Background: I work in digital finance and SME ecosystems, advising fintechs and B2B platforms on scaling models, cross-border expansion, and marketplace economics.
India’s SME ecosystem is much closer to global-ready today than it was even 3–5 years ago — not because SMEs suddenly changed, but because digital B2B infrastructure finally matured.
Here’s what’s driving it:
1. Digital rails are now mainstream
UPI, GST-based data, e-invoicing, ONDC and embedded lending platforms created a transparent, interoperable foundation. This reduces friction for SMEs to sell, transact, and prove creditworthiness globally.
2. B2B marketplaces solved the trust + discovery problem
Platforms like Zetwerk, OfBusiness, and industry-specific B2B SaaS products enable:
• verified suppliers
• digital catalogs
• predictable fulfilment
• cross-border compliance support
For global buyers, this removes the “India risk” that used to block deals.
3. SMEs are shifting from offline export agents to direct digital pipelines
More SMEs now understand pricing, lead gen, and digital buyer expectations. That’s a fundamental readiness shift.
4. The remaining gaps
India is ready, but not universally:
• logistics reliability varies by region
• quality assurance must be standardized
• working-capital access is uneven
• many SMEs still need export compliance coaching
So the ecosystem is ready at scale, but individual SME readiness still depends on digital maturity and operational discipline.
If you want, I can walk you through how global-ready your specific target segment is — or how digital B2B platforms can position themselves to capture cross-border demand. Happy to explore it on a quick call.
What’s Driving Readiness
1. Digital Infrastructure Is Maturing
• Cloud Adoption: Around 50% of Indian SMEs now prioritize cloud for business expansion. 
• Digital Payments: A big chunk of SMEs are already using UPI for business. According to a recent MSME Digital Index, 73% of MSMEs report business growth via digital adoption, with UPI being a preferred mode of transaction. 
• Regulatory / Data Backbone: Digital rails like GST data, e‑invoicing, Udyam registration, etc., help in creating more transparent and interoperable SME data. Some analysts argue this is foundational for B2B marketplaces. 
2. Strong B2B Platform Ecosystem
• There are several B2B marketplaces (horizontal and vertical) that are helping SMEs with discovery, cataloguing, and cross-border exposure. According to commentary, platforms like Zetwerk and OfBusiness are helping SMEs access new markets. 
• These digital platforms are increasingly solving trust and fulfillment problems: verified suppliers, more reliable logistics, predictable order flows, and (in some cases) embedded finance or lending are coming in. 
• According to the Think with Google report, many MSMEs (domestic and export‑oriented) are already buying/selling online via platforms. 
