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.