart Vriddhi’s mentor, Rajiv Bajaj touched upon the program’s success in enhancing MSME capabilities around cashflow management, team building, and operational excellence. He has mentored over 150 Walmart Vriddhi graduates through workshops, coaching, and one-on-one sessions, and continues to guide many more through workshops and personalized mentoring sessions today.

Orientation & Interaction

During the orientation session, Ravikant Suman, Head – Academy & Mentoring, i2i Foundation, briefed MSMEs on the program’s training modules, mentorship structure, and onboarding process. In the Cross Border Trade (CBT) session, Hemanth Bhamidipati from Walmart Marketplace, emphasized the importance of taking Indian MSMEs to global customers through Walmart.com. The event concluded with an interactive Q&A, where team members from Ideas to Impact Foundation addressed participants’ queries.

Way Forward

Key highlights from the event included the strengthened collaboration between Walmart Vriddhi, and government and local industry bodies, which enhanced mobilization thereby enhancing credibility and on-ground participation. The discussions also emphasized expansion of Walmart Vriddhi’s reach across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to tap into MSME clusters and to help MSMEs to onboard onto platforms such as Flipkart and Walmart Marketplace.

In September 2025, Walmart Vriddhi continued its efforts to empower MSMEs through a series of impactful masterclasses across India. Through partnerships with government bodies, development centres, and industry associations, the program engaged with entrepreneurs in Jaipur, Hyderabad, Shahdol, and Faridabad. It equipped them  with digital skills, knowledge resources, and business tools to strengthen their enterprises and adapt to evolving market demands.

Masterclass in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Walmart Vriddhi collaborated with the MSME Development Center to engage 45+ MSMEs in Jaipur. The session provided insights on business sustainability, digital enablement, and preparation of enterprises for future growth. Participants learned how Walmart Vriddhi’s free-of-cost training resources and marketplace access can support them in scaling their businesses.

Masterclass in Hyderabad, Telangana

In Hyderabad, 35+ MSMEs participated in a session organized in partnership with the District Industries Centre (DIC). The session focused on strategies for strengthening business models, adopting digital tools, and enhancing competitiveness in both Flipkart and Walmart Marketplace.

Masterclass in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh

Under the Government of Madhya Pradesh’s RAMP initiative, a session was conducted in Shahdol, bringing together MSMEs to discuss opportunities for business growth. Entrepreneurs learned crucial aspects of business management, including finance, marketing, workforce management, and environmental sustainability.

Masterclass in Faridabad, Haryana

In Faridabad, Walmart Vriddhi partnered with IMT Faridabad to deliver a masterclass for 25+ entrepreneurs. The interactive session underscored the importance of eCommerce adoption. It also highlighted how leveraging digital capabilities can unlock growth through Walmart Vriddhi’s business learning modules, personalized mentoring, and market access.

Bridging Global Expertise with Local Entrepreneurship

Through these ongoing engagements, Walmart Vriddhi continues to demonstrate the value of on-ground initiatives. These efforts enable MSMEs to modernize, scale, and achieve their domestic and international ambitions. By combining Walmart’s global supply chain expertise with Flipkart’s nationwide eCommerce ecosystem, the program empowers entrepreneurs to build successful and sustainable business models.

Masterclass at Mau, Uttar Pradesh

Walmart Vriddhi engaged with MSMEs in Mau, Uttar Pradesh to empower local artisans and microentrepreneurs with essential skills for business growth.

This initiative enabled MSMEs to gain market readiness and practical business opportunities. The sessions highlighted the program’s unique offerings— free-of-cost digital learning resources, market readiness support, and access to business tools and markets. The MSMEs were also oriented on the tools available by Walmart Vriddhi to integrate into Flipkart and Walmart Marketplaces.

The artisans of Mau explored how the program can support them strengthen their businesses, expand beyond their current markets, and how to adapt to changing consumer demands through digital enablement.

Masterclass at Alwar, Rajasthan

In Alwar, Rajasthan, Walmart Vriddhi partnered with Laghu Udyog Bharati (Small Industries Association) to host a Masterclass that brought together over 60 enthusiastic entrepreneurs. Designed as an interactive learning experience, the session provided practical insights on building sustainable business models, strengthening financial literacy, and adopting digital tools for growth.

Masterclass at Mysuru, Karnataka

Walmart Vriddhi also organized a masterclass in Mysuru, Karnataka, which was attended by 85+ MSMEs. Program officers facilitated onboarding for new sellers and addressed queries from existing ones. The sessions encouraged peer learning, enabling participants to share challenges and solutions while fostering a strong community of entrepreneurs driven by innovation and growth.

Driving Inclusive Growth

By combining Walmart’s global supply chain expertise with Flipkart’s pan-India eCommerce capabilities, Walmart Vriddhi continues to create opportunities that empowers small businesses thrive in an increasingly digital economy. Through partnerships and grassroots outreach, the program is scaling its impact across MSMEs of all sizes and across regions.

With every new MSME  reached, every masterclass delivered, and every entrepreneur empowered, Walmart Vriddhi is fostering inclusive and sustainable growth for Indian businesses, helping unlock their potential  to reach new national and international markets.