Visa (NYSE: V), the global leader in digital payments, has pledged US$1 million to United Way Mumbai (UWM), to empower women-owned and women-focused businesses over the next three years. The project will be implemented in a total of 170 villages/towns across four states – Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, and Karnataka and will focus on creating sustainable, long-term skills for entrepreneurship among participants. The project aims to train over 8500 women and connect them with financial services relevant to their enterprises and communities.
Announcing the commitment, Sandeep Ghosh, Group Country Manager India & South Asia, Visa, said, “At Visa, We look forward to this partnership making meaningful contributions to deserving communities in times to come.”
The Visa – UWM project will target three core impact areas: Access to knowledge and services for financial inclusion, Entrepreneurship development and formation of sustainable Self-Help Groups. With its iFundWomen grants programme, Visa has empowered women-owned businesses in India previously as well. Recent initiatives include upskilling women micro-entrepreneurs across the country after the pandemic and committing to help 50 million small and medium-sized businesses globally to get online and future-proof their businesses.