The state of Tamil Nadu’s standing as a favorable environment for entrepreneurial development is not uniformly reflected across the state. While urban areas and, to a lesser extent, semi-urban regions demonstrate dynamic entrepreneurial growth, rural areas continue to face significant challenges in fostering the right ecosystems for entrepreneurship. This study tries to investigate critical challenges faced by rural entrepreneurs, particularly those of women entrepreneurs, including infrastructural deficiencies, limited access to funding and the problem of digital exclusion. Female entrepreneurs, especially in the textile and agricultural sectors, face persistent socio-cultural and financial constraints. Government initiatives, such as the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Program (SVEP) and Women Entrepreneurship Program (WEP), have begun to alleviate these challenges. However, these programs remain in early stages and have limited outreach, particularly in remote and rural areas, restricting their overall impact and efficacy.

This study appraises the effectiveness of entrepreneurship programs in Southern India, the state of Tamil Nadu and attempts to identify the barriers hampering their widespread adoption. The study uses both quantitative and qualitative methods, employs regression analysis, chi-square test, and analysis of variance. The study underscores the crucial role of digital empowerment and public-private partnership in addressing identified gaps. Based on these research findings and insights, clear policy recommendations are proposed to foster a supportive and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for women. Finally, this study aims to support ongoing efforts to democratize entrepreneurship by systematically identifying barriers and optimizing the usage of available resources.