The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated six years of the Startups, Women & Youth Advantage through eTransactions (SWAYATT) initiative at its headquarters in New Delhi on February 19, 2025. Since its launch on February 19, 2019, SWAYATT has aimed to increase the participation of women-led enterprises, startups, youth, and marginalized groups in public procurement. Rooted in GeM’s commitment to social inclusion, the initiative fosters ease of doing business, facilitates direct market linkages, and empowers small-scale entrepreneurs.
Key Highlights of SWAYATT’s 6-Year Journey
Empowering Entrepreneurs
- SWAYATT focuses on onboarding, training, and supporting last-mile sellers, especially women entrepreneurs, micro & small enterprises (MSEs), and self-help groups (SHGs).
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FICCI-FLO
- On the 6th anniversary, GeM signed an MoU with FICCI Ladies Organisation (FICCI-FLO), representing over 9,500 women entrepreneurs, to facilitate direct market access and boost local job creation.
Startup Growth
- From just 3,400 startups at launch, the platform now supports over 29,000 startups, who have received orders worth ₹35,950 Crore.
Women’s Participation in Public Procurement
- Women entrepreneurs now constitute 8% of GeM’s seller base, with 1,77,786 Udyam-verified women MSEs contributing to a cumulative order value of ₹46,615 Crore.
Dedicated Platforms
- SWAYATT includes specialized storefronts such as “Startup Runway” and “Womaniya”, enhancing visibility and business opportunities for startups and women-led enterprises.
Vision for Expansion
- GeM aims to onboard 1 Lakh DPIIT-registered startups, double the number of women entrepreneurs, and increase their share in national procurement beyond 3.78%.
Summary/Static | Details |
Why in the news? | SWAYATT Completes 6 Years of Digital Procurement Success |
Launch Date | February 19, 2019 |
Objective | Increase participation of startups, women-led businesses, and youth in public procurement |
GeM’s Social Inclusion Pillar | Facilitates ease of business and market linkages for MSEs, SHGs, and entrepreneurs |
MoU with FICCI-FLO | Provides direct access for 9,500+ women entrepreneurs to government buyers |
Startup Growth | Orders worth ₹35,950 Crore fulfilled by 29,000 startups |
Women-led MSEs on GeM | 1,77,786 Udyam-verified women MSEs, contributing ₹46,615 Crore in orders |
Dedicated Storefronts | “Startup Runway” & “Womaniya” for enhanced business visibility |
Future Goals | Onboard 1 Lakh DPIIT startups, double women entrepreneurs, increase procurement share from 3.78%
SWAYATT continues to be a game-changer in public procuremen |