M/o MSME introduces Rs 277 Crore TEAM initiative to help 5 lakh businesses join ONDC Network
The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), in partnership with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), has announced the launch of the MSME Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) Initiative. With a budget of Rs 277.35 crore over three years, the initiative aims to onboard 5 lakh Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), with 50% of these being women-led businesses — to embrace digital commerce and expand their market presence.
The TEAM Initiative will connect MSMEs with the ONDC Network, creating opportunities for small businesses to participate in a fair and inclusive digital ecosystem. By providing access to digital storefronts, integrated payment systems, and logistics support, the initiative reduces operational barriers and helps businesses tap into wider customer bases. Beyond these tools, it emphasizes formalizing operations and establishing digital transaction histories, which will enhance the credibility and trust of participating MSMEs.
A critical component of the initiative is its focus on education and awareness. Over 150 workshops will be held across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, targeting key MSME clusters, with special attention to women and SC/ST-led enterprises. These workshops will guide businesses through the process of joining the ONDC Network, creating compliant digital catalogues, and using the ecosystem to its full potential. MSMEs will be able to register for these workshops and access additional resources, such as financing options and grievance support, through a dedicated portal.
To ease the transition to digital commerce, financial assistance will be provided to Seller Network Participants to facilitate catalogue creation, operations and account management, thereby ensuring that SMEs have the help they need to successfully navigate and grow in the digital commerce space.
This is also an opportunity for startups and technology enablers in India to leverage the ONDC Network to create unique value propositions for India’s vast MSME ecosystem.
The initiative also aligns with India’s broader vision of driving digital transformation and improving the competitiveness of MSMEs. By working in tandem with existing government programs like PM Vishwakarma and the Digital MSME scheme, the TEAM Initiative offers a cohesive and comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of small businesses in today’s rapidly evolving economy.
Speaking about the initiative, T. Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC, said, “The MSME TEAM Initiative is more than just a program — it’s an opportunity to empower small businesses with the tools and resources they need to thrive in the digital age. By connecting SMEs to the ONDC Network, we are creating a level playing field that enables them to scale, compete, and succeed. Most importantly, this is now the right time for Indian startups to leverage ONDC to tap into the immense potential of India’s MSME ecosystem.”
The Ministry of MSME and the National Small Industries Corporation (implementing agency), are committed to ensuring the smooth rollout of the program. MSMEs are encouraged to register on the dedicated portal to participate in the workshops and avail themselves of the benefits under this initiative. Link here
ONDC is a Network of 200+ apps, including buyer apps and seller apps. Shoppers can choose from one of the buyer apps to buy their desired products based on the categories of products those apps have enabled. Sellers can choose from one of the seller apps listed on the Network. Any buyer on any buyer app can buy from any seller on any seller app. Know more: https://ondc.org/ondc-buyer-apps/
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