This article has been contributed by Ms. Somdutta Singh, First-Generation Serial Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO Assiduus, Angel Investor and Philanthropist.
Michelle Obama once said, “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.”
Women entrepreneurs are not mere participants in the business world; they are transformative leaders, reshaping industries and driving economic growth across the globe.
We’re navigating an era where innovation and diversity are paramount, and I cannot overstate the importance of women-led enterprises.
Do you know, according to a report by McKinsey, advancing gender equality in the workforce could contribute an astounding $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025? Yet, despite our potential, women entrepreneurs continue to face significant barriers, particularly in securing angel investment.
In this article, I will share insights and strategies that can empower women entrepreneurs to navigate the complexities of securing angel investment, because I have witnessed them myself and have overcome those challenges.
What Does the Landscape of Women Entrepreneurship Look Like?
Globally, women-owned businesses are on the rise, yet they still face significant barriers. According to a report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), women entrepreneurs receive only 7% of total venture capital funding. In India, the situation is somewhat better but still challenging; a study by the Indian Angel Network found that only 14% of angel investors are women, highlighting a gender gap in both entrepreneurship and investment.
Despite these challenges, the potential for women-led businesses is immense. A McKinsey report estimates that achieving gender equality in labor force participation could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. In India, women entrepreneurs could contribute an additional $700 billion to the economy by 2025, according to a report by the Boston Consulting Group.
How Can You Build a Compelling Business Case?
Investors are looking for innovative ideas, strong market potential, and a clear path to profitability. Here are key components to include:
Solid Business Plan: A well-structured business plan should outline your vision, market analysis, revenue model, and growth strategy. Investors need to see that you have a clear understanding of your market and how you plan to capture it.
Unique Value Proposition: Clearly articulate what sets your business apart from competitors. This could be a unique product, a novel service, or a disruptive business model.
Strong Financial Projections: Present realistic financial projections that demonstrate your business’s potential for growth. Include key metrics such as customer acquisition cost, lifetime value, and break-even analysis.
Traction and Milestones: Highlight any traction your business has achieved, such as sales figures, user growth, or partnerships. Demonstrating progress can build investor confidence.
Networking is vital, not just for women entrepreneurs in India, but every entrepreneur based in every corner of the world, looking to secure angel investment. It can feel both exciting and daunting, but here are certain strategies that can help you build connections and find the support you need:
Join Entrepreneurial Networks
Think of networking as building your own community. Joining organizations that support women entrepreneurs can be a game-changer. There are several initiatives that help women step into the world of entrepreneurship. By joining, you can connect with other women who share similar goals and gain access to resources that can help you navigate the investment landscape. These initiatives also offer workshops, mentorship programs, and networking events that can help you connect with other entrepreneurs and potential investors who understand your journey.
Attend Pitch Events
Pitching your idea can be nerve-wracking, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to gain visibility. Look for events that celebrate women entrepreneurs. Gatherings like NASSCOM’s startup events or the various women’s startup summits are not just about pitching; they’re about connecting with like-minded individuals. You’ll meet investors who are eager to support innovative ideas, and you might even find a mentor in the crowd. They’re supportive environments where you can learn from others and gain confidence in your presentation skills.
Leverage Social Media
Social media can be your best friend when it comes to networking. Platforms like LinkedIn are perfect for sharing your journey. Post updates about your entrepreneurial journey, share insights, and celebrate your achievements. This not only builds your personal brand but also attracts the attention of potential investors who resonate with your story.
Seek Mentorship
Finding a mentor can feel like having a secret weapon in your entrepreneurial arsenal. Look for someone who has successfully navigated the investment landscape. Mentors will understand the challenges you face and can offer practical advice. With their extensive experience in funding startups, they can provide insights that are invaluable as you refine your pitch and strategy. Most importantly, they’re passionate about supporting women-led ventures and can guide you through the intricacies of securing investment.
Women entrepreneurs often encounter gender bias, which can hinder their ability to secure investment. It’s essential to address this head-on:
Confidence and Assertiveness: Cultivating confidence in your abilities and being assertive in negotiations can help counteract bias. Practice your pitch repeatedly to build confidence.
Focus on Results: When discussing your business, emphasize your achievements and the results you have delivered. Data-driven discussions can help shift the focus from gender to capability.
Create Supportive Networks: Surround yourself with other women entrepreneurs and allies who can provide support and encouragement. Building a community can help mitigate feelings of isolation and self-doubt.
Key Takeaways:
Prepare Thoroughly: A well-prepared pitch can make a significant difference. Understand your business, market, and financials inside and out.
Build Relationships: Networking is essential. Cultivate relationships with investors, mentors, and peers in the industry.
Stay Resilient: The path to securing investment can be challenging. Stay focused on your goals and don’t be discouraged by setbacks.
Leverage Your Unique Perspective: Women entrepreneurs often bring unique insights and perspectives to their businesses. Use this to your advantage when pitching to investors.
Advocate for Change: As women entrepreneurs succeed, they pave the way for others. Advocate for policies and practices that support female entrepreneurship and investment.
Concluding Thoughts
Attracting and securing angel investment is a critical step for women entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. By presenting a compelling business case, building strong networks, and overcoming gender bias, women can position themselves for success in the entrepreneurial landscape. As we continue to push for greater representation and support for women in business, the potential for economic growth and innovation remains vast. Together, we can create a more equitable future for all entrepreneurs.
In May 2021, Forbes stated that Kylie Jenner is no longer a self-made billionaire. Forbes claims that Kylie inflated the sales figures of Kylie Cosmetics, accusing her team of forging tax returns to boost her net worth and thus revoking her billionaire status. Kylie Jenner sold her company 51% to Coty in a deal valued at $1.2 billion. Her income after-tax estimation was $340 million. After analyzing, Forbes reported that Kylie Jenner is “not a billionaire“.
Forbes previously released the annual World’s Billionaires list and Kylie was the world’s youngest self-made billionaire in 2020, just before CVID-19. Yes, the youngest self-made billionaire, she didn’t inherit her business; she built it herself. Kylie was a billionaire with a net worth of $1 billion. Yet, the Kardashian-Jenner sister’s ‘self-made’ status has attracted a degree of controversy, considering the wealthy, reality TV famed background from which she descends.
Kylie Jenner – Biography
Name
Kylie Jenner
Born
August 10, 1997
Age
Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality
American
Education
Laurel Springs School (2012–2015), Sierra Canyon School (2012)
Kylie Kristen Jenner was born on August 10, 1997, in Los Angeles, California to parents Kris and former Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner. Kylie has an elder sister, Kendall Jenner. Kylie has three half-sisters – Kourtney, Khloé, and Kim Kardashian and half-brothers – Brandon, Brody Jenner and Robert Kardashian. Kylie has been in the news since childhood, thanks to the paparazzi being crazy for her family.
Kylie grew up in the spotlight among her famous siblings in the reality series, Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Jenner attended the private Sierra Canyon School and earned her high school diploma from Lauren Springs High School in California. Additionally, she’s amassed a mega social media following and in 2015 was named one of Time magazine’s Most Influential Teens.
Kylie Jenner – Career
The Kardashians are one of the most widely followed families today when it comes to entertainment. Every member of the Kardashian clan is wildly popular for their controversial and non-controversial antics. For a long time, Kim Kardashian stole the limelight.
Kim was at the fore of her celeb family when it came to coverage in tabloids and magazines. However, the last two or three years have seen another Kardashian member take Kim’s place—Kylie Jenner. She’s harnessed her family’s fame to launch her business ventures including a successful cosmetics line.
Kylie Jenner started her on-screen career in 2007, appearing as a main cast in the family’s popular reality television series ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians‘. She has also appeared in many of the spin-off shows focused on her sisters, Kourtney and Khloé. In 2011, she, following Kendall, earned a huge sum of money endorsing two nail lacquers from the Nicole by OPI brand, named “Rainbow in the S-kylie” and “Wear Something Spar-Kylie“. Kylie and Kendall launched ‘The Kendall & Kylie Collection’ with PacSun in February 2013.
Taking advantage of such a massive following and appreciable looks, Kylie launched the ‘Metal Haven by Kendall & Kylie’ clothing & jewelry line with her sister in June 2013 followed by a collaboration with Steve Madden for shoes and handbag collection. The reception was overwhelming. The succeeding fame got her in music videos.
The collective result was a soaring presence on all major social media platforms, particularly Instagram and Snapchat. Top celebrities admired her, she hosted shows and appeared on several media channels all of which added to her growth. This combined with exposure and famous background allowed her to cash in and become a hit with commercial audiences.
In 2015, Kylie individually launched her hair extension line, ‘Kylie Hair Kouture‘ with Bellami Hair. She became the second ambassador ever for the skincare line ‘Nip + Fab’ in March 2015. She became the face of PUMA in the fall of 2016. She again teamed up with her sister Kendall to launch their clothing line ‘Kendall & Kylie’ with Topshop, a British fashion retailer in June 2015. She launched her website and a paid lifestyle app in September 2015, along with her lipstick line ‘Kylie Lip Kit’.
Kylie Lip Kit
It was taken to the next level when she started her full-fledged cosmetic line – Kylie Cosmetics. In 2018, she invested $250,000 of her own money from modeling gigs in 2015 for the first batch of 15,000 lipsticks.
Kylie Jenner stated, “I said, ‘I’m ready to put up my own money. I don’t want to do it with anyone else.”
The product sold out in seconds with her media presence being a pivotal factor. The millions of fans who revered Kylie through social media were an easy target audience.
Kris Jenner, her mom, supported Kylie in this initiative by pitching in with the appropriate strategies and tactics. The mom-daughter duo sold 500,000 kits in no time. There was no looking back and sales blew through the roof. She further included many beauty products in her brand. Jenner’s business was immediately promising.
She further cemented her spot in November when she agreed to sell 51% of her Kylie Cosmetics to beauty giant Coty Inc., an American multinational beauty company, for $600 million. The deal, which closed in January 2019, valued her business at about $1.2 billion. Cash from the sale and her remaining 49% share of the company make Jenner one of just 2,095 people in the world with a ten-digit fortune.
In March 2019, Jenner was highlighted by Forbes as the youngest-ever self-made billionaire as part of its annual ranking of the planet’s richest people. With her net worth up to $1 billion, the then-21-year-old became the youngest member of the billionaires’ club and the youngest-ever self-made billionaire. She surpassed the benchmark once set by 23-year-old Mark Zuckerberg.
Showing no signs of slowing down, she went on to launch her Kylie Skin skincare line in May 2019.
Kylie Jenner launched Kylie Skin in May 2019
In April 2020, the makeup mogul, Kylie Jenner made into Forbes’ 2020 World’s Youngest Billionaires list for the second year in a row. With her billion-strong wealth, Jenner became ‘one of just 2,095 people in the world with a ten-digit fortune’.
After analyzing filings of the deal with beauty giant Coty Inc., it was revealed that Kylie Jenner inflated the sales values to boost her valuation. Later Forbes removed her from the list and stated that Kylie Jenner was no more a billionaire.
Kylie Jenner – Philanthropic Work
Kylie Jenner has come forward to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Kylie has donated $1 million to buy protective equipment including face shields and masks for the first responders. In mid-March, after being requested by the surgeon general of the United States to do so, she issued an Instagram plea to follow social distancing instructions. She asked her approximately then 169 million followers on Instagram to just stay home for the sake of safety.
Not only this, Kylie Jenner and her mom, Kris Jenner, announced that they would make a mass hand sanitizer donation to hospitals in southern California. At the same time, their custom product, a joint effort with Coty Inc., will be “dedicated to first responders working to support our communities” during the coronavirus pandemic. Coty, a major stakeholder in Kylie Skin and Kylie Cosmetics, will be making Kylie’s hand sanitizer in its factories as many medical professionals currently facing severe shortages.
Apart from this, Kylie Jenner has been involved with several charities over the years. In 2013, she and her sisters raised money for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles by auctioning old clothes on eBay.
It’s the power of social media. I had such a strong reach before I was able to start anything.
Conclusion
While she was the youngest, there were nine other billionaires under the age of 30, including Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel, 29, with a net worth of $1.9 billion, and digital payment app Stripe co-founder John Collison, 29, with a net worth of $3.2 billion at that time. Yet, this social media star cum entrepreneur, Kylie has carved a special place for herself in the digital segment. She is the epitome of social platform influencers and has become an inspiration for many millennials. Above all, she was the youngest billionaire ever!
FAQs
What is the net worth of Kylie Jenner?
The net worth of Kylie Jenner is $$710 million as of May 2024.
Is Kylie Jenner a billionaire?
Kylie Jenner was declared a billionaire by Forbes in March 2019, largely due to the success of her cosmetics company, Kylie Cosmetics. However, in 2020, Forbes revised this assessment, stating that she was not, in fact, a billionaire.
How did Kylie Jenner become a billionaire?
Kylie Jenner became a billionaire through her cosmetics company, Kylie Cosmetics, utilizing her massive social media following, and selling a 51% stake to Coty Inc. for $600 million, valuing the company at $1.2 billion.
This article has been contributed by Ms. Shaily Mehrotra, Co-founder, Fixderma.
In today’s skincare market, where new products seem to come out every day, women entrepreneurs face both opportunities and challenges. Creating skincare products and building a brand that stands out while ensuring compliance with regulations can be a daunting task. However, with the right strategies, female entrepreneurs can ensure success and sustainability in this competitive industry.
The skincare industry is vast, catering to a wide range of needs and preferences. From moisturizers to serums to cleansers, there’s no shortage of products available to consumers. As a woman entrepreneur entering this space, it’s important to understand your target audience and their specific skincare concerns. Conducting market research can help identify gaps in the market and opportunities for innovation.
To truly differentiate their skincare products and brands, women entrepreneurs can implement the below-mentioned strategies:
Creating skincare products with unique formulations can be a game-changer. Whether it’s through innovative ingredients, advanced technology, or novel delivery systems, offering something that others don’t have can pique the interest of consumers. People like trying things that are different and effective. For example, using rare plants that are good for the skin or using the newest research to make your own special mixtures can make your brand different from others in the market and attract loyal customers who want something special for their skin.
Targeted Solutions
Knowing what different people need for their skin and customizing products to help with those exact needs can really help. How? By making products that focus on a certain group or solve specific skin issues, like acne, wrinkles, or sensitive skin. By positioning their brands as experts in addressing these issues, they can attract a dedicated customer base seeking targeted solutions. This approach not only meets customer needs more effectively but also builds trust and loyalty, setting the stage for long-term success in the skincare market.
Creating a strong brand story that aligns with value and resonates with consumers can forge a deep connection and loyalty. Women entrepreneurs can use their personal narratives, experiences, or missions to create authentic and relatable brand identities. This authenticity helps differentiate their brands in the marketplace and encourages consumer loyalty.
Focus on Customer Experience
Entrepreneurs should prioritize the customer experience at every touchpoint, from browsing your website to using your products and beyond. Engage with your customers, listen to their feedback, and go above and beyond to exceed their expectations. When customers have a good experience, they’re more likely to stick with your brand and tell others about it. And in today’s world where everything is online, good word-of-mouth from happy customers is really valuable. So, paying attention to your customers and making sure they’re happy can go a long way in helping your business grow.
Skincare products are subject to strict regulations to ensure consumer safety. One of the fundamental aspects of regulatory compliance revolves around ingredient safety and transparency.
Ingredient Safety
Before bringing a skincare product to market, entrepreneurs must carefully evaluate each ingredient’s safety profile and ensure compliance with ingredient labeling requirements. This includes providing accurate ingredient lists on product packaging, avoiding prohibited substances, and adhering to concentration limits for certain ingredients to prevent adverse reactions and protect consumer health.
Manufacturing Practices
Entrepreneurs must establish and adhere to stringent quality control measures to ensure the safety and purity of their skincare formulations. This involves implementing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), maintaining clean and sanitized production facilities, and conducting rigorous testing to detect and mitigate potential contaminants or impurities.
Labeling and Marketing
Product labels must accurately convey information such as ingredient lists, usage instructions, and warnings to enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. Moreover, entrepreneurs must refrain from making misleading claims or exaggerating the efficacy of their products, as regulatory agencies closely monitor and enforce advertising standards to prevent deceptive marketing practices.
In the end, succeeding in the competitive skincare market requires a combination of creativity, quality, authenticity, and agility. Creating unique products, ensuring they work well, and being genuine in your brand are all crucial. Plus, being able to change and adjust to what customers want is key to staying ahead.
This article has been contributed by Meghna Krishna, Group Chief Revenue Officer, VideoVerse.
As someone who has never favoured the traditional division between genders, I recognize the challenges of navigating a predominantly male-driven professional environment. Through observation, I’ve noted how inherent differences between men and women often shape strategic approaches. Women, often perceived as naturally nurturing, empathetic, and emotional, leverage these traits to grasp diverse perspectives and foster adaptability, essential elements in crafting successful strategies.
Cultivating Success through Cultural Understanding
Having worked across three continents, I firmly attest to the consequential role that cultural understanding plays in formulating successful business strategies. In the global business environment, women strategists, like their counterparts, must grasp the nuances of diverse cultures to build meaningful connections and foster collaboration.
Effective communication and relationship-building require an understanding of diverse cultures. This understanding is key to connecting with diverse audiences. Ana Patricia Botín’s distinct leadership approach at Santander, marked by caution, hardball tactics, international focus, and commitment to diversity, exemplifies a forward-thinking strategy. Initiatives like Alastria, a blockchain-based platform, showcase her innovative and inclusive leadership style.
Adaptability as a Cornerstone of Strategic Agility
Given the ever-changing nature of the business landscape, women entrepreneurs must possess adaptability as a fundamental quality. Inflexible strategies struggle with unforeseen challenges. Embracing flexibility in strategic planning allows women entrepreneurs to pivot when necessary and seize emerging opportunities. Strategic agility in business requires staying agile, open to change, and adjusting approaches based on strengthening circumstances. Divya Gokulnath used her teaching background to create a $22 billion enterprise with BYJU’S. Despite recent challenges, she achieved Forbes Asia’s 25 Most Powerful Women 2020, a LinkedIn Top Voice in Education in India, and led initiatives to address the gender pay gap.
Strategies that Stand the Test of Cultural Diversity
“I want my daughters to grow up in a world where they can dream of being whoever they want to be—and you can’t dream of what you can’t see.” Cristina Junqueira is clear about her aspirations for women in workplaces. On the same note, effective strategies in the globalized landscape go beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, embracing cultural boundaries and individual market nuances, not just women. Adapting strategies to cultural differences fosters trust and credibility, emphasizing the significance of uniting diverse perspectives for success. However, what sets successful women apart is not just seeking advice, but actively listening during strategic planning. The focus shifts from a gender-based competition in intellect to utilising cognitive capacity effectively.
A major learning in the past two decades has been empowering individuals to define success and control their destinies. Being content limits growth. The focus should be continuous growth and success, promoting a mindset that includes employees and support teams. An irrefutable aspect is a comprehension of the financial fundamentals of one’s company. Even during economic downturns, there are opportunities for business success. Investors analyze a company’s response to market trends.
Strategic Decision-Making in a Multicultural Team
I emphasise the importance of cultivating a multicultural mindset within our team of women working across continents. Inclusion from diverse backgrounds enriches strategic discussions and strengthens decision-making. Contrary to the misconception that women can juggle every responsibility, the focus is on gradually balancing work and life. Personally, I advocate delegating tasks to others, using their experience. Additionally, multicultural team members bring unique viewpoints, fostering innovation and market understanding in strategic discussions, highlighting the indispensable value of inclusivity in decision-making for women entrepreneurs.
The Role of Technology in Facilitating Global Strategies
“I think moms are phenomenal problem solvers.” Laura Boccanfuso said. She is the CEO of Van Robotics and shifted from a stay-at-home mother to a computer science PhD. She created AI-enabled classroom tutors to aid children with special needs. Despite gender bias from venture capitalists, she persisted, and her robot “ABii” is now utilized in US schools and globally benefiting over 100,000 students and teachers.
Technology has significantly facilitated the implementation of global strategies, offering opportunities for growth by breaking down geographical barriers and fostering unity within global teams. The democratised access to information and real-time collaboration through digital platforms has enabled seamless communication and overcome geographical challenges.
Innovative Marketing Solutions for Revenue Growth
Innovation is the heartbeat of business growth. Implementing creative and tailor-made marketing solutions can set businesses apart in competitive markets. From my experiences, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of innovative marketing strategies in capturing the attention of clients and customers.
Everyone should embrace creative marketing solutions to engage their audience and drive revenue. The innovation becomes a key differentiator, positioning businesses for success in dynamic markets. From content marketing to social media strategies, the options for innovative approaches are vast.
Decoding Gender Differences in Decision-Making
Understanding the nuances of decision-making styles, particularly in the B2B landscape, is pivotal for women entrepreneurs. Recognizing gender-related differences empowers them in negotiations and client interactions, fostering effective communication and collaboration. Having this understanding is a strategic asset when navigating diverse markets. Additionally, empathy plays a crucial role in business success, enabling entrepreneurs to connect with clients, investors, and stakeholders on a deeper level. It builds strong relationships, fosters a positive work culture, and enhances teamwork in a nurturing environment, leading to increased employee satisfaction, productivity, and loyalty.
When making decisions, men and women offer different perspectives, similar to the metaphorical dynamics of “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.” Acknowledging and embracing these differences enhances collaboration, creating a harmonious fusion of diverse strategies that lead to success in the intricate business world.
In this fast-paced world, where the speed of women is always compared with that of men, long gone has the time when women lagged. The exponential growth of women in all possible areas of interest has proven how unstoppable feminine energy has become. One of the many fields where women are leaving a significant mark is the startup industry. With every passing year, there is a notable amount of growth in the unicorns led by women. The entrepreneurial venture is welcomed more warmly than ever with every passing quarter.
MyGlamm’s Valuation: $1.2+ Billion Year Founded: 2014 Unicorn Status: 2021
MyGlamm – Women-Led Startups That Turned Unicorns
Founder and CEO of POPxo, Priyanka Gill is now a successful entrepreneur, journalist, and angel investor. She started her journey by starting a digital community platform for women- POPxo. It was started in 2014 to engage millennial women with content related to Personal care, beauty, and Fashion. In no time POPxo emerged as the largest digital platform with roaring popularity. Later in 2021, Gill joined Darpan Sanghvi (MyGlamm) and Naiyya Saggi (BabyChakra) to establish “The Good Glamm Group” to form a house of brands. They further strengthen each other’s position in the beauty and personal care market to rule the Digital FMCG industry.
Naiyya Saggi – BabyChakra, MyGlamm (The Good Glamm Group)
The Good Glamm Group Valuation: $1.2+ Billion
Year Founded: 2021 Unicorn Status: 2021
Naiyya Saggi – Founder, The Good Glamm Group – Women-led Unicorn Startups of India
Also known as the founder of BabyChakra, who is also the Co-founder and the President of MyGlamm, and the Co-founder of The Good Glamm Group along with Priyanka Gill, Naiyya Saggi is counted as one of the most successful young woman entrepreneurs in India. She completed her MBA from Harvard Business School, where she was a Fulbright and J.N.Tata scholar, after obtaining a BALLB (Hons). Saggi served as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company, and eventually, after completing her MBA, she founded BabyChakra, then became the Co-founder and President at MyGlamm, and eventually became the Co-Founder of The Good Glamm Group, when Darpan Sanghvi, Priyanka Gill, and Naiyya Saggi from came together to establish The Good Glamm Group in September 2021.
Falguni Nayar – Nykaa
Nykaa’s Valuation: $12.86+ Billion Year Founded: 2012 Unicorn Status: 2020
Nykaa’s name stands with one of the very few female-led profitable unicorns. Falguni Nayar, an IIM Ahemdabad alumni quit her job at the age of 49 in 2012 to finally set a rolling pin for her entrepreneurial journey that was sitting in her head for a long time. Nykaa gained instant popularity among Indian women due to its wide range of beauty segments. The Falguni Nayar-led company turned unicorn in 2020 and is hailed as the first women-led unicorn startup in India. After the Nykaa IPO, which was oversubscribed 81.78 times, the company managed to catapult its valuation to more than $12 bn, and Falguni Nayyar, who owns more than 53% stakes in the company, turned to be the richest self-made female Indian billionaire.
Upasana Taku is the founder of MobiKwik, one of the most prominent Indian payment service providers that offer mobile phone-based payment systems and digital wallet services. Bipin Preet Singh and his wife, Upasana Taku, founded MobiKwik in 2009, the valuation of which reached $1 bn in October 2021.
Upasana Taku is a Stanford University graduate who completed her MS in Management Science and Engineering from the same university. Starting as a Business Analyst, Product Management at HSBC, Upasana founded MobiKwik, where she is still serving the role of the Chairperson, Cofounder and COO. Taku was also the Senior Product Manager at PayPal, Consultant at multiple companies and the Co-founder of ZaakPay.
Divya Gokulnath – Byju’s
Byju’s Valuation: $18+ Billion Year Founded: 2011 Unicorn Status: 2018
Divya Gokulnath, a businesswoman and a teacher, happens to be the co-founder and the Director of Byju’s. Byju’s is an Indian educational technology (EdTech) online tutoring firm. It was founded in 2011 by the power duo – Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath. Over the years the tutoring app has evolved and grown into one of India’s most valuable unicorns with a current valuation of $18 billion. Divya Gokulnath has played a key role right from the beginning by offering the expertise she had as a former teacher.
Ghazal Alagh – Mamaearth
Mamaearth’s Valuation: $1.2+ Billion Year Founded: 2016 Unicorn Status: 2022
Founder of Mamaearth, Ghazal Alagh, and her story has caught the eyes of many Indians after starring as an investor in the reality show called shark tank. Her brand, “Mamaearth” offers a wide range of skincare, and beauty products and is very popular among Indian households. Mamaearth was founded by Ghazal and her husband Varun Alagh in the year 2016. Her goal is to make the beauty industry chemical toxicity free.
Rajoshi Ghosh – Hasura
Hasura’s Valuation: $1+ Billion Year Founded: 2017 Unicorn Status: 2022
Rajoshi Ghosh happens to be a National University of Singapore and Stanford Ignite alumni. Hasura went from being a home-cooked food delivery company to a Software-as-a-service company. It was founded by Rajoshi Ghosh and Tanmai Gopal in the year 2017. In 2022, it entered the unicorn club soon after raising $100 million in series C funding.
Gazal Kalra – Rivigo
Rivigo’s Valuation: $1.07+ Billion Year Founded: 2014 Unicorn Status: 2019
Gazal Kalra along with Deepak Garg visioned revolutionizing truck driving in India by establishing Rivigo Services. It was founded in 2014. It is a tech-enabled Cargo service offered in India. In the year 2019, the company turned into a unicorn. Gazal quit the company’s board in 2018. She is currently working on her new startup, which is in stealth mode.
Dr. Garima Sawhney is a Gynecologist by profession. She, along with Harsimarbir Singh and Vaibhav Kapoor founded Pristyn Care in the year 2018. Pristyn Care focuses on availing surgeries and treatment with ease to the masses. The company has a widespread partnership with over 500 hospitals spreading out in the major cities of India. The healthcare-tech startup entered the $1 billion club when it raised around $100 mn in funds via its series E round in December 2021.
Ofbusiness’ Valuation: $1+ Billion Year Founded: 2016 Unicorn Status: 2022
39-year-old Ruchi Kalra has been into the startup game for quite a long time. Ofbusiness was founded by Ruchi and her husband Ashish Mahapatra in the year 2016. The company is one of the best raw materials supplying startups in India, which is known for offering a wide range of products at the lowest prices. Ofbusiness turned unicorn in July 2021 and is currently valued at $1.5 bn. The financial services arm of Ofbusiness, Oxyzo is also a unicorn that achieved the unicorn valuation in March 2022. Kalra recently made a statement that her company is all set for its Initial Public Offering.
Smita Deorah – LEAD
LEAD Valuation: $1.1+ Billion Year Founded: 2012 Unicorn Status: 2022
Smita Deorah – Co-CEO and Co-Founder of LEAD
Smita Deorah is the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of LEAD. It was founded in 2012 by Sumeet Mehta and Smita Deorah. LEAD is a technology-based school Ed-tech company that focuses on transforming the education system in India, ensuring high-quality education for children. LEAD is also a unicorn, and now under the guidance of Smita Deorah, it is giving some of the major players like Unacademy, Byju’s, UpGrad, Vedantu, and Eruditus a cut-throat competition.
Ambiga Subramanian – Mu Sigma
Mu Sigma’s Valuation: $1.5+ Billion (2018) Year Founded: 2004 Unicorn Status: 2016
Dhiraj Rajaram, Ambiga Subramanian’s ex-husband, launched Mu Sigma in 2004. After their divorce, Dhiraj took over as CEO, in addition to being the former CEO of a data analytics service provider with offices in Bangalore (Karnataka) and Illinois (Chicago). Ambiga is also India’s very first youngest rich woman who is self-made. With her devotion and expertise, she turned the company into a high-profit-making machine, establishing herself as one of the first self-made women to turn a company into a unicorn in no time. Mu Sigma has last been valued at $1.5 billion, in 2018. The former founder CEO, COO, Head of Innovation, and Head of Talent.
Conclusion
In the Indian startup ecosystem, women have broken the glass ceiling of prejudice and have proved themselves as able leaders, guiding their companies to unicorn valuations and letting them achieve many feats. It is crystal clear that over the recent years, this number kept growing several folds. From Ghazal Alagh’s “Mamaearth” to Priyanka Gill’s “The Good Glamm Group” and Falguni Nayyar’s “Nykaa”, the women entrepreneurs of India have left no stone unturned to bring the companies they’re leading to greater heights. Indian female entrepreneurs have surpassed the limits of age, qualification, and many other stereotypes and climbed the ladders of great opportunities fearlessly. According to surveys, with women leaders sitting at the top, the culture of the companies also has improved significantly over time.
FAQs
Who are the top female entrepreneurs in India?
A list of the Top Female Entrepreneurs in India are:
Falguni Nayar
Naiyya Saggi
Priyanka Gill
Ghazal Alagh
Upasana Taku
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
Vandana Luthra
Indra Nooyi
Vani Kola
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal
Supriya Paul
Malini Agarwal
Which are the top startups led by women?
Top women-led startups that turned into unicorns are:
MyGlamm (The Good Glamm group)
Nykaa
Byju’s
MobiKwik
Mamaearth
MobiKwik
Hasura
Rivigo
Pristyn Care
Ofbusiness
LEAD
Mu Sigma
Who are the women who lead billion-dollar startups in India?
Some of the most prominent billion-dollar startups led by women in India are:
Priyanka Gill – MyGlamm (The Good Glamm Group)
Naiyya Saggi – The Good Glamm Group
Falguni Nayar – Nykaa
Upasana Taku – MobiKwik
Divya Gokulnath – Byju’s
Ghazal Alagh – Mamaearth
Rajoshi Ghosh – Hasura
Gazal Kalra – Rivigo
Dr. Garima Sawhney – Pristyn Care
Ruchi Kalra – Ofbusiness
Smita Deorah – LEAD
Ambiga Subramanian – Mu Sigma
How many unicorns does India have now?
India has over 100 unicorn startups, as of May 2022.
Which are the women-led highest-valued startups in India?
Nykaa is the highest valued startup in India led by Falguni Nayar with a valuation of $12.86 Billion.
Google for Startups is an accelerator program by Google for supporting Startups and helping them grow. It provides mentorships, training, and, guides entrepreneurs to find solutions for the challenges they face in building and growing their startups. StartupTalky took an initiative to know the details of the program – Selection Procedure, challenges to be addressed, help for women entrepreneurs, and more.
Here are insights into Google for Startups by Paul Ravindranath G – Program Manager, Developer Relations & Head of Google Accelerator at Google India, Bangalore.
How is Google for startups different from the traditional accelerator model?
The Google for Startups Accelerator helps startups build successful products and businesses by focusing on 360* needs of the company and founders. Our needs analysis for selected startups helps us define a custom support plan for each of the startups that meet them at their point of need. Not only is there focus on solid tech, product strategy and growth but also on people and leadership.
How is the selection procedure for startups?
When applications open, startups can apply directly at the accelerator tab of Google for Startups.
GFS Accelerator looks for startups that are meaningfully and scalably solving for the challenges of the current times. The program is vertical agnostic, but given the need to further innovation in an increasingly digital-first world, we are carefully considering verticals such as Edtech, Healthtech, Fintech, Retail & Logistics, Media & Entertainment, Agritech and Gaming.
The 3 months mentorship program selection process has some basic eligibility criteria such as:
Startups need to be based out of India
Should preferably in the seed to Series A, B stages
Deep understanding/application of new-age technology
What areas do most startups at the program struggle with/ What problems do they expect you to address?
The program’s focus is a founder-first, founder-friendly approach to support startups in solving their business, operational, and technology challenges.
Startups face a varied set of challenges at different stages of growth and maturity. Since the accelerator is a stage agnostic program, it presents the opportunity to work with startups facing diverse challenges. With a strong mentor base and methodologies to help with various areas, the program can address key challenges faced by founders.
User Experience/User Interface, Product Strategy, Tech Architecture, Growth and Marketing and People Development tend to be the main areas where the program can add value to startups.
Additionally, we also provide them with extensive training on leadership along with robust strategies for building company and product capabilities. As part of this program, founders outline the top challenges facing their startups and are then paired with relevant experts from Google and the industry to solve those challenges.
Is the support more tech-centric or spread across different domains? Do you plan to expand the horizon?
Accelerator helps startups scale and be successful with strong product strategy and a robust and scalable technology approach. The 360* approach we take helps address all the key areas of concern for a startup. The goal is to constantly look to add on expertise and methodologies to help startups thrive.
Every startup is unique and has different needs, how do you address their needs individually?
With every class batch we attempt to identify some unique and interesting startups. Each of these businesses have different requirements and different business challenges. The accelerator is looking for startups at all stages of development that are not only using cutting-edge technology but are also helping India, and potentially the rest of the world, adapt and move forward especially in a post pandemic world.
At the very beginning of the program, selected startups go through a complete needs analysis with a panel of experts and mentors. This exercise helps us build distinct goals and objectives for every startup that are addressed through a mentoring bootcamp, access to mentors and Google teams to help in moving their goals.
What are few areas which Google for startups provide a unique value? Does it help in connecting partners with govt agencies or a few of the best customers?
Startups are connected to mentors from all over the world through the accelerator programme. As part of the programme, we have over 20 Google teams and hundreds of industry experts who assist with operational, technology, and business difficulties. Mentors bring expertise across a wide range of areas such as User Experience and User Research, Technology covering Android, Cloud, Web and more. Marketing & Growth, Leadership are other key areas.
Additionally, the startups also find themselves to be eligible for the following perks, once they are part of the Google for Startups Accelerator Programme.
Equity-free support
Technical training on design, people, product, and growth marketing
Support on high-level company and product strategy
Google product credits and early access to new services
What’s the format/curriculum of the program? Does it change every year?
Google for Startups Accelerator India is a three-month cohort based program. There are typically 2 cohorts a year. While the accelerator team is based out of Bengaluru, the scope of the programme expands over the country where we handpick the best and the most promising startups to be a part of the batches.
In light of the constraints posed by the pandemic, the accelerator currently runs as a fully digital program but is hopeful of going hybrid as things improve. During the beginning of the program, we work with the startups selected into the accelerator to determine each startup’s challenges and support required from the program. Then these startups go through an intensive Bootcamp around topics such as Product, Design, Technology, People & Growth, followed by the OKR (Objective Key Results) workshop to define their objective for the next 3 months.
Have you ever considered a program specifically for women entrepreneurs or tier2 or tier 3 city startups?
Despite the many strides in diversity and inclusion efforts in different industries in India and the world, we remain at some distance from true and proportionate representation of women in the workforce – be it in leadership, entrepreneurship or otherwise.
This is a gap that we are committed to closing through various efforts within Google and beyond, across all the communities we support. Our ongoing efforts to support women entrepreneurs are one of these. To showcase our belief in the Indian women entrepreneurs, for our 6th batch we have selected around 35% of women-led startups in the mix and comprising a mix of B2B & B2C startups between Seed and Series A stages.
Do the alumni startups contribute in any way to the program?
With over 100 startups graduating from the program, we have a broad set of alumni, including unicorns like Sharechat. Several Alumni give back to the program with their recommendations of great upcoming startups. They come forward to support the cohorts as mentors, speakers and more.
Could you please share some insight on the success rates of the startups after the program?
The Google for Startups Accelerator has mentored over 116 startups, who have collectively raised over $2 billion in funding and contributed significantly to India being one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems.
Startups solving for key large-scale opportunities that India presents such as Drivezy, Nestaway, Sharechat were part of our early cohorts. Several companies like Niramai that apply cutting edge AI/ML tech in healthcare, specifically early detection of breast cancer have benefited with our technology input.
These startups, along with all the others in the previous batches of GFSA, continue to make an impact in the country.
Few things we (the whole startup community) can do to support startups across India?
The Indian startup community is currently witnessing a maturing cycle and even through the pandemic, growth has been solid. As a startup ecosystem few trends present an opportunity for us all to make a difference.
So also is the area of helping founders understand how to build great teams. Employability and access to good talent have been a challenge for seed to series A companies.
Enabling startups with insights, research and access is going to be key as they innovate and solve for India and the world.
The biggest support that we can provide each other in this thriving ecosystem, is collaboration across the ecosystem. Collaboration with a founder first, founder-friendly community approach can make a true impact as startups help accelerate our economy.
What is your opinion on the Gender Pay Gap in India? Have you experienced it? As the number of women working in every profession shot up, the difference in the wage gap between them and their counterparts became ever so evident. We call it the Gender Pay Gap.
It is only in recent times that women have come on board calling out this ill practice in almost every profession. Even Hollywood and Bollywood actress has been witness to this unfair idea of being paid lesser than men. Having the same amount of education, skill set, expertise and experience but still being paid than your peers (men) is not only frustrating but highly disappointing. We dive deep into the issue as we listen to a few professionals share their own experiences.
Gender Pay Gap is predominant and non-measurable especially in the unorganised sector when compared to organised sectors because of lesser opportunity towards education, employment and training programs. In organised sectors, recent corporate policies, amendments and framework helps to narrow the Gender Pay Gap whereas Social injustice in the unorganised sector widens the gap even furthermore. So we need to empower women from the bottom level of the social pyramid if we really need to overcome gender based pay disparity. Startups like Terabite ekarts are empowering independent women entrepreneurs and self help groups through opportunity, technology, training exposures to stand on their own with promising business models.
I have not experienced any gender biased pay gap so far and look forward to providing similar exposure to women in our startup.
Dr. Shikha Baghi Bhandari – CEO & Owner,Timeless Aesthetics
Gender pay gap is a clear and present issue. India is growing in terms of technology and economy however, is there an equal spread among the masses, I obviously think not.
Not lacking in skill but the lacking in compensation, is simply outrageous and unfair. It’ll remain so as long as women don’t break the glass ceiling and declare their presence. Best way to accomplish that is to start your own business. Become your own boss and spread equality as it should be.
Given the nature of my profession, it is primarily dominated by women so I cannot say that I have witnessed the gender pay discrepancy. However, there are those I know socially who confess to this phenomenon frequently to me. I wish I could put forth solutions to it but sadly, it requires a higher level of reformation.
My trainings allow women to be able to earn properly in the market. My trained professionals are running their own businesses both in India and abroad. and those who can’t muster enough means, I hire myself.
My staff is treated on an equal scale. Merit first and skill second, regardless of what gender you are born with.
Yes of course, the gender pay gap is real and not a myth. Men are normally considered more capable, more “get the work done” type. But what many don’t realize is that, Women are the ones that are better in planning, better in delegating, better in managing etc.… I did experience the pay gap when I was in my third job, after a decent years of experience in my belt, that a male colleague with the same / even lesser experience than me had been given a promotion even though my results were much better. But in the end of the day, hard work matters and that’s lead me to opening my own Company where we not only promote gender equality in all aspects, but we also have a healthy competition between the genders.
Gender Pay gap exists in India and at every level. When we talk about blue collar jobs, the women are differentiated on the basis of strength and it is already assumed by people that a woman doesn’t have much strength and hence should be paid less. Talking about white collar work, getting paid less is a different thing all together, women are not even considered for job ! Even in 2021, you will see number of job posts on LinkedIn mentioning that only male candidates will be preferred. We are living in 21st century now and such differences are just absurd
When I was working, I experienced this first hand. It was that time of the year that makes some people nervous and others excited. The time of appraisals. I knew I had done well. But the increment wasn’t what I had expected. When I confronted my manager, I was told that since the company already compensates for my travel they would cut down on my increment. I was taken aback when I heard this. And as expected I didn’t last too long in that company.
I personally believe women can put as much hard work as men in any kinds of jobs and its time the industry starts treating women equally and giving them the due credit
According to United Nations, legal restrictions have kept around 2.7 billion women from accessing the same choice of jobs as men and as of 2019, less than 25 per cent of parliamentarians were women and one in three women experience gender-based violence. This women’s day we should promise ourselves that we will do better by other women and ourselves. Be a little more kind and bold and go after things we want fearlessly. Raising our voice against injustice towards other women and uplifting and empowering each other, co-existing and collaborating and creating a safe and happy world for women everywhere. Happy Women’s Day!
Chahat Aggarwal- Founder and CEO of Impact Study Biz
Chahat Aggarwal- Founder and CEO of Impact Study Biz
Having done my fair share of stints in the corporate world, of course I have experienced a pay gap due to no other reason but my gender, which truly was heartbreaking. And without a shadow of a doubt, I find the gap to be absurd. The phenomenon is a roadblock to India’s path to achieving decent working conditions and inclusive growth. Economic women empowerment will help women in so many spheres. Its after-effects are truly immense. Fortunately, we are making progress, but it is low and needs to accelerate.
While Gender Pay Gap in India exists, it is slowly but surely diminishing.
Today, companies and organisations, (at least in metros and larger cities) are realizing that gender is not a factor that determines the quality of work. This realization is enabling people, regardless of their gender, to demand for fees/remuneration based on the output they deliver.
Yes, there of course is an apparent initial sense that women may not command the same pay as men but once the work ethic, style and output has been demonstrated, in my opinion, businesses are definitely evolving from their tradition mindsets. I have been fortunate to work alongside businesses (that although seem very one specific gender biased), they have been extremely professional when it comes to work.
As a topic gender pay gap needs to be addressed holistically. The pay gap is rooted in all segments of society. In India, the pay gap exists at all levels. In most cases, the pay gap increases with the job experience reflecting the fact that there is a considerable bias and stereotyping that exists in society. In my view, a 360-degree approach could be taken which starts right from educating about ‘discrimination in the workplace and removing conscious and unconscious bias in terms of women workforce, reinforcing diversity goals for organisations of all levels and creating an environment of ‘equal wages for all talent’ at all levels.
Ms. Ravina Jain – Founder & CEO, The Skin Story & The Beard Story
The highly prevalent gap in gender pay has its roots in the dominant patriarchal system that is slowly and steadily changing for the better. However, even this has not slowed down or halted the progress of leadership-oriented women to reach for their dreams and aspirations. On the other hand, the very mold that had kept many into the shadows is becoming the precise platform on which these women are launching their enthusiastic ventures, transforming the prevalent culture by redefining the socio-political prejudices and embarking on their journeys that are made of heart and hardships.
Ms. Pooja Nagdev – Founder, Inatur
In my opinion, Gender Pay Gap is a thing of the past. More than gender, merit is the key determinant of pay. Today women are leading some of the biggest organizations all over the world including India. They are excelling in the fields like Medicine, Healthcare, Politics, and even Space Exploration. There are equal employment opportunities. The government and administration have ensured that these opportunities are available not just in urban but rural areas. Minimum Wages and Statutory employee benefits do not discriminate between genders. Not just pays, there are private and public sector efforts to ensure that women have equal opportunities in education, nutrition & health to pave way for an equal and progressive career.
Anamika Pandey, Founder, Naario
In my opinion, the gender pay gap in India is very real. Not just in offices but at home. For instance, being a stay-at-home mom is a full-time job but are any of our homemakers really paid for it? I do not think so.
One of the reasons we started Naario was to bridge this gap. Even when you look at corporates and how the pay gap is, you’ll not be surprised. A fairly big reason for this is that women are not seen as primary bread winners in India. An earning women is always viewed as secondary or additional income source. I had fallen prey to this mentality too and it took years to let go of this bias.
But there seems to be a ray of hope in the tunnel. With the Governement boosting the participation of women in the organised and unorganised sectors, there will be less information asymmetry in terms of pay scale. And that I think is the first step towards bridging the gap!
Ms.Ankita Dabas, Global CMO & Chief India Business Officer, LaunchMyCareer
India has been marking its place among the major economies of the world. However, despite the economic development gender pay gap persists in India. Pay in any organization should be skill-based and not gender-based. Women put as much effort into their work as men do, hence, the pay gap beyond a reasonable amount should not be accepted. In case any woman in any organization is subdued with lesser pay as compared to their male counterparts, she needs to understand the reason for the gap, and upskill herself in case of the skill-based gap. If the gap is non-skill-based, she needs to raise her voice against the discrimination and ask for raise. Women should realise their importance and their work’s significance. The situation in metros cities has been fast evolving towards gender-equal pay, however, a lot is still to be desired in other parts of the country.
Namrata Rupani, Founder & CEO, Capture Life Dental Care & Studio Capture Life
As an entrepreneur, I can assert with conviction that the thrill and euphoria of nurturing your own business and achieving your dreams far exceed any and every challenge along the way. In most sectors and setups, gender pay does exist as a phenomenon that is primarily driven by the prevalent patriarchal setup. However, it’s the support system of leading woman entrepreneurs that has helped build a constructive and conducive environment for young potential entrepreneurs to be groomed for success and excellence.
The difference in earnings between men and women is still a very wide gap. In a world where women are successfully leading in politics, sports, healthcare, technology, manufacturing and businesses, wage inequality remaining a challenge, is a very shameful scenario. Wage equality gaps in India, in a way also impact the progress of gender equality at a national and international level.
Though the scenario is changing now, there is a huge gap that still needs to be bridged as far as gender pay gaps are concerned. The labor force in india is divided into the organized and unorganized sector, making this gap even more prevalent in the rural areas where women are facing disparity in wages at a much larger scale. Even though the Constitution of India grants us equal rights as women, and we are entitled to equal wages for equal work, it is not always implemented in reality.
Even though India has come a long way in addressing these issues, there is still a lot that needs to be done. To truly become a progressive nation, the government should make it their agenda to close the gender pay gap by emulating what has been done in more progressive Western countries to uplift women.
Shreya Sharma, C.E.O and Founder, Rest The Case
While I think it is getting better I think we still have a long way to go. Your pay is usually defined by your position and your gender often affects your growth, women have time and again faced this kind of discrimination without people seeing the work they could have put in. I have always believed that people should get paid for the work they put in and not what gender they are. They should get the pay they deserve.
Diksha Chhabra – Founder of Diksha Chhabra Fitness Consultations
Gender pay gap has been an existing issue not just at national but global levels.. there is no denying that women get less acknowledgement for their hardwork and participation at the work front compared to their male counterparts and this has its roots laiden from ages with the belief that women are inferior and should settle for less.. No matter how advance we become as a workforce , this thought will take time to diminish and over the years the gap is reducing with more awareness, flexibility, recognition and voice amongst women and the employers.
Studies show that the gap is bridging and factors that are working as catalysts are setting the right policies and approach of paying as per cerebral aptitude and not by the gender one is born with.
Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO, JobsForHer
Neha-Bagaria – Founder, JobsForHer
The pandemic has just widened the gender pay gap further in India with women being left behind on pay raises and bonuses. According to ADP’s study ‘People at Work 2021: A Global Workforce View’, in India only 65 per cent of women received a pay rise or bonus for taking on extra responsibilities or a new role compared to 70 per cent of men.
We need to be cognizant of the fact that women typically under-report their achievements and give more credit to their team members than men do. Reporting managers need to be cognizant of these biases when evaluating women’s performance and ensure that gender pay parity is maintained in their teams.
Conclusion
Although, many organisations may refrain from acknowledging the fact that gender pay gap is a global reality and that women are being paid lesser than their male counterparts because, well, they’re women. Feminism across the globe are on the rise and have taken up this issue due to the consequences and unfair nature of this practice.
It’s not fair to be having equal talents and still being considered a runner up in the long run. Women work twice as hard in their professions just to make sure no one accuses them of playing the “women card” for climbing the corporate ladder. It’s difficult enough that they are required to juggle multiple fronts at home and work. Women therefore are no longer passive about this situation seek full fledged attention and demand an equal opportunity and remuneration, rightfully so. If an opportunity arises where you have a say in this matter, please speak up and do the right thing!
We are long past the old wives’ tale of the pathetic patriarchal society of the past which forced the idea that women cannot be founders, co-founders, or manage businesses successfully. Now, women are not only reigning in the sphere of businesses but also appearing as a powerful force commanding the startup ecosystem much like their male counterparts. Women entrepreneurs are not a myth now but in fact, breaking the stereotypical boundaries built by a regressive world that was male-dominated.
StartupTalky salutes all the women entrepreneurs this Women’s Day, who have successfully come out of all the past prejudices and are breaking stereotypes in entrepreneurship!
Here’s a list of all the women entrepreneurs of India, who are making a mark in the growing startup ecosystem of the country. So, without further adieu, let’s hear it from them ahead.
I (Nupur) started my professional journey working in Corporate and worked for almost 4 years in different companies in various roles. While the learning curve was steep in those 4 years, I always felt that I resonated more with startups’ fast-paced and ever-changing dynamic culture. My passion for doing something that creates real value for society at large was my driving force to move from a 9 to 5 job to co-founding a health-tech start-up. My journey so far as co-founder of Navia Life Care has been extraordinary and the startup learnings are incomparable.
Running a company is demanding and challenging. Working through ambiguity, wearing multiple hats, and taking extra responsibility, especially after working in a stable and structured corporate environment can be very stressful at times. However, what has always kept me going is the impact that we’ve been able to create in the healthcare ecosystem, by digitizing thousands of doctors and hence touching the lives of millions of patients.
Dimpy Dewan | Co-Founder, Hanchens
Woman Entrepreneur – Dimpy Dewan
Women are best at Multi-tasking, creativity, money-management, negotiation skills, honesty, resilience, compassion, and taking everyone along. These are exactly the skills required to be a successful entrepreneur in building things ground up. I wish to congratulate all the Women Entrepreneurs who have broken the age-old shackles and pre-conceived notions, rules, barriers and paved the way for other women to come to the forefront to be and lead the change. As women, our intent should not be to follow or to trample over any gender but to walk along and make a mark in building solutions for the largest economy in the world and also taking India to the global arena. With folded hands, I also seek and advise complete support from men of their family and workplace to inspire them and back them in whatever little way they can, which gives them wings to fly and thrive in whatever they wish to do.
Sharmilee Kapur | Founder & Director, Atmantan Wellness Centre
Sharmilee Kapur | Founder, Atmantan Wellness Centre
There are many stereotypes attached to Women entrepreneurs… one that always bothered me was that once women get pregnant or have babies, they can’t work! Well, that is so not true… Atmantan was a dream come true for me and when we finally started working in it in 2008, I was pregnant. I remember being plump pregnant, and sitting on long 8 hour meetings for 3-4 days at a stretch, with our overseas architects. There was absolutely no dip in my productivity; in fact, I think we did some of our best work then, proof being this fabulous well-planned Wellness Centre! Even after I delivered my son in August 2008, (13 years ago), I would express myself in the early morning, and go attend these very architect meetings.
I did have to have a family member be with my newborn, check with them every 2-3 hours, and also go through some guilt pangs… but I used to tell myself that Atmantan was my dream and I simply needed to put in the work to make it happen. Yes, I would come back home exhausted from those yummy and happy baby hormones, but I did what was needed, and when it was needed and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Women are like that… we get stuff done, no matter what. It is true that women break stereotypes every day.
Megha Asher | COO & Co-Founder, Juicy Chemistry
Megha Asher | COO & Co-Founder, Juicy Chemistry
You know building a successful business is not just about a brilliant idea or great decision-making. It is not limited to one individual. Instead, it takes an army that is religiously working behind the scenes to build the empire. And this army is not just limited to your core team but includes each and everyone from staff to management, your family, and even your house help who manages your household chores to ensure your work goes on smoothly. Success is always a team effort.
Looking at the bigger picture, there has been a paradigm shift to women taking leadership roles in sectors that were previously seen as “male-dominated”. Though there have been improvements on social parameters, leading to more acceptance in the business world, women-owned firms or women in leadership roles in healthcare, tech, marketing, food industry, and such other important sectors still somehow remain a minority.
I have always believed that gender does not have anything to do with someone’s achievements but certain pressures that women and especially Indian women have to overcome to be able to keep their careers going are too daunting to be overlooked. Even in this century, gender bias at the workplace, being buried under household responsibilities on top of a full-time job, finding the right mentors at the job become deciding factors for women as to whether they want to continue at work.
I consider myself lucky to have worked with an incredible set of people most of the time but at the same time, I have encountered gender stereotypes that hindered me from leading projects or building a support network in male-dominated areas. Over time, I learned to work hard to develop strategies to transform these barriers into opportunities which only helped me in enhancing not just my leadership skills and abilities, but also the overall health of the companies that I’ve worked with.
Chaitali is the Associate Vice President of Marketing at Sprink.online, a full-stack meal subscription platform, created to make affordable daily personalized meals accessible to people wherever they are – at their homes or workplaces.
While stereotypes, of course, exist, I (Ramya) find that staying focused on your business goals and having no barriers in your mind are the most important things. With that comes the focus on building skills continuously, building networks, and getting the support of your colleagues as well as family – all relevant for both men and women!
Ramya Venkataraman is the founder and CEO of CENTA Private Limited working with more than half a million teachers on certification, careers, and training. Ramya has been recognized as one of ’15 Women Transforming India’ by NITI Aayog and UN, as one of ’25 women leaders in business and social sectors’ by The Economic Times, and a distinguished alum of both her alma maters IIT Delhi and IIM Calcutta.
Neha Bagaria | Founder & CEO, JobsForHer
Neha-Bagaria – Founder, JobsForHer
We need to stop stereotyping roles by gender. There is no job that isn’t a “job for her” and all roles should be opened up for both genders to increase diversity in the workplace.
I found out that nobody prepares young women to realize that men’s and women’s career graphs can look very different. We are trained to believe that a career graph is a straight vertical line that keeps rising. But in fact, it doesn’t have to be. And thus I realized that we need to prepare our women for the kind of career stages that life might throw at them. Just because you need to decelerate or take a break or slow down, doesn’t mean you’re done with your career. Once your life stage is right, you can get back right where you left off.
Raksha Kothari | Co-founder & Head of Sourcing, Go Desi
Raksha Kothari | Co-founder & Head of Sourcing, Go Desi
The manufacturing sector is a largely male-dominated field. As one of the very few women here, the biggest challenge I faced was while having to liaise with machine manufacturers, vendors, farmers, and factory staff. One needs to be both tactical and bullish when dealing with them. The latter is not a trait that came naturally to me and had to be learned with time. I realized that standing your ground and being assertive was the only way forward. These are the qualities that have helped me the most in this journey.
Raksha looks after procurement, vendor management, and production. She also takes care of HR & alliances including recruitment, training & development of the workforce as well as tracking the impact on the ground. Under her leadership, Go Desi has employed more than 200 women in their manufacturing setup in Bangalore.
Entrepreneurship is about being ready to face challenges head-on and never giving up. Every challenge is an opportunity waiting to be explored. No journey is without struggles. I strongly believe that the success of a startup stems from the drive and ability to fight against these hurdles. We have a number of success stories to prove this theory. For me, it has always been about perseverance. Business models can be figured out if you persist and have the right people by your side.
Our (my co-founder Mihir and me) aim has always been about enabling healthier living. However, when we initially started, the business model had to undergo a few iterations. While the initial ideas did not work out as planned, they gave us an opportunity to understand consumers and the market better. And OZiva was launched in 2016 to cater to the needs of the consumers.
Aarti completed her Bachelor’s in Technology from IIT Roorkee and MBA from INSEAD, France. She has worked across India, US, and Singapore with companies like Credit Suisse, Capital One, and a few tech start-ups. Parallel to her professional life, Aarti also practices OZiva’s core philosophy in her personal life. She ensures that she invests time in bettering her physical and mental wellbeing.
Supriya Kulkarni | MD, Kyzer Software
Supriya Kulkarni | MD, Kyzer Software
Entrepreneurship is a complex phenomenon and plays a key role in the economic development of a country. Women entrepreneurs are making significant contributions to global economic health, national competitiveness, and community commerce by bringing many assets to the market.
Based on recent studies, currently, women own less than one-third of small businesses in India and the number is likely to be over 50% in the coming years. The percentage of women entrepreneurs has increased from 7.69% in 1992-93 to 34% in the year 2020-21, but the number still is significantly low.
The number of women in technical courses, professional courses, and engineering streams has shown a tremendous rise. Polytechnics and IITs have only 35% girls out of total enrolled students and very few join and set their own enterprises.
Around 28% of women have an interest in starting an enterprise or are giving it serious thought, compared with 53% of men. Around one in five women come into self-employment from unemployment compared with around one in fifteen for men.
Only 2% of men cite family commitments as a reason for becoming self-employed, compared with 21% of women. Though there has been considerable growth in the number of women opting to work in family-owned businesses, they still have lower status and face more operational challenges in running businesses.
Working in a male-dominated world, woman entrepreneurs face continuous challenges of proving their worth over and over again. The key requirements of expertise, experience, leadership qualities, business acumen, and foresight get challenged so much more from a woman in the ever-changing business environments. As entrepreneurs, one has to overlook public perceptions, reassess market expectations and realign and move ahead to achieve one’s vision.
Facing major complications during audits for corporates, Supriya Kulkarni co-founded Kyzer Software. It’s one of the leading banking and financial organizations that came into existence in the year 2016. The firm is focused on the creation of banking RegTech, Trade Finance, and automation products, which supports a wide range of trade products and multiple regulations within a unified platform. Supriya is, at present, the Managing Director of Kyzer.
Every year on November 19, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is observed to acknowledge, support, and celebrate the invaluable contribution of women business leaders and entrepreneurs towards economic growth and development.
Women are no strangers to entrepreneurship. They have been breaking barriers and leading the way for fellow boss ladies since the 19th century. From running home-based businesses to scaling large teams, women have come so far, breaking glass ceilings along the way.
Women entrepreneurs can contribute to the economy as job creators, which is a spacewoman, are rapidly taking to across India. With adequate support, women entrepreneurs could fuel India’s economic growth ambitions.
I firmly believe that women of tomorrow will surely break this stereotype and not be limited to pursuing only the fields of fashion, art, dance, music, etc. We can break these shackles by attaining knowledge and becoming financially independent-which is the key to liberation. I’ve learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances. I think the key is for women not to set any limits.
Arushi Jain is an award-winning executive who received the prestigious ‘Young Entrepreneur Award’ at the India CSR Summit 2018, at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. After holding a key position in a prominent firm like Ernst & Young, Ms. Jain has brought forward her expertise of Strategy, Audits, Taxation, and Financial matrix to play a vital role in StayHappi’s progress across the nation and continues her influential part for the foremost business decisions.
Bhagyashree Singh | Director & CEO, Merakii
Bhagyashree Singh | Director & CEO, Merakii
It’s not about what you did in a month or a year; it’s about making the best of the 24 hours that you have. Women don’t have to be perfect to run the show. Be unapologetic and do it your way. Keep the guilt away, be yourself and own it all. You don’t have to conquer the world; you just have to find your strength.
Mansi Vyas | Director, Azafran
Azafran
Women are known to be excellent multitaskers so when it comes to being an entrepreneur, it doesn’t surprise me when I see several women leaders coming to the limelight these days as they were always there silently fostering brilliant ventures. It gives me immense pride to be. a part of Azafran’s journey. At Azafran, we aren’t just frontrunners but also advocate consciousness and sustainable living through our wide range of organic and natural products be it skincare, baby care, food, and nutraceuticals. This Women’s Entrepreneur’s Day we aim to nurture our organic & natural philosophy not because it’s the need of the hour but because it is the right way to lead a happy and fulfilling life on our planet.
Akshaara Lalwani | Founder & CEO , Communicate India
Akshaara Lalwani | Founder & CEO, Communicate India
Women-led companies and businesses have tremendous potential to grow and affect real change in the economies of countries. I (Akshaara) believe that as a woman entrepreneur, I am empowered to lead an organisation that creates more opportunities for women, and I have the ability to eliminate problems such as the gender pay gap. When women devote themselves to an organisation, they are passionate, compassionate and 100 percent committed to the job, such dedication can do nothing but help catapult companies to the heights of success. Despite the phenomenal performance of various women-led companies, women entrepreneurs still face a slew of challenges such as biased perceptions and rigid social norms. Young women entrepreneurs have it even tougher as they’re trying hard to build networks in the industry but are often brushed aside due to their “lack of experience”. Nonetheless, I strongly believe in the words of Frida Kahlo – “At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.
Never underestimate a woman, her instincts, or her capability. We are the biggest untapped pool of talent in the WORLD! Premium Bionaturals is a result of that and keeps us pushing harder. Look how far the expectation of cleaning, cooking, and keeping the family safe has brought us! Today, we Women do it all, with our biodegradable and non-toxic range of home care, Hygenic, and pushing others to achieve the same.
Premium Bionaturals is a result of two sisters, Kirti and Nidhi, who want to give back to the planet and lead a safer lifestyle in the form of eco-friendly, toxin-free products used in our daily lives.
Harleen Gulati | Founder, Totally Infuzd
Harleen Gulati | Founder, Totally Infuzd
A mother can start a business and run it too because she knows what it takes to multitask like an entrepreneur. So she can brew a tea cuppa at home and can simultaneously ace at running a tea business too!
Founded by a mother of two, Totally Infuzd is the brainchild of Harleen Gulati. Being an advocate of healthy living, Harleen Gulati discovered a gap in the Indian market for wellness teas that cater to perfecting well-being and she thought of stepping in by setting up Totally Infuzd with a touch of luxury. While Harleen Gulati was a renowned nutritionist, she has also trained from the Asian School of Tea. By rounding up the perfect balance of nutrition and tea variants, Totally Infuzd is crafted lovingly by her with the support from the local farmers!
At Scarlet Relations, we are an all-women run team because we feel that each woman has the ability to rise above the glass ceiling. Who other than women can be better at marketing and communications, We women are anyways known for gossiping and showing off!
Mehar Gulati, a creative strategist & business developer has been trained under the finest minds at the London College of Fashion. After studying Fashion Public Relations and communications, her passion translated to the profession for Mehar at an early stage. Her zealous drive and ambition had her managing the outreach strategies of multiple brands globally. Working with over 20 clients in the Luxury sector in her time at different agencies for 3 years + (Fashion, Retail, F&B, Hospitality, Wellness, FMCG) she followed the trend in and out. Her work as the Founder of Scarlet helps reinforce the primary reason why she opted to join the industry in the first place: the joy of delivering (qualitatively and quantitatively) on the faith that clients place in her. At Scarlet, she adorned the entrepreneurial hat whereby she helps various brands to structure their social media, consult on building the right strategies, and assists in collaborations for sound presence!
You know what a woman can do in the world with protein powders and supplements? She can launch Abbzorb Nutrition and bring world-class quality wellness supplements at an affordable price to your home!
Abbzorb is a brainchild of Anish Garg and Namrata Agarwal. Founded in the year 2019, Abbzorb is a result of the duo that aims to bring high-quality nutrition and wellness to Indian consumers at affordable prices. Tormented to see the disorganized wellness market in India whereby fake and adulterated products had led to a lot of problems, the duo ventured to start Abbzorb which could help restore the trust of people towards dietary supplements.
Namrata Agarwal joined hands with Abbzorb to ensure that consumers can rely on Indian-made products that are supported by independent internationally accredited lab results. She ensures that the quality of these products is at par with the customer expectations and plays a crucial role in the organizational and logistical frontiers of Abbzorb.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Abbzorb started its journey to formulate world-class products like Whey Based Proteins and Amino derivatives like creatine, BCAAs, and glutamine. It’s the relentless effort and pursuit of the duo who took about a year to prepare the right formulation of authentic and cost-effective supplements before launching in the market. Supported by their in-house research team, they have a full-functioning lab that houses the required equipment to help them formulate the finest selection of products.
Kavitta Bedi | Co-founder, xtraview.in
Kavitta Bedi | Co-founder, xtraview.in
I became an entrepreneur inspired by my daughter’s need of the hour which was her college interview! Since there was no formal lesson on cracking an interview, I knew I had to do something about it for students like my daughter. I would say one shouldn’t be afraid of going after what one believes one can make successful. Have faith and confidence in your own ability. Don’t be afraid to get pushed out of your comfort zone but always set boundaries and know when you need to pull out and stop. Be secure in who you are. To me, feminism is just having the choice to choose. Make your own choices and then be happy with them. Continue to learn, up-skill yourself and widen your horizon.
Kavitta B Bedi is the founder and CEO of JBC INC (Just Because its Children), where she brings in broadway theatricals from overseas for children and family audiences all across India. The repertoire of shows includes Barney Live, Spiderman Live, Noddy Live, Jungle Book Jive, Geronimo Stilton Live, etc. These shows have been done in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Dubai, Singapore, etc., An entrepreneur at heart, she is also an angel investor with investments in Tech Startups across Crowd Funding, Food Tech, Supply Chain, Health Tech, and now Ed Tech.
There are unique challenges that female entrepreneurs face, be it balancing work and motherhood, or striving to establish credibility in the workplace. Rather than treating these as “weaknesses” and trying to mask these and emulate our male counterparts, we must learn to play to our strengths, and use those to our advantage to succeed in a competitive environment. I remember resuming work in a few weeks of delivering my daughter! Such strength and inspiration came from my mother whom I’d seen managing multiple businesses in our childhood. I learned a lot from her. The art of raising ideal kids and being successful in a profession at the same time.
Katherine Ernst Mehta is the CEO and Founder of Edvanta Consulting, where she works with international high school students across India, Singapore, Indonesia, and the UK to help them navigate the US undergraduate admission process, and gain admission to their best fit colleges. Katherine graduated magna cum laude from Kenyon College, Ohio, where she majored in Anthropology, Dance & Drama. She built a career in international education after first coming to India as a student and researcher in 2009.
Nidhi Yadav | Founder, Aks Clothings
Nidhi Yadav | Founder, Aks Clothings
Women are taking the world by storm with their innovative products and articulate business strategies. The fierce passion of women entrepreneurs is breaking the gender stereotype and the generally accepted societal norm by stepping up outside the walls of their homes. However, the journey for women entrepreneurs remains a rocky one rather, in comparison to their male counterparts. Hurdles such as rife competition, scarcity in funding, reservation from the society, low-risk appetite, lower literacy, etc are very common amongst women because of the predominantly male-centric atmosphere that creates a resistance for the women to enter the business. Such was my experience as well when I began Aks Clothings. When you are a woman entrepreneur, the difficult part is not the inception but how you keep your business running and healthy once you have begun. The struggle is to find trustworthy investors and channels to source your product. Nonetheless, if you have your vision clear and a supportive team by your side, finding other ancillary elements would not be a far away dream.
Dr. Meenu Kumar | Founder, Cosmo Arts
Dr. Meenu Kumar | Founder, Cosmo Arts
The life of an entrepreneur is filled with challenges and mine has been no different. When I entered the market, I faced two major challenges. The first one was the lack of network – in the form of clients and partners.
For me, business never came from family or close friends. Even if we were able to get a contact, it wouldn’t last more than a year or two. So, I had to step out of my comfort zone to build the right kind of network. I accomplished this by joining business networking groups and social media and online portals. I expanded my horizon by reaching out to interior designers, architects, and art connoisseurs through exhibitions, shows, and online portals.
The second major challenge was to create something exquisite yet environmentally sustainable. We dealt with this challenge by creating in-house art pieces using recyclable materials like paper mache, discarded mannequins, old clothes, polythene, etc. This way, we were able to create art installations that were not only unique but sustainable as well. This approach eventually brought us a lot of success. Challenges are a part of life and we all have our own. At the end of the day, it’s not the intensity of challenges but your attitude towards them that determines whether you’ll fail or succeed.
Geeta Singh | Founder & Director, The Yellow Coin Communication
Geeta Singh | Founder & Director, The Yellow Coin Communication
The first challenge that I faced was running a business without having any sort of business background. And things are getting better now but if you are a woman taking on the world alone, people don’t often take you seriously. But I kept persevering until my body of work began doing the talking for me.
Even though I’ve been in the industry for quite a while now, I still deal with new challenges every day, and that I believe, is just part of being an entrepreneur. From hiring and retaining good employees to hiring and retaining good clients, everything is a challenge. The solution is that you have to give your 200%, and there are times when even that isn’t enough. But I take everything in stride and keep moving forward. It’s the only thing I know.
Dr Malini Saba | Founder & Chairman, Saba Group & Anannke Foundations
Dr Malini Saba, Founder & Chairman, Saba Group & Anannke Foundation
The thought that women are weak and that they should be protected creates an environment that daunts women from taking charge of their lives. Women are bad at tech, women are terrible drivers, and white women are beautiful, these are the common stereotypes women of all cultures face daily. I want to create and foster a culture for women in male-dominated areas, so I focus on hiring women in my companies. I have experienced that women are more assertive, passionate, and persuasive. They have a stronger need to get things done and are good at benchmarking their ideas to set a goal.
Through our vocational training and awareness-raising campaigns targeted at ground level, we are making attempts to change mind-sets and bring people’s attention towards the problems that plague women: sexual harassment, domestic violence and other gender-based violence, bullying at the workplace, and rape. We want to change the perception of what masculinity means, what is permissible and what is not.
This International Women’s Day, I want to tell each woman out there to stop being sorry for no reason, exude confidence and command the respect that you deserve.
Amarpreet Rai | Co-Founder & Director of Operations and Development, Sanrai International
Amarpreet Rai | Co-Founder -Sanrai International
Recognizing that commitment and perseverance can overcome all of the hurdles can be the key to success of women entrepreneurs. Signing that first contract in a male dominated medical industry, gave a boost to my confidence as I could convince my counterparts to take a chance by showing our commitment and by preserving. Thesedays, women are taking up such challenging roles and are leading by example.
Anchal Mehta | Founder, The Knowbility
Anchal Mehta – Founder, The Knowbility
A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” – Diane Mariechild Women have been known for multi tasking, creativity, leadership and team management. These skills can be found in any successful business owner. These days women have started breaking the shackles of stereotypes that tie them to household chores and desk jobs. We can see the trend of emerging women entrepreneurs, creating their own products, selling products and managing resources on and off the internet and paving way for new ways of earning. The preconceived notion that only men can run a successful business has quickly started disappearing as we see more and more women entrepreneurs taking the lead and even supporting their men as the bread winners of their household. Teenagers, students, mother’s, grandmother’s, young and old, rich and underprivileged, educated and illiterate, women from all over the world have been inspired that they can make a boss out of themselves and take the lead on their lives. We’ve long being told that women belong to the kitchens whereas now we can clearly see that women belong to themselves and are the boss of their own lives.
Shruti Aggarwal | Co-founder, Stashfin
Shruti Aggarwal – Co-founder, Stashfin
The first and most pertinent step to breaking stereotypes is to call ourselves just entrepreneurs, and not ‘women or female entrepreneurs’. Every perceived male space, importantly finance, now has women at the helm. Think about any industry – finance, healthcare, education, wellness, communication, automobiles – and you’ll likely find a woman at the lead. This is when women have been able to prove people wrong who believed ‘women can’t be good with numbers’; ‘women can’t run their own business’; ‘women can’t be the bread-earners’; and so many other biases. We have come a long way and now the mind-set is also changing to ‘she can’ vs ‘she can’t’.
My company, Stashfin, operates in the fintech space where we firmly believe that ‘Nobody in India should be credit starved’. And this includes women. In fact, I take it as my personal mission to dispel any myth that one might have about women and finances, women and investments – essentially women and money. It’s not as confusing or as difficult as it’s perceived to be. Numbers are exciting. Being an entrepreneur in this space is even better, because it’s when I see more women being financially aware, when they learn to take charge of their investments, their taxes, their money, that I know that – ‘women can’.
Ms Charushilla Narula Bajpai | Founder, Director & Key Mentor, University Connection
To begin with, it’s not uncommon for a woman to lead as an influencer at home or take charge of an ailing in-law, or double up as a teacher mentor for her children. She’s never put herself into a stereotype yet every time she acts on instinct, it’s often the world outside that sees her as different. My mother decided to participate in a beauty pageant at 60; around the same time my daughter chose to launch her first music score at 16 – were they breaking stereotypes? They were just being themselves and thankfully their environment was allowing them. Even as an entrepreneur, I’ve decided to run an all-women team at University Connection because it’s been the most natural choice. We are an extremely cohesive, collaborative, do not bicker, mean business, respect each other’s boundaries including the importance of time with family and personal goals besides professional ones! Just let a women be; she’s created to bring awe in the awesome. Another thought: From science to design to chemicals and financial know how, women are breaking barriers and allowing themselves to excel. At our college planning organisation, University Connection, we now increasing find young women students, aspiring for a career in politics, international relations, engineering and Economics.
Sakshi Aggarwal | Founder, Gharobaar.com
Well, clichés like don’t think of switching your career once you are married or have kids, business or entrepreneurship is men’s domain, instead of career focus on your family- these are the things that have hindered progress of women from ages. But the good part is that we are increasingly seeing many amazing women out there who are breaking all the shackles and succeeding.
It is no longer believed that starting a business post your 30’s is too late. Women are proving that ‘age is just a number’, and women like Falguni Nayar who founded Nykaa at the age of 50 are setting the perfect examples for us. Stories like these are paramount to breaking all the baseless stereotypes that have been created in our society.
Sejal Pravin Purohit | Founder, Seven Spring
From my viewpoint,
1) Women are now more aware of their law rights and strength. They know if they can give birth, they can do anything so they are breaking these stereotype that women are fragile.
2) Women are everywhere from space, politics to farming. It is written in our history and science that though we are all human beings, men and women think differently so world gets more opinions and new prospective due to women as they are breaking the stereotype by leading in every field (From home to Mars)
3) Earlier It was said that women are very emotional. However, women who are leading in the corporate field have proved that its nothing wrong to have high EQs as every organizational issue (be it home, corporate or country) can be solved amicably and nicely by being little empathetic and emotional, and women have broken that stereotype that women cannot lead or take decisions because they are emotional.
4) Women play so many roles where one role demands her to be very loving and emotional and at the same time other role demands her to be practical and bold. She plays every role efficiently and more than anything, she is the perfect example to describe that with efficient time management skills, one can do wonders. So here she is breaking this stereotype that it’s difficult to play many roles.
Ankita Riva, Co-Founder & COO, Zymrat
Women entrepreneurs have let the world know that they are here to take the stand, they are here to make moves and they are not one step behind. Women, today, are standing right at the front and we are being unapologetic about it. From ringing a bell at NASDAQ to listing companies on BSE, women entrepreneurs are now one step ahead of the curve.
Anamika Pandey, Founder, Naario
Women Entrepreneurs are breaking the glass celeing in very many ways today. Primarily just by showing up in increasing numbers. When a woman starts up, she is motivating tens and hundreds of women to do the same. When a woman backs another woman entrepreneur she is telling everyone that backing women founders is the need of the hour. When a woman starts talking about sales in her venture, she is telling every single person that women and sales can go hand in hand, in India and across the world. And it is not a taboo.
When a small female entrepreneur puts up a stall in a festival, she’s proving that she is confident and can run the show, at home and in business, despite having hudred responsibities. When a female entrepreneur builds her team she is telling all the team members that women can be in command yet lead with empathy. When a woman entrepreneur starts learning technology and talking data, she is telling everyone around her that she is more than what meets the eye. She can build things.
Shwetal Shubhadeep, Co-Founder & COO, Nworx
Today women entrepreneurs are role modeling that it is acceptable for them to be ambitious and a reality for them to be successful. They are also role-modeling, how to gracefully balance the many roles they play in their life and, in the process, be unapologetic to ask for support. The definition of ‘role of a woman’ and ‘capability of a woman’ is fast expanding. My wish is to have a day when the courage and strength of an entrepreneur are celebrated, and gender becomes irrelevant.
Meenakshi Dubey, Co-Founder, Yes!poho
Women entrepreneurs, who were once pursuing unpaid labor in olden times from setting pickles under the sun to crocheting sweaters and apparels for their near and dear ones, are now stepping up to become entreprenaaris. Establishing our presence in every domain from FMCG to finance, law to artistry, MNCs to encouraging saree-based businesses, women are shattering the glass ceilings of stereotypes. In former times, (in some cases, even a few years back), there was a stigma around women heading out to earn because relying on daughters, sisters, mothers etc. for daily chores seemed okay but their income was still considered something to be embarrassed or ashamed of – sidelining the entire idea of working women entrepreneurs. However, the years and years of rebellion has finally resulted in women taking accountability of their careers and fanning the fire of their ambitions to be at the top of their professional game. De-stigmatising the growth from a house-wife, mother, daughter or sister to entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs and women that slay the markets like a dragon with passion – the times have changed and the ladies are taking the lead with their due credits and recognition.
Pragati Agarwala, Partner, Three Fourth Solutions
The word ‘Entrepreneurship’, in itself is a paradox with stereotypes. This is particularly true in terms of female entrepreneurs. Whenever a woman sets out to make a change, or lead from the helm – there’s a lot of flak she has to face and keep proving herself. For instance, dealing with situations where “log kya kahenge” or “she’s a woman, what can she do?” or ‘Why should we be lead by a girl?’ and so on, is still quite commonplace today.
The mere existence and continued use of feminised descriptions of entrepreneurship gives the perception that entrepreneurial activity is a largely a male preserve. Such stereotyping has an impact.
However, our times are changing, and there is hope with figures such as Vineeta Singh, Vani Kola that are constantly challenging the norm from the forefront and helping make the workplace a more female friendly space as a whole. At TFS, we ourselves are an organisation that is 90% women dominated, and how! Each of the women on my team are constantly breaking the bias and proving with their work that women can achieve anything that we set our minds to do. The sky is the limit for their dreams, and we hope to continue enabling them to keep reaching higher!
Maintaining a balance between work and home is a task, but it is vital to success and quality of life. Today we see women holding significant positions in all walks of life and even incepting their own companies. I believe that women have come a long way, breaking the barriers and creating an ecosystem where the young generation feels motivated and encouraged to start their entrepreneurial journey. Today, when I look at young women talking about business, striving hard for their dreams, and not restricting themselves in a cage, I feel elated and delighted to hear their challenges and how they tackle them.
I started my entrepreneurial journey with a health and wellness brand- Gaia – a primarily male-dominated industry. However, I didn’t stop and kept working towards it, making it one of the frontrunners in the industry, upping consumers’ health and wellness quotient. Being a cosmetic engineer, I always had an interest in the beauty industry and realized a gap in the skincare market for the younger generation. So I researched it and launched Skinella, a skincare brand that uses superfoods’ formulation to target teenagers and younger girls. Gradually, I’m creating an environment where women can come out of their zones and build an empire that believes in equality.
Ms. Preety Tyagi, Lead Health Coach, Nutritionist and Founder of MY22BMI
Entrepreneurship is a field of business that is seasoned with various stereotypes, especially when it comes to women. Women starting a business of any kind are often termed with women-specific names such as mumpreneurs or femprenuers etc. Even the businesses are often expected to be something related to makeup, grooming, or fashion accessories. The mere notion of using such terms to define a women-owned business means that businesses and entrepreneurship are otherwise, a male-dominated reserve. However, the reality is far from this. There are women entrepreneurs in every field and all over the world, who are owning, manage, and leading businesses entirely by themselves. They are breaking stereotypes in each and every sector and field, be it automobiles, be it sports, be it science and technology, everywhere. However, such stereotyping and branding of such women-owned businesses has its own impact and fallbacks.
The existence of such bias in the world of entrepreneurship is what makes it hard for many women to step out there and start on their own. For example, in the Indian economy, if women started businesses at the same pace as men, there would be at least a million more entrepreneurs in India. Even when the number of women entrepreneurs is on the increase, it still shows that a lot needs to be done in order to break the unthought-of bias and to remove the straight sexism that is present in society. And it also shows that breaking the bias is not only essential for women but the economy of our society as a whole.
Shaily Shah, Co-founder, Elevo (Powered by Tarrakki)
It is clear that women entrepreneurs are impacted by stereotypes. As per the study, 70% of women entrepreneurs highlights that gender stereotypes, social approval or disapproval have an impact on them. But the new age living and advancement of women have started to gradually see the change in how the women are breaking the stereotypes inorder to achieve their goals. According to me, here are the pointers to break the stereotypes :-
1)Rise in awareness of how entrepreneurship, economic participation, and other financial participation helps one be stable
2)To take concrete measures to eliminate the stereotypes and their negative impacts both in public and private spheres
3)To raise awareness about realisation of rights and equal opportunities, those related to economic participation & entrepreneurship.
The upcoming years will be captivating to see the women entrepreneurs thrive for their goals.
Kruti Mehta, Founder, Vivaa Consulting
I don’t think gender has anything to do with breaking stereotypes, honestly. Anyone can champion making a change after all, so why should the onus lie with one gender. It’s more about an attitude in general, and entrepreneurs by nature have an attitude of challenging the norms or looking for a problem to solve. Having said that, having more women lead startups can definitely serve as a great inspiration for anyone wanting to make a switch from a job to a business or anyone who has an idea that they want to chase but haven’t so far. So I would like to think the courage is infectious for sure.
What women do bring to the table is an opportunity to bring awareness about unconscious biases that have existed thus far which have led to pay gaps or the glass ceilings that we all know and hear about. With more women choosing to lead, hopefully with time there will be ample of chances to challenge and change those biases to ensure equity and opportunity regardless of our gender!
Tanul Mishra, CEO, Afthonia Lab
Today we see more women at the senior-most levels in multinationals. However, the Indian fintech sector still lags behind when it comes to the number of women in the industry. Therefore, I feel that there is a need to channel the resources, in order to make these opportunities reach more women, which will help in the growth of the country’s economy. The aim is to always be gender inclusive and seek growth, with ability defined roles rather than their gender.
A better and more sustainable ecosystem that helps in overall enhancement will change the entrepreneurial journey of women in our country.
Naina Ruhail, Founder, Vanity Wagon
From being unable to voice their opinions in a male-dominated society to becoming absolutely fearless in doing so, women have broken stereotypes and how! Time and again, it has been proven that women have to go through hardships in the littlest of things. But gone are the days when the patriarchal leash held us back. It is high time that we now start acknowledging the struggles and challenges we face as women. With the rise in women taking charge of leadership roles and the emerging number of successful women entrepreneurs in India, it’s evident that we have challenged the norms and crafted a space for ourselves in the business realm and made it our niche. Today, more women are starting businesses at a much faster rate than men, making significant contributions to job creation and economic growth. We have proven ourselves and our endless capabilities to break the glass ceiling time and again!
Shreya Sharma, C.E.O and Founder, Rest The Case
Women of all ages are entrepreneurs now, right from someone who is in their 50s to younger women in 20s. They are in all fields regardless of gender. whether its finance, law or doctors which were initially male dominated industries now have women leading the way as well.
Namrata Bajaj, Co-founder, Tatsa – Skincare made Simple
As challenging as it may get, women of today are out there in every field working and crossing hurdles with an invisible crown on their heads. There is no hidden truth in women entrepreneurs breaking every kind of stereotype there is. One being Gender discrimination, which is as popular as having ‘chai’ in this country, you almost wake up to it every morning.
I personally feel women were always born to do extraordinary things. We ace, strive for perfection in the smallest & biggest of tasks and we get the work done.
According to reports women make up 13.76 per cent of entrepreneurs in India. It is only a matter of time before this number goes up. After widely promoting and supporting women entrepreneurs in reality shows which also involved major women judges, it all proved how women are breaking stereotypes within their own industries that were male-dominated.
This women’s day I would encourage each woman out there to strive for the stars, achieve everything they have dreamt of and shatter every preconceived notion there could be.
Mrs. Neha Singhania, CPO, TradeSmart
In the ever expanding entrepreneurial landscape, we can see a rising percentage of women joining the bandwagon. With India being the third largest contributor to startups and fintechs in the world, we have large number of these businesses and unicorns led by women at the front.
The status quo is changing in most of the sectors as women are proving that the age-old conditioning system or gender inequality only exists in the mind. Women of today are shaped for growth and with widened opportunities, we can expect to see more women-led enterprises in the coming years. Furthermore, women are setting a strong foundation by supporting other women to achieve a gender diverse workforce and having an equal ratio at work.
Ankita Thadani, Co-Founder, Secret Alchemist
Gender stereotyping has had a huge impact on women entrepreneurs, but more and more women choose to step out of these predefined roles to take up new and more divers challenges.
India is changing too, slowly but steadily. We all saw the female dominance in India’s version of Shark Tank. This was the year where we saw Falguni Nayar , self-made billionaire listing her company at the NSE. Looking at the bigger picture, we definitely see a paradigm shift to women taking leadership roles in so many male dominated sector. A true testament to all that the future of India holds.
Ms. Aanchal Bhatia, COO, The Plus Size Store by Meera Creations
Aanchal Bhatia – COO, The Plus size store by Meera Creations
With thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in India, inclination towards opting for entrepreneurship has increased significantly. Talented and aspiring people are seeing it as a great opportunity. Astonishingly, women have shown an unflinching affection for entrepreneurship and they are making entry into every domain of businesses. They are breaking all stereotypes, leading the company and outperforming their male counterparts with fierce passion and zeal. They are making brilliant decisions, including their companies into the unicorn list, and making collaborations with big corporate houses. They have established their names in the respective fields. Apart from that, they are receiving awards and recognitions for their contributions to the sectors on global platforms. They are not limited to any boundaries. They are just striving to fulfil their aspirations while solving the problems of society and creating a number of employment opportunities for others as well.
Conclusion
Women have indeed progressed long enough from the dark days when they were restricted to their houses, tied to the usual chores inside them. They have indeed lighted up the startup ecosystem with their own entrepreneurial sparks. However, there is always some room for more development when it comes to startups, which aims to build a world convenient for the end-users and profitable for the entrepreneurs but that demands both men and women working hand in hand.
This article is contributed by Ms. Pritika Singh, CEO, Prayag Hospital & Research Pvt. Ltd.
Despite the sword of Covid-19 hanging above our head and living with our ‘new Normal’, 2021 saw some revolutionary change in the startup industry all over the world. Almost every industry experienced a boom in a number of successful startups throughout the year. In this run, India is not far away. In fact, the year 2021 turned out to be a substantial one for Indian start-ups and entrepreneurs. India saw a monumental rise of 46 businesses that achieved unicorn status. Out of the total, 95 unicorns so far in India, 44 achieved that status in 2021 only.
Women Entrepreneurs in India
This news deserves a massive celebration, and the fact that India now has 13 female unicorn founders, 8 of which joined the list in 2021, makes the deal even sweeter. The path paved and led by the likes of business stalwarts like Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (Chairperson of Biocon), Indra Nooyi (former Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo.), and Falguni Nayyar (founder and CEO of Nykaa) is attracting more women business leaders to lead from the front and it is just the start.
Representation from names like Gazal Kalra (Founder of Rivigo), Ruchi Kalra (Founder of OfBusiness), Saritha Katikaneni (Founder of Zenoti), Ruchi Deepak (Founder of ACKO Insurance), Rashmi Verma (Founder of MapmyIndia), Garima Sawhney (Founder of Pristyn Care), Kavitha Subramaniam (Founder of Upstox), and Upasana Taku (Founder of MobiKwik), has proved that women entrepreneurs are here to stay. Not only that, but they are also shattering glass ceilings and carving a niche for themselves in industries like healthcare, science, and technology, the industries that are mostly populated and usually associated with men. These are still only the names of some female unicorn founders; thousands of stories are still untold of the women who are redefining businesses in these segments in their own way.
Struggles that Women Entrepreneurs Faces
The breakthrough of these women entrepreneurs is the much-needed silver lining, but this transformation is far from its completion yet. There is still a long way to go. And now that we are celebrating this breakthrough of sorts, it makes sense to underline the hardships and struggles that woman entrepreneurs face at large.
Societal Challenges
The societal design has kept women from stepping out of their homes and taking professional responsibility for the longest time. Despite all being said and done, when a woman eventually steps out of her home to work, her journey is quite distinguished from their male counterparts. Literary legends like Maya Angelou have also raised such issues of motherhood, marriage, and the challenges of being a working woman in society. Men have the liberty of switching off from their work after and before office hours, but sadly, women are devoid of that option. When a lady chooses to work at a job or a business, they meet an exclusive set of challenges. These include taking care of the home as well as their professional responsibilities. Such systematic design ends up burdening women even more instead of liberating them. There is always this added onus of striking a work-life balance and navigating home and office responsibilities onto these women. Despite all challenges, if we are witnessing so many women entrepreneurs and leaders on the rise, it proves that they excel at tackling them.
Less of Capital
When it comes to women founders, discrimination still exists in the form of the financial aid that they receive. Though women have proved themselves time and again to be as capable as their male counterparts in all respects in terms of businesses, the investors still find it difficult to believe they can lead an organization and this disbelief often leads to diminishing funds.
Reduced Support and Mentorship
Support from advisors and mentors always proves to be effective when it comes to business. However, as far as the women founders are concerned, they were still underprivileged in terms of the support they receives from advisors. According to the last survey, over 48% of the female entrepreneurs stated that the lack of support was prominent during their career and this lack of advisors restrained their growth massively.
Lack of Networking Opportunities
Women are always underestimated in every section of society even in this very millennia that we are living. This is why they seem to be forever lacking in networking opportunities and are always kept aside from their male counterparts. A proper network in the field of business or rather the lack of it can certainly set two persons wide apart.
Pressure from All Sides
Time and again, the debate surfaces that a woman has to work twice as much as their male peers to attain even remotely comparable recognition, remuneration, and other perks. They must prove them constantly, which pushes them to work harder. As a result, they have no other option but to give their best every single day. Women also excel at taking criticism and feedback. They are also better at multi-tasking, listening, and observing. Such qualities combine to make these women excel at their work in several aspects.
Women Leaders in Different Sectors
It is the result of these qualities, perseverance, and passion that has established these ladies as leaders. Today, women are breaking the barriers of traditional moulds and making their names in medicine, technology, healthcare, and science. The women are now redefining the rules of the game. Better yet, they are even deciding the new rules by themselves.
The camaraderie amongst the female workforce and a commitment to supporting each other is what’s helping them emerge out as the real champions. A doctor, lawyer, scientist, teacher, entrepreneur, or any role, the ladies are here to stay and lead the game from the front. We should not be surprised if 2022 presents 30 female unicorn founders instead of the current 13, especially since we have witnessed the event once.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter what type of industry it is going to be, women leaders are going to conquer them all and they have already started to spread their wings in almost all of them. It’s just the beginning of something great and we will witness the rise of some of the greatest women entrepreneurs in the coming years. Here, one thing is for sure that the women, as they are and always have been on the receiving end of the brunt, will be coming out as more seasoned and indomitable players in the long run.
FAQ
Who is the Most Successful Woman Entrepreneur in India?
Vandana Luthra, the founder of VLCC is said to be one of the most successful woman entrepreneurs in India.
Who is the First Woman Entrepreneur in India?
Kalpana Saroj is said to be the first woman entrepreneur in India. She is the Chairperson of Kamani Tubes.
Who is the Youngest Female Entrepreneur in India?
Aditi Gupta, the founder of Menstrupedia is one of the youngest female entrepreneurs in India.
How many unicorns in India have Women Entrepreneurs?
Currently, around 13 unicorns in India have women entrepreneurs leading them.
Which Indian startup achieved its unicorn status in 2021 and is led by a woman?
OfBusiness is a startup that joined the unicorn club in 2021 and is led by a woman.
India has been the victim of patriarchy for ages and this has led to the downfall in women-specific matters. Earlier, various social taboos restricted women from studying and working. Entrepreneurship was something out of reach for them. But in recent decades, things have changed a lot.
Women have now achieved a lot. Not a single sector is being left where they are not successful with flying colours. Despite restrictions and lack of social support, women’s entrepreneurship is rising. As a result, the government has taken steps to boost women to come forward and give way to their dreams and career.
Gone are the days when lack of capital was a barrier for women to start a business. Several schemes and benefits are being introduced by big organizations for women’s development. Also, this development is heading towards the economic growth of the nation and it is an inspiration for many.
A report by TOI states that more than 1 lakh projects are running under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program since its start. Well, if you are a woman and have a top-notch business plan, you are in the right place. Read out the article below to find out which scheme suits you the best.
The State Bank of Mysore and Bharatiya Mahila Bank is offering Annapurna Scheme to women interested in starting a food catering business. This government launched scheme provides a loan of up to Rs 50,000. Further, the loan is being used as working capital to buy products such as utensils and kitchen equipment.
Moreover, a guarantor and collateral in the form of the asset are needed to avail this scheme. The best part of this scheme is that you can repay the amount within three years.
Also, women who avail of the loan get a grace period of one month before the repayment process begins. But, the interest rates depend on the market rate. The lender gets the benefit by not paying the EMI for the first month.
Udyogini Scheme
Udyogini scheme was started by Women Development Corporation to provide loans to women who want to start their small ventures. In this scheme, any woman who wants to start a business categorized under 88 small-scale industries will get a loan of up to Rs 3 lakhs.
The industries include fisheries, groceries, trailering, poultry, dairy, bakeries, etc. Apart from that, if someone starts a business in the agricultural sector, they will be provided with an interest-free loan.
Besides, the government also proposes to give up to 30% subsidy on loans to make the repayment affordable for women entrepreneurs. Moreover, the scheme also offers training to women about business planning, pricing, and feasibility. The scheme helps micro industries to grow and support underprivileged women from rural areas to earn their livelihood.
Started by various branches of SBI, this scheme is beneficial to women entrepreneurs associated with the Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) run by the state agency.
Women with majority ownership in small businesses are eligible for this program. Here, women can avail of a 0.5% concession on loans above Rs 2 lakh, and no security is needed when the loan amount is up to Rs 5 lakhs. Also, you can avail of a loan of up to Rs 50 lakhs.
Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan
The scheme, implemented by Bhartiya Mahila Bank merged with the State Bank of India. It is a boon for women who want to run their businesses in the retail sector. The scheme allows for a loan of up to Rs 20 crore for a manufacturing enterprise.
Also, a concession to the extent of 0.25% on the interest rate ranges higher starting from 10.15%. Besides, the collateral-free loan is being offered up to Rs 1 crore under CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Fund Trust For Micro and Small Enterprises) cover.
Cent Kalyani Scheme
The Cent Kalyani scheme was started by the Central Bank of India. It offers loans to women involved in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, retail trading, or any agricultural practices.
Here, a loan of up to Rs 1 crore is offered to women entrepreneurs without any collateral or guarantor. The interest rate in this scheme depends on the market rate. Additionally, it requires no processing fee and the tenure is of up to 7 years.
Mudra Yojana Scheme
The Mudra Yojana Scheme or the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) scheme was launched in 2015 by the government of India in order to help the startups and entrepreneurs in India. A “government scheme for small units” is also a great initiative for the women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs-to-be who are willing to start with small enterprises like beauty parlors, tailoring stations, tuitions etc.
With the Mudra scheme, loans worth Rs 50,000 – Rs 50 lakhs can be availed of by women. Here, they should only have to provide collateral and guarantors in case the loan amount they request is over Rs 10 lakhs. The 3 plans that are under this scheme are:
Shishu plan – This extends loans up to Rs 50,000 for new businesses.
Kishor plan – This offers individuals and businesses loans that range between Rs 50,000 and Rs 5 lakh for the enterprises that are already established.
Tarun plan – This extends loans between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh for the expansion of businesses.
Dena Shakti Scheme
Dena Shakti Scheme is one of the schemes offered by the Dena Bank, which empowers women entrepreneurs, where the women who are employed in the fields of agriculture, retail, manufacturing, are small enterprises or micro-credit organizations are hugely benefitted. The Dena Shakti Scheme offers women entrepreneurs up to Rs 20 lakhs for the women employed in the above-mentioned categories, whereas it extends loans up to Rs 50,000 in the micro-credit category.
Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme
Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme is another scheme centered on the women entrepreneurs of India. Launched under the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), this scheme offers the women entrepreneurs of the country financial aid up to Rs 10 lakhs, which they can use to set up small-scale ventures. The upgrading and modernisation of the existing products are another vertical that is greatly empowered by the Mahila Udyam Nidhi scheme. The funds received through this scheme allow the women business leaders to have a time span of 10 years within which they need to repay the funds they receive, where there is a 5-year moratorium period.
TREAD Scheme
The TREAD Scheme, expanded to Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development, is a government of India scheme that is focused on women who lack access to bank credit. Providing for business projects, conducting training and counselling sessions are some of the main focuses of the TREAD scheme. The scheme provides up to 30% of the total project cost via the government grant as per the assessment of the lending organisations, while the remaining 70% would be financed by the lending institutions themselves. The TREAD scheme offers a maximum of Rs 5 lakh per project.
With the onset of women entrepreneurship in India and its fast-rising growth, government and non-government institutions are keen on supporting them. Fund generations and capital formation is now not a barrier anymore for women who either want to start a business as their dream project or want to earn their livelihood. The economy now needs contributions from women with the belief in their talent and hard work.
If you are one of them who want to start a business at an early age as your dream career or think of supporting your family, go on to avail the benefits of the schemes and funds by several institutions.
Now no more struggling to collect funds and no more arguments with family. Your power is within you. You need to wake up and make yourself aware of the benefits that revolve around you and are meant for you.
FAQ
Which scheme is meant for women entrepreneurs?
Annapurna Scheme, Udyogini Scheme, Stree Shakti Scheme, and Cent Kalyani Scheme are some of the schemes that are boosting women entrepreneurs.
How do I become a female entrepreneur?
Becoming a female entrepreneur is not easy still in this male-dominated society. Having a clear vision, identifying market opportunities duly, learning business skills, networking, planning finances are some of the fronts that a woman entrepreneur should develop on.
Who is the most famous female entrepreneurs?
Indra Nooyi, Vandana Luthra, Falguni Nayar, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw are some of the most famous entrepreneurs in India.
Ashwini
