World MSME Day – Exclusive Interview
Hello Mumbai City Desk
On the occasion of World MSME Day 2026, Hello Mumbai News Editor-in-Chief Aleem Shaikh had the opportunity to hold an exclusive conversation with Divya Chandrasekaran, Founder and Managing Counsel of Ipact Legal.In this insightful interview, she shares her expert perspective on the legal challenges and opportunities facing India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the importance of regulatory compliance, women-led entrepreneurship, and how strong legal foundations can help businesses achieve sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive market. Her views offer valuable guidance for entrepreneurs, startups, and business leaders striving to build resilient and future-ready enterprises.
Hello Mumbai News
What inspired you to become a solo entrepreneur, and how did your entrepreneurial journey begin?
Divya Chandrasekaran
For me, entrepreneurship was never just about starting a law firm… it was about building one differently.
After spending over a decade in the legal profession, I saw two recurring gaps. On one hand, many startups and MSMEs hesitated to seek legal advice because they believed it was expensive, intimidating or only necessary when something went wrong. On the other, I felt the legal profession itself needed a more progressive work culture that valued collaboration, learning, flexibility and work-life balance.
That inspired me to establish iPact Legal with a vision of making quality legal services practical, accessible and business-focused, while also creating a workplace where legal professionals could grow without sacrificing their personal well-being. I have always believed that law should enable businesses to grow, not become a barrier to growth, and that philosophy continues to shape everything we do.
Hello Mumbai News
As a solo founder, what have been your biggest challenges in building and scaling your business without a co-founder or large team?
Divya Chandrasekaran
The biggest challenge has been balancing multiple roles while ensuring that quality is never compromised. As a founder, you are constantly switching between strategy, client relationships, operations and leadership. Over time, I realised that sustainable growth is less about doing everything yourself and more about building systems, trusting your team and staying focused on long-term value rather than short-term gains.
Hello Mumbai News
How have MSME initiatives and government policies contributed to your startup’s growth? Are there any areas where additional support is needed?
Divya Chandrasekaran
India has made significant progress in creating a vibrant startup ecosystem through various MSME and entrepreneurship initiatives. While these have certainly encouraged innovation, I believe there is still a need for greater awareness around legal preparedness, governance and risk management. Many founders are willing to comply but often do not know where to begin. Making quality professional guidance more accessible can strengthen businesses from their earliest stages.
Hello Mumbai News
In today’s competitive market, what strategies have helped you build a sustainable and profitable business?
Divya Chandrasekaran
I believe sustainable businesses are built on trust, consistency and relationships. Instead of focusing on transactions, I have always focused on understanding the client’s business and commercial objectives. One lesson I have learnt is that legal advice creates the greatest value when it enables business rather than simply identifying risks. When clients see you as a strategic partner, growth follows naturally.
Hello Mumbai News
Technology and artificial intelligence are transforming businesses. How are you leveraging digital tools to enhance productivity and customer engagement?
Divya Chandrasekaran
Technology has fundamentally changed the way professionals work, and the legal industry is no exception. We actively use digital tools and AI to improve research, streamline workflows and enhance efficiency. However, technology is most powerful when it complements professional judgment rather than replaces it. Clients continue to value practical advice, commercial understanding and thoughtful decision-making, qualities that technology can support but not substitute.
Hello Mumbai News
Access to funding remains a major challenge for many startups. What has your experience been in raising capital or bootstrapping your venture?
Divya Chandrasekaran
My entrepreneurial journey has largely been built through bootstrapping. It taught me the importance of disciplined growth, careful decision-making and creating long-term value before chasing rapid expansion. While funding can certainly accelerate growth, I believe strong fundamentals, financial discipline and client trust remain the foundation of every successful business.
Hello Mumbai News
What advice would you give to aspiring solo entrepreneurs who want to launch their own startups but are hesitant to take the first step?
Divya Chandrasekaran
Don’t wait for perfect conditions because they rarely exist. Start with a clear purpose, keep learning and remain adaptable. Surround yourself with mentors, seek honest feedback and remember that entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Most importantly, don’t underestimate the importance of putting the right legal and business foundations in place from day one… they often determine how confidently a business can scale.
Hello Mumbai News
How do you maintain a balance between entrepreneurship, personal well-being, and continuous learning while managing everything independently?
Divya Chandrasekaran
Entrepreneurship demands resilience, and resilience comes from taking care of yourself. I consciously make time for fitness, swimming, reading and continuous learning because they help me think clearly and stay energised. I also believe that spending time with family and stepping away from work occasionally makes me a better professional and a better leader.
Hello Mumbai News
What are your future growth plans, and how do you envision your startup contributing to India’s vision of becoming a global innovation and startup hub?
Divya Chandrasekaran
The vision is to continue building iPact Legal as a trusted legal and strategic partner for startups, MSMEs and growing businesses, while making legal knowledge more accessible and practical for entrepreneurs. India has an incredible opportunity to become a global innovation hub, and strong legal frameworks, responsible governance and informed decision-making will play an important role in supporting that growth.
Hello Mumbai News
On the occasion of World MSME Day, what message would you like to share with young entrepreneurs, startup founders and policymakers about strengthening India’s MSME ecosystem?
Divya Chandrasekaran
MSMEs are not just contributors to the economy… they are creators of employment, innovation and opportunity. My message to entrepreneurs is to view governance, contracts and compliance not as obstacles but as strategic assets that build credibility and attract growth opportunities. To policymakers, I would encourage continued efforts towards simplifying regulations and improving access to professional guidance. When entrepreneurs are empowered with the right ecosystem, they don’t just build successful businesses—they contribute meaningfully to India’s growth story.
