Walmart Vriddhi, in collaboration with the Ideas to Impact Foundation and the Government of Haryana, hosted the MSME Connect 2025 event in Panipat to promote entrepreneurship and strengthen small business growth under the Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program. The initiative brought together government officials, industry experts, and entrepreneurs to discuss ways to boost MSME capabilities, expand export opportunities, and promote digital transformation within the state’s industrial hubs.
“The goal is to empower MSMEs with the knowledge, tools, and access they need to scale sustainably,” said Jason Fremstad, Senior Vice President of Supplier Development at Walmart.
Expanding Reach Across Key MSME Hubs
The Walmart Vriddhi program, launched in 2019, focuses on training MSMEs in digital adoption, financial management, marketing, logistics, and global market readiness. It is now expanding across Haryana’s key business centers, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Hisar, and Rohtak, to strengthen supply chains and drive inclusive economic growth.
The initiative also builds on Walmart’s formal MoU with the Government of Haryana, aligning with ongoing efforts like the PADMA scheme that enhance competitiveness and modernize industrial infrastructure.
Bridging Global Expertise with Local Potential
Walmart Vriddhi combines Walmart’s global retail experience with Flipkart’s e-commerce ecosystem to create a powerful platform for MSMEs. Through free training and mentorship, the program helps entrepreneurs adopt modern operational practices and expand into national and international markets.
Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of the Flipkart Group, said, “By combining Flipkart’s reach with Walmart Vriddhi’s training, we’re creating new pathways for local MSMEs to compete on a global scale.”
Strengthening MSME Competitiveness and Employment
So far, Walmart Vriddhi has supported over 70,000 MSMEs across India and aims to empower 1 lakh entrepreneurs by 2028. Dheeraj Chahal, Joint Director (MSME), Government of Haryana, said such collaborations “complement the state’s commitment to enterprise development by enabling digitalisation, skill enhancement, and sustainable growth.”
The partnership underscores the growing importance of public-private collaboration in driving innovation and resilience among India’s small businesses. “MSMEs are at the heart of India’s economic story,” said Fremstad. “Our goal is to ensure they not only survive but thrive in the digital economy.”