Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women India is a fully funded business and management education program for established women entrepreneurs who want to scale their businesses. In India, the program is delivered with leading management institutions including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Lucknow. Tuition is covered by Goldman Sachs, while travel, lodging and related expenses are not included.
The program is designed for women who already operate a business and meet specific eligibility criteria. It is not intended as a startup idea competition or an entry-level entrepreneurship course.
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women India at a Glance
| Feature | Programme details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women |
| Delivery partners in India | IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Lucknow |
| Tuition | Fully covered by Goldman Sachs |
| Other costs | Travel, lodging and related expenses are not included |
| Format | Three in-person residential modules plus structured learning and mentorship |
| Learning time | More than 100 hours of learning |
| Target participant | Established women entrepreneurs who are primary business decision-makers |
| Application status | Check the official application page for the current cohort window |
What Is Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women?
10,000 Women is a global Goldman Sachs initiative focused on business education, mentoring, networking and access to capital for women entrepreneurs. Goldman Sachs states that the initiative has reached hundreds of thousands of women globally and has supported thousands of women-led businesses in India.
In India, the in-person programme is positioned as an intensive growth programme for entrepreneurs who already have operating businesses and want stronger strategic, financial and operational capabilities.
Who Is Eligible for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women India?
According to the current official programme guidance, applicants should generally meet all of the following conditions:
- Be the primary decision-maker in the business.
- Be the owner or co-owner of the venture.
- Operate a business with annual turnover above ₹30 lakh.
- Have a business that has been operational for at least one year.
- Have at least three employees.
- Not be a previous graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme.
The programme is aimed at established, growth-oriented businesses. The official brochure also indicates that it is not intended for early-stage ventures or sole proprietors.
Is the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Programme Fully Funded?
Yes, the tuition is fully funded by Goldman Sachs. This is one of the programme’s biggest advantages because participants receive access to management education from leading IIM faculty without paying programme tuition.
However, fully funded does not mean every expense is covered. Goldman Sachs explicitly states that travel, accommodation/lodging and related costs are not included. Applicants should budget for those costs before accepting a place.
Which IIMs Deliver the Programme?
The current India programme is delivered in partnership with:
- Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
- Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, including Delhi and Lucknow campuses
Successful applicants may be allocated to an institution based on factors such as availability, cohort fit, timing and individual preference.
What Do Participants Learn?
The programme is designed around practical business growth. The official curriculum includes areas such as financial management, marketing, negotiation, leadership, innovation, operations and business-growth planning.
Goldman Sachs describes the programme as more than 100 hours of learning, including three in-person residential teaching weeks. The curriculum is built to help entrepreneurs analyze business opportunities, create a growth plan and apply the strategy directly to their ventures.
Key learning areas
- Entrepreneurial leadership
- Growth strategy
- Business growth planning
- Innovation
- Strategic marketing
- Strategic financial management
- Operational improvement
- Building high-performing teams
How Does the Application Process Work?
The current official brochure describes a four-stage process:
- Submit an expression of interest. This is the initial online step.
- Complete the full application. Eligible candidates are invited to provide more detail about their business and growth plans.
- Attend an online interview. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed.
- Receive onboarding details. Selected participants receive programme and cohort information.
Application windows are cohort-specific and can change. Because the previous published cohort deadlines have already passed, applicants should rely on the official application page for the next available intake rather than older social posts or third-party deadline pages.
What Should You Prepare Before Applying?
A strong application should make it easy for reviewers to understand your business, current scale and growth ambition. Before starting, prepare:
- basic company details and ownership structure
- annual turnover figures
- employee count
- how long the business has been operating
- your role as a decision-maker
- the main growth challenge you want to solve
- clear examples of business traction
- your growth objectives for the next stage
Applicants should use accurate business figures and avoid exaggerating revenue, employee numbers or scale. The programme is specifically built for operating businesses, so evidence of real activity matters.
Is There an Online Version?
Yes. Goldman Sachs also offers a free online 10,000 Women curriculum through Coursera for entrepreneurs who cannot attend the in-person India programme. The online option is separate from the selective India cohort and can be useful for founders who want flexible access to business education.
For other structured learning options, browse Coursecentrals’ Courses section and Certifications section.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is most relevant for a woman entrepreneur who already has a functioning team, meaningful turnover and a clear desire to scale. It is especially useful if the next challenge is not starting the business, but improving strategy, finance, operations, leadership or growth execution.
It may not be the right fit for someone who is still at idea stage, has no employees, has not yet reached the turnover requirement or is looking mainly for startup funding without the education component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women India free?
The programme tuition is fully covered by Goldman Sachs. Participants are responsible for travel, lodging and related expenses.
What is the minimum turnover required?
The current official eligibility criteria state annual turnover of more than ₹30 lakh.
Do I need employees?
Yes. The current eligibility guidance requires a minimum of three employees.
Can a sole proprietor apply?
The current programme brochure says the programme is not intended for sole proprietors. Applicants should verify the latest wording on the official application page before applying.
Can previous 10,000 Women graduates apply again?
No. Previous graduates are not eligible for the India programme.
Is this a scholarship?
It is better described as a fully funded business-education programme rather than a conventional university scholarship. Goldman Sachs covers tuition, but it does not cover all participant expenses.
Where is the programme delivered?
The India programme is delivered with IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Lucknow, including its Delhi and Lucknow campuses.
Coursecentrals Recommendation
If you meet the eligibility criteria, this is a high-value opportunity because the tuition is covered and the programme combines formal management education, mentorship and a peer network of established women entrepreneurs. The key is to apply only when your business clearly meets the operating, turnover and team requirements.
Because application windows are cohort-specific, bookmark the official page and verify the next intake before preparing travel or timing around the programme.
Official Sources
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women India application page
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women in India
- IIM Ahmedabad 10,000 Women programme page