Walmart Vriddhi Partners With i2i To Empower 100,000 More Indian MSMEs In Next 3 Years

Walmart’s supplier development initiative, Walmart Vriddhi, has announced a strategic partnership with Ideas to Impact Foundation (i2i) to support an additional 100,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India over the next three years. The expanded collaboration aims to empower entrepreneurs by equipping them with critical skills, digital tools and access to both domestic and international markets.

Launched in 2019, Walmart Vriddhi has already trained more than 70,000 MSMEs, enabling them to build scalable, sustainable businesses through personalized mentorship, digital upskilling and strategic partnerships. Participants in the programme have experienced around 55% year-on-year growth, reflecting the strong impact of Walmart’s and Flipkart’s combined supply chain and e-commerce capabilities.

Through its renewed partnership with i2i, Walmart Vriddhi is enhancing its programme with expanded outreach, digital skilling tools, foot-on-ground support and customized mentorship. The free programme is designed to guide MSMEs through every stage of their digital transformation and business growth, covering areas such as finance, marketing, workforce management and environmental sustainability.

“Many micro enterprises face difficulties in securing the knowledge, tools and market access they need to thrive,” said Jason Fremstad, SVP Supplier Development, Walmart. “Empowering these entrepreneurs with business skills and access to markets has helped them scale sustainably and contribute to India’s economic growth. In this next phase, we’re equipping MSMEs with tools for digital growth, sustainability and export readiness.”

The programme also supports businesses aiming for cross-border trade through the Walmart Marketplace (Walmart.com), providing tools to integrate into broader supply chains—including Flipkart, Walmart, and other digital platforms. MSMEs can access learning resources through the Walmart Supplier Academy’s e-learning modules and get direct support for onboarding on platforms like Flipkart and Myntra.

“At Flipkart, we are committed to democratizing access to digital commerce for MSMEs,” said Rajneesh Kumar, SVP & Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart Group. “Through collaborations like Walmart Vriddhi, we are empowering entrepreneurs to scale their aspirations and participate meaningfully in India’s digital economy.”

To support broader outreach, Walmart Vriddhi is also partnering with state governments. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed with the Government of Haryana, and more state-level partnerships are in the pipeline. The initiative in India aligns with Walmart’s global efforts to develop inclusive supplier ecosystems, with similar programmes like Crece con Walmart in Mexico and Grow with US in the United States.

In addition, the Walmart Vriddhi website has been revamped as a one-stop resource hub, offering onboarding links, payment solutions and access to ecosystem initiatives across Flipkart, Myntra and Walmart. MSMEs looking to join the programme or sell on the U.S. Walmart Marketplace can register at WalmartVriddhi.org Or WalmartVriddhi.org/Marketplace

As India’s MSMEs continue to drive economic growth and innovation, Walmart Vriddhi is positioned to be a key catalyst for building resilient, future-ready businesses across the country.