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Discover the top 10 successful women entrepreneurs in India. Learn about their inspiring journeys and their contributions to ecommerce, fintech, edutech and more
The past 2 decades have seen significant growth in the number of women in business, with several multi-million dollar industries run by powerful and inspiring women entrepreneurs.
While significant work must be done to bring more women to the workforce forefront, it is truly inspiring to see successful businesswomen break free from traditional gender roles and pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations.
If you’ve ever wondered how to become an entrepreneur, these top women entrepreneurs are perfect inspiration. We will break it down for you with a comprehensive list! These inspiring female entrepreneurs have paved their own paths and gained recognition through their hard work and perseverance. They
They are the perfect role model for women all around India and great motivation for them to begin their journey in financial planning.
But before this, let’s first discuss an important question: Why is it important for more women to take on leadership roles in India?
Why is Women Entrepreneurship in India important?
Famous women entrepreneurs in India play a crucial role in advancing gender equality and empowerment. Historically, women in India have faced numerous socio-cultural barriers that limit their access to education, economic opportunities, and decision-making roles.
By encouraging and supporting women in business, these barriers can be gradually dismantled, allowing women to participate more actively in the economy and society.
According to the Economist, if India rebalanced its workforce so that all capable women could work, the nation could be 27% richer.
Women entrepreneurs contribute significantly to economic growth and job creation.
India's entrepreneurial ecosystem benefits from the diversity of ideas, perspectives, and skills that women bring to the table and India can tap into the full potential of its female workforce, driving economic progress and reducing gender disparities.
Moreover, female entrepreneurs are highly crucial for promoting gender equality, driving economic growth, addressing societal challenges, and inspiring future generations of women to dream big but also to save money early and manage finances,
By empowering women to become successful entrepreneurs, India can unlock their full potential and create a more inclusive and prosperous society.
Successful Women Entrepreneurs in India
India is home to a remarkable set of female entrepreneurs who have shattered glass ceilings and achieved financial independence and extraordinary success in various fields.
From biotechnology and e-commerce to fashion and education, these top women entrepreneurs in India have made a significant impact in their respective industries, demonstrating resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to their visions.
So let’s dive in!
1) Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Company: Biocon Ltd.
Success Journey:
As the founder of Biocon Limited, a leading biopharmaceutical company in India, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is one of the most famous women entrepreneurs in India.
With a background in brewing and fermentation technology, she ventured into the field of biotechnology at a time when it was relatively unheard of in India.
Despite facing numerous challenges and initial setbacks, Kiran persevered and built Biocon from scratch. Under her leadership, the company grew to become a global player in the biopharmaceutical industry, specializing in areas such as cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.
Her unwavering commitment to innovation, research, and affordable healthcare solutions has earned her numerous accolades, including being listed among Forbes' "World's 100 Most Powerful Women" multiple times.
Her remarkable journey and entrepreneurial success have not only transformed the biotech landscape in India but have also inspired countless women to pursue careers in STEM.
2) Falguni Nayar
Company: Nykaa
Success Journey:
Falguni Nayar has been the talk of the town as she debuted on the Forbes India Rich List 2022 at rank 44 for her fortune of over $4 billion.
Nayar’s success story started in 2012 when she founded Nykaa, India’s biggest e-commerce platform for all things beauty, fashion and wellness related.
A graduate of IIM Ahmedabad, Nayar had a vision to transform the beauty shopping experience in India by creating a one-stop destination for beauty products, expert advice, and personalized recommendations.
Under her leadership, Nykaa has become a household name that constantly evolves for the modern Indian woman.
Falguni's entrepreneurial journey is an embodiment of perseverance, adaptability, and a deep understanding of customer preferences, making her an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs across the country.
3) Shradha Sharma
Company: YourStory Media
Success Journey:
Starting her career as a journalist for CNBC TV18, Shradha Sharma has emerged as a prominent figure in India's startup ecosystem with her media company, YourStory.
Her Bengaluru-based startup was launched with just ₹2 lakh as seed capital and later received funding from giants like Ratan Tata and the University of California, Berkeley, Kalaari Capital, Qualcomm Ventures, 3one4 Capital, and TV Mohandas Pai.
Her journey began with a vision to provide a platform for budding entrepreneurs to share their stories and inspire others.
With sheer determination, Shradha established YourStory as a leading media and technology company that highlights the journeys of startups and entrepreneurs, offering valuable insights, resources, and networking opportunities.
Through her pursuit of stories that matter, she has created a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures innovation and fosters collaboration.
4) Upasana Taku
Company: MobiKwik
Success Journey:
With a background in software engineering and product management, Upasana recognised the potential of mobile technology in transforming the way people make payments in India.
Along with her co-founder, Bipin Preet Singh, she founded MobiKwik in 2009 with a mission to simplify and digitize financial transactions for millions of Indians. Under her leadership, MobiKwik grew exponentially, becoming a trusted platform for secure and convenient digital payments.
Upasana's strategic vision, technical expertise, and commitment to financial inclusion have played a pivotal role in driving MobiKwik's success and making it one of India's most widely used mobile payment platforms.
As the first female leader in Indian FinTech, Upasana Taku has paved the path for more women entrepreneurs to explore the world of finance and technology and has also inspired more women to manage their own finances.
5) Sneha Choudhry
Company: Zolo
Success Journey:
Finding affordable, high-quality, and safe accommodation options for students and professionals in India can be challenging. Sneha Choudary identified this pain point and turned it into an opportunity.
Together with her business partners, Dr Nikhil Sikri and Akhil Sikri, she created ZoloStays—a platform that offers fully-managed, long-term, affordable stay options that are hassle-free and easy to book.
ZoloStays has revolutionized accommodation in India for young people and has achieved remarkable success, evolving into a million-dollar business within just nine years.
6) Divya Gokulnath
Company: BYJU'S
Success Journey:
Alongside her husband Byju Raveendran, Divya Gokulnath co-founded BYJU'S, India's leading ed-tech company and has become one of India’s richest female entrepreneurs.
With a strong belief in the power of education and technology, Divya and Byju set out to transform the traditional learning methods in India. Together, they developed a revolutionary learning app that offers engaging and personalized online learning experiences to students of all ages.
Divya's vision and relentless efforts have propelled BYJU'S to become a global education technology powerhouse, catering to millions of students and revolutionizing the way education is imparted.
Her commitment to providing accessible and effective learning solutions has earned BYJU'S international recognition and a substantial user base.
7) Richa Kar
Company: Zivame
Success Journey:
Starting her journey as an engineer from BITS Pilani, Richa Kar has now established herself as one of India’s richest female entrepreneurs with Zivame, a groundbreaking online & offline lingerie brand.
By recognizing the need for a platform that offers women a comfortable and discreet way to shop for lingerie, Richa embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2011 and has now created a booming brand with stores in 30+ locations across India.
Through ZIvame, Richa has successfully disrupted traditional lingerie shopping norms and created a space where women can explore and embrace their body confidence.
Richa's relentless pursuit of innovation and commitment to empowering women with a wide range of lingerie choices have firmly established Zivame as a market leader in e-commerce.
8) Vandana Luthra
Company: VLCC
Success Journey:
Vandana’s entrepreneurial journey started all the way in the 1980s when she established the first VLCC centre in New Delhi, making her one of the first female Indian entrepreneurs.
Over the years, VLCC has become a comprehensive wellness brand that encompasses fitness, beauty, and nutrition and has gained a mass following across South Asia, South East Asia, the GCC region and East Africa.
Due to the success of her company, Vandana was ranked no. 26 in the Forbes 2016 Asia List of 50 Powerful Businesswomen. Vandana has not only transformed the perception of beauty but has also empowered people to prioritize self-care and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
9) Swati Bhargava
Company: CashKaro
Success Journey:
Swati Bhargava, the co-founder of CashKaro, has made significant contributions to the e-commerce and cashback industry in India.
Inspired by the money they were able to save through a cashback website while booking their honeymoon tickets, Swati and her husband decided to build a similar platform for India in 2013.
Their innovative platform allows users to earn cashback on their online purchases from a wide range of partnered retailers. Using CashKaro is one of the best money-saving tips for women and men alike as it helps maximise savings.
Through Swati's visionary leadership, CashKaro has grown into India's largest cashback and coupon site, helping millions of users save money while shopping online.
10) Radhika Ghai Aggarwal
Company: ShopClues & Kindlife
Success Journey:
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal is a trailblazing woman entrepreneur that has had many successful ventures in the past few years that have earned her the title of being one of the top 10 women entrepreneurs in India.
Her most popular establishment is ShopClues, a pioneering online marketplace that caters to the diverse needs of Indian consumers. Launched in 2011, the company started with a team of 10 and gradually increased its workforce and clientele.
Currently valued at $1.1 billion, ShopClues is one of the most successful home-grown online marketplaces in India.
Radhika also established Kindlife in 2021, an online marketplace for organic goods that is picking up good tractions, a pioneering online marketplace that caters to the diverse needs of Indian consumers.
Takeaways
Women entrepreneurs in India hold tremendous significance and offer a multitude of benefits for society as a whole. By empowering women to become entrepreneurs, we can break down gender barriers, promote gender equality, and foster women's economic empowerment.
Successful businesswomen contribute to economic growth, job creation, and innovation while addressing specific societal challenges and catering to the unique needs of women consumers.
The success stories of women entrepreneurs in India, such as Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Falguni Nayar, and many others, demonstrate the transformative power of women's entrepreneurial spirit.
As parents its important that you start planning early and create the perfect foundations by making solid investments for your girl child.
By providing support, resources, and opportunities for women to thrive in the business world, we can create a more inclusive, prosperous, and gender-equal society for all.
