The Wealth Company has rolled out its flagship initiative MF DIDI in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, aiming to equip women from Tier II and Tier III towns with certification to become mutual fund distributors. The event was led by CA Madhu Lunawat, Founder of The Wealth Company and India’s first woman to set up an Asset Management Company, joined by prominent mutual fund distributors of Odisha.
Recent local data reflects increasing financial participation: in the last five years, the Assets Under Management (AUM) of women investors in Bhubaneswar have grown 2.5×, and the number of women investors has jumped about 2.8×. In Odisha overall, the growth in women-investor AUM has been about 2.2× in the same period. Meanwhile, Odisha’s total state-wise AAUM (total mutual funds AUM) stands at approximately ₹ 66,000 crore.
MF DIDI (Mutual Fund Distributor in Desi India) is a pioneering training program under which graduate women are trained under NISM V standards. Curriculum includes fundamentals of mutual funds, compounding, investor awareness, and ethical distribution practices.
Commenting on the development, Madhu Lunawat, Founder of The Wealth Company said, “Our goal is to onboard 1,000 certified MF DIDIs by FY26, with an aim to scale the network to 5,000 over the next three years, targeting areas with limited distributor presence and high potential.”
She added that “MF DIDI is about creating real opportunities for women to grow their wealth and independence. It’s about unlocking the strength of women to help drive India’s economy toward the $5 trillion milestone and ensuring they inclusively claim their dignified and rightful share in the country’s rising GDP.”
Local voices have already responded positively. An MF DIDI participant, Bedamati Mohapatra, said, “Through MF DIDI, The Wealth Company has set a new benchmark. By working to fill the ‘last-mile gap’ in distribution, they are creating a model that can transform financial inclusion in Odisha and beyond.”
Mr. Sudhansu Mohapatra, President of All Odisha Mutual Fund Distributor Association, added, “MF DIDI is a visionary initiative. This program will not only increase the reach of mutual funds in smaller towns but also provide women dignified economic opportunities. The Wealth Company deserves praise for taking this brave and socially-friendly step.”
One of the notable features is that when certified, MF DIDIs will have the freedom to distribute any mutual fund scheme, not just those of The Wealth Company enhancing their earning potential and deepening access to wealth-creation opportunities across Odisha and India.
