Traditionally, entrepreneurship in India was dominated by males. But with women breaking societal norms, we can witness a surge in female entrepreneurship. From tech to fashion, beauty, and social enterprises, Indian women are proving that innovation knows no gender.
Let’s explore some of the courageous female entrepreneurs of India who are dominating this industry with their resilience and creativity.
KIRAN MAZUMDAR – FOUNDER OF BIOCON LIMITED
Kiran Mazumdar is one of India’s most notable female entrepreneurs. She founded one of India’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, Biocon Limited, which is based in Bengaluru.
After facing rejection from Indian breweries, Kiran decided to carve her own path. With an investment of 10,000 and a rented garage, Kiran partnered with Leslie Auchincloss of Biocon Biochemicals, Ireland and founded Biocon India (A company determined to produce industrial enzymes such as isinglass and papain).
Under Kiran’s leadership Bicon has evolved from a small enterprise facing funding challenges to a global biopharmaceutical enterprise. Today the products of Biocon reach over 120 countries and it also partners with global giants like Sandoz and Viatris.
FALGUNI NAYAR – FOUNDER OF NYKAA
Falguni Nayar is an IIM graduate who started her professional journey with A.F. Ferguson & Co. and later joined Kotak Mahindra Bank.
During her 19 years of corporate career, she built a reputation as one of India’s top investment bankers. In 2012, at the age of 49, Falguni started afresh and founded Nykaa, an e-commerce platform for cosmetics and personal care, curating authentic products from global and Indian brands.
In no time, Nykaa expanded from beauty to fashion, wellness, and lifestyle, launching verticals like Nykaa Fashion and Nykaa Man under Falguni’s guidance.
Nykaa made a historic debut on the Indian stock market in the year 2021, making Falguni Nayar India’s richest self-made woman. She was also awarded with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award (2021).
RADHIKA AGARWAL – CO-FOUNDER OF SHOPCLUES
Shopclues, which is one of India’s earliest and most successful online marketplace was co-founded by Radikha Agarwal, along with Sandeep Agarwal and Sanjay Sethi, in the year 2011. Unlike other e-commerce enterprises that focused on branded products, shopclues targeted budget friendly products for tier-2 and tier-3 cities. It connected millions of sellers to buyers, offering fashion to home decor, kitchen utensils to electronics.
In 2016, Shopclues valued at over 1 billion, achieved unicorn status under Radhika’s guidance. She got featured in Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women in Business symbolising the rise of women in India’s tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
CHETNA GALA SINHA – FOUNDER OF MANN DESHI BANK
Chetna Gala Sinha is a renowned social entrepreneur and banker, she is the founder of India’s first bank for and by rural women named Mann Deshi Bank.
After marrying Vijay Sinha, a farmer from Mhaswad (a drought-prone village), she witnessed the financial struggles of the rural women and decided to work for their economic empowerment. After getting denied by the RBI for a licence due to lack of literacy among the women, she trained the women and reapplied and finally, established the Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari Bank in Mhaswad. Today, the bank has over 10,000 account holders and has distributed thousands of microloans to farmers, women entrepreneurs and traders.
UPASANA TAKU – CO-FOUNDER OF MOBIKWIK
After completing a Master’s in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University, USA, Upasana worked with HSBC and PayPal. In 2009, she returned to India and built a vision to simplify digital payments for everyday Indians. She co-founded MobiKwik in 2010 along with her husband Bipin Preet Singh.
MobiKwik started as a mobile wallet that allows users to recharge phones, pay bills, and make online transactions easily, and in no time it expanded into a platform that offers peer-to-peer money transfers, buy now-pay later (BNPL) services, insurance, investments, and credit options as well. Today it partners with 3 million merchants across the country and has over 120 million users. Under Upasana’s leadership, MobiKwik has reached unicorn status ( valued at over 1 billion).
ADITI GUPTA – FOUNDER OF MENSTRUPEDIA
While working on a research project, Aditi realized how deeply misinformation spread by society about menstruation affects girls’ health and confidence. To address this issue, Aditi Gupta and her husband Tuhin Paul co-founded Menstrupedia in 2012. It is a digital platform to educate children and communities about menstruation, hygiene, and puberty by using comic books, illustrations, and storytelling
They also collaborated with NGOs, schools and organizations like WaterAid, Save the Children, and UNICEF to conduct awareness workshops.
Her works earned her recognition in BBC’s 100 women and Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 (2014).
VANI KOLA – KALAARI CAPITAL
With a desire to contribute to India’s growing startup ecosystem, Vani co- founded Indo-US Venture Partners. Later in 2012 , it was rebranded as Kalaari Capital. It focuses on nurturing Indian entrepreneurs on early stage investments in technology-driven startups by helping them expand globally through mentorship, financial backing and strategy.
She has been featured in Forbes India’s Top 40 Powerful Women in Business and is also known as the ‘Mother of Venture Capital in India’.
VINEETA SINGH – FOUNDER OF SUGAR COSMETICS
Vineeta Singh launched Sugar cosmetics in 2015, with a mission to offer high quality, cruelty-free products, tailored for Indian skin tone and climate.
The brand gained quick popularity for its long lasting formulation symbolising confidence and grit. From digital platforms to 45000 retail outlets across India, Sugar cosmetics has come a long way under Vineeta’s leadership. She has redefined the beauty of Indian women.
SUCHI MUKHERJEE – FOUNDER OF LIMEROAD
While working aboard, Suchi recognised the lack of affordable stylish products for women online in India. Driven by the urge to make fashion accessible and affordable for Indian women, Suchi launched Limeroad in 2012.
A platform allowing users to shop and explore unique styles of clothing from a wide range of sellers and brands.
Through this platform, Suchi empowered Indian women to express themselves through fashion and in no time it became one of India’s top fashion startups. She received several awards including NDTV Unicorn Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.
MALIKA SADANI – FOUNDER OF THE MOMS Co.
Malika faced difficulties in finding safe and natural products for her newborn baby. This personal challenge made her realise the gap in the Indian market for natural, safe, fragrance free, affordable products for mothers and babies.
With the vision ‘Nature in, Toxins out’,she decided to give birth to a brand where mothers can blindly trust the products. Moms co gained popularity and built a strong digital presence because of its honest toxin free formulation made with organic ingredients and in no time it became one of India’s fastest-growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. Malika Sadani is recognized as one of India’s Top Women Entrepreneurs.
RICHA KAR – FOUNDER OF ZIVAME
With a vision to challenge societal taboo and provide comfort and confidence to Indian womens, Richa kar launched Zivame in 2011.
Zivame offered a wide range of shapewear, bras, panties and sleepwear, tailored to fit and enhance different body types.
Under the leadership of Richa, Zivame became India’s first and leading online lingerie and intimate wear brand. By giving birth to Zivame, Richa not only turned herself as one of the most pioneering Indian entrepreneurs but also offered comfort to Indian women.
