Over the past two decades, India has witnessed a remarkable rise in women entrepreneurs who have excelled in various industries like ecommerce, fintech, edutech, and more. These women have not only shattered glass ceilings but have also significantly contributed to the country’s economy and society.
The increasing presence of successful women in business is a testament to the changing landscape of gender roles in India. Despite the progress, there is still a need for more women to step into leadership roles. These women entrepreneurs serve as inspiring examples for others, showcasing the possibilities and opportunities available to those who dare to dream and work hard.
Let’s take a closer look at ten of the most successful women entrepreneurs in India, highlighting their inspiring journeys and the impact they have made in their respective fields.
Why is Women Entrepreneurship in India important?
Women entrepreneurs in India play a vital role in advancing gender equality and empowerment. Throughout history, Indian women have faced numerous socio-cultural barriers that limit their access to education, economic opportunities, and leadership roles.
Encouraging and supporting women in business can help dismantle these barriers, allowing women to participate more actively in the economy and society.
According to the Economist, if India were to rebalance its workforce so that all capable women could work, the nation could potentially become 27% richer.
Women entrepreneurs make significant contributions to economic growth and job creation. India’s entrepreneurial landscape benefits greatly from the diversity of ideas, perspectives, and skills that women bring to the table.
By fully utilizing the potential of its female workforce, India can drive economic progress and reduce gender disparities.
Additionally, female entrepreneurs play a crucial role in promoting gender equality, driving economic growth, tackling societal challenges, and inspiring future generations of women to aspire for greatness.
Empowering women to become successful entrepreneurs can unlock their full potential and contribute to creating a more inclusive and prosperous society.
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Successful Women Entrepreneurs in India
India boasts an exceptional group of female entrepreneurs who have broken barriers, attaining financial independence and remarkable success across diverse sectors.
These pioneering women have excelled in fields ranging from biotechnology and e-commerce to fashion and education, leaving a lasting mark on their industries. Their stories highlight resilience, innovation, and a steadfast dedication to their goals.
Let’s explore their inspiring journeys!
Company: Biocon Ltd.
Success Journey:
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the founder of Biocon Limited, has emerged as a prominent figure in India’s biopharmaceutical sector. With a background in brewing and fermentation technology, she entered the field of biotechnology at a time when it was relatively unknown in India. Despite facing numerous challenges and initial setbacks, Kiran persisted and established Biocon from the ground up. Under her guidance, the company has grown into a global leader in biopharmaceuticals, focusing on areas such as cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.
Kiran’s dedication to innovation, research, and accessible healthcare solutions has garnered her widespread recognition, including multiple appearances on Forbes’ “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” list. Her journey and entrepreneurial achievements have not only revolutionized the biotech industry in India but have also served as an inspiration for numerous women pursuing careers in STEM fields.
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Company: Nykaa
Success Journey:
Nykaa’s rise to success is highlighted by Falguni Nayar’s entry onto the Forbes India Rich List 2022 at the impressive 44th rank, boasting a fortune exceeding $4 billion.
In 2012, Nayar founded Nykaa, India’s premier e-commerce platform offering a wide array of beauty, fashion, and wellness products.
A graduate of IIM Ahmedabad, Nayar’s vision was to revolutionize the beauty shopping experience in India, creating a comprehensive destination for beauty products, expert advice, and personalized recommendations.
Under her guidance, Nykaa has become a household name, continually evolving to meet the needs of the modern Indian woman.
Nayar’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to her perseverance, adaptability, and keen understanding of customer preferences, serving as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs nationwide.
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Company: YourStory Media
Success Journey:
Shradha Sharma kickstarted her professional voyage as a journalist at CNBC TV18. From those early days, she’s steered herself into a significant role within India’s startup landscape through her brainchild, YourStory.
The genesis of her Bengaluru-based venture was humble, with a mere ₹2 lakh as seed capital. Yet, with backing from industry stalwarts like Ratan Tata and institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, as well as investments from Kalaari Capital, Qualcomm Ventures, 3one4 Capital, and TV Mohandas Pai, YourStory soared.
Her odyssey commenced with a vision: to furnish a platform for fledgling entrepreneurs to narrate their tales and ignite inspiration. Driven by unwavering resolve, Shradha transformed YourStory into a premier media-tech entity. It’s a hub spotlighting the odysseys of startups and visionaries, offering invaluable insights, resources, and networking avenues.
Through her relentless pursuit of impactful narratives, she’s cultivated a dynamic ecosystem fostering innovation and collaboration.
Company: MobiKwik
Success Journey:
Armed with a background in software engineering and product management, Upasana identified the transformative potential of mobile technology in revolutionizing payment methods in India.
In collaboration with her co-founder, Bipin Preet Singh, she established MobiKwik in 2009, aiming to streamline and digitize financial transactions for the Indian populace. Under her guidance, MobiKwik experienced rapid growth, evolving into a reliable platform for safe and seamless digital payments.
Upasana’s strategic foresight, technical acumen, and dedication to financial inclusivity have been instrumental in propelling MobiKwik’s rise, establishing it as one of India’s most prominent mobile payment solutions.
As a trailblazer and the first female leader in Indian FinTech, Upasana Taku has not only set new standards but has also inspired a new wave of women entrepreneurs to venture into the realms of finance and technology, encouraging women to take charge of their financial futures.
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Company: Zolo
Success Story:
In India, finding safe, high-quality, and affordable accommodation for students and professionals can be quite a challenge. Recognizing this need, Sneha Choudary saw an opportunity.
Together with her partners, Dr. Nikhil Sikri and Akhil Sikri, she founded ZoloStays—a platform that provides fully-managed, affordable long-term stay options that are convenient and easy to book.
ZoloStays has transformed the accommodation landscape for India’s youth and has achieved remarkable success, growing into a million-dollar business in just nine years.
Company: BYJU’S
Success Journey:
Together with her husband Byju Raveendran, Divya Gokulnath co-founded BYJU’S, India’s premier ed-tech firm, establishing herself as one of the nation’s wealthiest female entrepreneurs.
Driven by a strong conviction in the transformative power of education and technology, Divya and Byju aimed to revolutionize traditional learning methods in India. They created an innovative learning app that provides engaging and tailored online learning experiences for students of all ages.
Divya’s vision and tireless efforts have elevated BYJU’S to the status of a global education technology leader, serving millions of students and transforming educational delivery.
Her dedication to offering accessible and effective learning solutions has garnered BYJU’S international acclaim and a vast user base. The company has achieved extraordinary success, growing into a multimillion-dollar enterprise within just nine years.
Company: Zivame
Success Journey:
Starting her career as an engineer from BITS Pilani, Richa Kar has emerged as one of India’s wealthiest female entrepreneurs, founding Zivame, an innovative online and offline lingerie brand.
Understanding the need for a comfortable and private shopping experience for women’s lingerie, Richa began her entrepreneurial venture in 2011. She has since grown Zivame into a thriving brand with over 30 stores across India.
Through Zivame, Richa has revolutionized traditional lingerie shopping, creating a space where women can confidently explore and embrace their bodies.
Richa’s unwavering dedication to innovation and her mission to empower women with diverse lingerie options have firmly positioned Zivame as a leader in the e-commerce market.
Company: VLCC
Success Journey:
Vandana’s entrepreneurial adventure began in the 1980s when she launched the first VLCC center in New Delhi, marking her as one of the pioneering female entrepreneurs in India.
Over the years, VLCC has evolved into a holistic wellness brand encompassing fitness, beauty, and nutrition, earning a large following across South Asia, Southeast Asia, the GCC region, and East Africa.
Owing to her company’s success, Vandana was ranked 26th on Forbes’ 2016 Asia List of 50 Powerful Businesswomen. Vandana has not only redefined beauty standards but also empowered individuals to prioritize self-care and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Company: CashKaro
Success Journey:
Swati Bhargava, co-founder of CashKaro, has revolutionized the e-commerce and cashback sector in India.
Inspired by the savings they achieved through a cashback site while booking their honeymoon tickets, Swati and her husband decided to create a similar platform for India in 2013.
Their groundbreaking platform enables users to earn cashback on online purchases from numerous partnered retailers. Utilizing CashKaro is an excellent money-saving strategy for both women and men, as it maximizes savings.
Under Swati’s visionary leadership, CashKaro has expanded into India’s leading cashback and coupon site, assisting millions of users in saving money on their online shopping.
Company: ShopClues & Kindlife
Success Journey:
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal stands out as a trailblazing woman entrepreneur with numerous successful ventures over the past few years, earning her a spot among the top 10 women entrepreneurs in India.
Her most notable venture is ShopClues, an innovative online marketplace that meets the diverse needs of Indian consumers. Founded in 2011, the company began with a team of 10 and has steadily expanded its workforce and customer base.
Today, ShopClues is valued at $1.1 billion, making it one of India’s most successful home-grown online marketplaces.
In 2021, Radhika launched Kindlife, an online marketplace for organic goods that is gaining significant traction. Like ShopClues, Kindlife addresses the varied needs of Indian consumers with its unique offerings.
Takeaways
Women entrepreneurs in India play a crucial role and offer numerous advantages to society. By empowering women to become entrepreneurs, we can dismantle gender barriers, promote gender equality, and support women’s economic empowerment.
Successful businesswomen drive economic growth, create jobs, and fuel innovation, while also addressing societal challenges and catering to the unique needs of female consumers.
The success stories of Indian women entrepreneurs, such as Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Falguni Nayar, and many others, showcase the transformative impact of women’s entrepreneurial spirit.
As parents, it’s essential to start planning early and build a solid foundation by making wise investments for your girl child.
By providing support, resources, and opportunities for women to succeed in the business world, we can create a more inclusive, prosperous, and gender-equal society for everyone.