As part of the company’s philanthropic Project ReWeave initiative, Redmond WA-based Microsoft plans to help artisans in India. Microsoft India has launched a new e-commerce platform called re-weave.in, designed especially for handloom weavers. The portal will be aimed at bridging the gap between artisans and buyers online, by connecting them and in the process helping them to expand to newer customers and markets.
In addition, Microsoft has also partnered up with state-owned National Institute of Fashion Technology to curate a special curriculum in ‘CAD and Color for Handloom Weaving’ to provide digital training in handloom design, as well as marketing, and training in entrepreneurship.
The company has launched many digital empowerment centers in the state of Telangana. Anil Bhansali, Microsoft India managing director (R&D) said that the introduction of e-commerce platforms and digital empowerment centers is aimed at helping weavers build on the rich handloom heritage of India and also reach out to a wider customer base.
India’s handloom industry is the second largest employment provider for the rural population after agriculture. According to the Handloom Export Promotion Council, a statutory body constituted under India’s Ministry of Textiles, over four million people are directly involved in this sector. In FY 2016-2017, the export of handloom products from India stood at over $350 million.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
