This report aims to create a theoretical framework to identify key stages in last-mile women entrepreneurs to formulate a growth path to develop latent subsistence entrepreneurs into transformative ones. It is organized into 7 sections. Section 1 contains an introduction into the
project, the rationale, and the scope and limitations of the project. Section 2 describes the methodology followed for developing the model. Section 3 delves into an in-depth analysis of the entrepreneur survey data organized based on the four characteristic areas – business operations, linkages and networks, finance, and personal empowerment. Section 4 highlights the challenges faced by the businesses in the different stages as well as the capacity building needs of entrepreneurs. Section 5 presents the Women’s Entrepreneurship Growth Path Model as well as a summary table of stage wise characteristics. Section 6 outlines how to use this model to monitor growth over a period
of time. And Finally, Section 7 provides recommendations for further research.

Author: Tanushri Majumdar
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for her Master’s degree at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs,
Syracuse University, USA.

A growth path model: An entrepreneurship growth pathway for women in last-mile communities

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