E-commerce marketplace Meesho has partnered with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and digital-first businesses transition into publicly listed companies through a new initiative called Project Shikhar.
The partnership has been formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and aims to support high-performing independent sellers on Meesho in listing on the BSE’s SME platform, providing them with access to growth capital and broader market opportunities.
Project Shikhar is designed to create a structured pathway for e-commerce entrepreneurs to prepare for public listings by strengthening governance, compliance and financial readiness.
Sundararaman Ramamurthy, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BSE, stated that the exchange launched its SME platform to provide dynamic and employment-generating businesses with direct access to capital markets. He noted that the platform has enabled hundreds of MSMEs to raise growth capital and improve operating standards over the years.
Ramamurthy added that the partnership with Meesho extends these opportunities to digital-first entrepreneurs, allowing successful e-commerce sellers to evolve into publicly listed companies.
A significant portion of India’s retail sector continues to operate within the informal or unorganised economy, often facing challenges in accessing traditional sources of expansion capital. Meesho said Project Shikhar seeks to bridge this gap by offering a phased route towards public market participation.
Lopamudra Rao, Head of Corporate Affairs at Meesho, stated that a large share of the company’s seller ecosystem comprises entrepreneurial businesses that have achieved rapid growth through e-commerce. However, she noted that the process of becoming investment-ready and meeting listing requirements remains complex for many enterprises.
Rao said the initiative aims to simplify this transition by helping sellers access public capital while also creating a pipeline of transparent and compliant businesses that can contribute to the formalisation and growth of India’s economy.
The collaboration reflects a broader effort to expand capital market access for emerging digital businesses and strengthen the role of MSMEs in India’s economic development.
