Women entrepreneurs in India have been making significant strides in recent years. Despite facing numerous challenges, including societal and cultural barriers, women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles in business. According to a report by Bain & Company, women-led businesses in India have grown at a rate of 18% per year over the past decade. The Indian government has also launched various initiatives to support women entrepreneurs, including providing funding and training programs. With increasing opportunities and support, the future looks bright for women entrepreneurs in India.
Top 10 women entrepreneurs in India
India is home to a growing number of women entrepreneurs who are making their mark in various fields. These women have broken through barriers and proven that gender is not a hurdle in achieving success. Here are ten of the top women entrepreneurs in India, who have made a name for themselves in their respective industries.
- Vandana Luthra: Founder of VLCC
Vandana Luthra is an Indian entrepreneur and the founder of VLCC, a beauty and wellness company with a presence in over 20 countries. She started the company in 1989 with a single beauty and slimming centre in New Delhi and has since expanded it into a global brand. Luthra has been recognized with numerous awards for her contributions to the beauty and wellness industry and is also involved in various philanthropic initiatives. - Kiran Mazumdar Shaw: Founder and CEO of Biocon Limited
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is a prominent Indian entrepreneur and the founder of Biocon Limited, one of India’s largest biotech companies. Born in 1953, she obtained a degree in zoology and worked briefly as a brewer before starting Biocon in 1978. Over the years, Shaw has transformed Biocon from a small industrial enzyme manufacturer into a diversified biopharmaceutical company that produces drugs for various medical conditions. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to the biotech industry and is a role model for women entrepreneurs in India. - Priya Paul: Chairwoman of The Park Hotel
Priya Paul is an Indian businesswoman and the chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, which operates luxury hotels in India and abroad. She is known for her innovative approach to hospitality and has been recognised with several awards for her contributions to the industry. Paul is also an active philanthropist and supports various social causes. - Ritu Kumar, the fashion designer
Ritu Kumar is a renowned Indian fashion designer known for her exquisite traditional and fusion wear designs. She started her career in the 1960s and has since become a household name in India’s fashion industry. Kumar’s designs reflect India’s rich textile heritage, incorporating hand-woven fabrics, intricate embroidery, and vibrant prints. She has received several awards for her contributions to the fashion industry and has also been actively involved in reviving India’s dying textile traditions. - Suchi Mukherjee, the CEO and Founder of Limeroad
Suchi Mukherjee is an Indian entrepreneur and the founder of Limeroad, an online shopping platform for women’s fashion and lifestyle products. With a background in fashion and technology, Mukherjee started Limeroad in 2012, and it has since become one of India’s leading e-commerce websites. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to the startup ecosystem in India and is regarded as a trailblazer for women entrepreneurs in the country. - Indra Nooyi, Amazon Board Member
Indra Nooyi is an Indian-American business executive and former CEO of PepsiCo, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies. She joined PepsiCo in 1994 and served in various leadership positions before becoming CEO in 2006, a position she held until 2018. Nooyi is known for her visionary leadership and strategic insights that helped transform PepsiCo into a more sustainable and socially responsible company. She has received numerous awards for her achievements in business and leadership, including being named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. - Aditi Gupta, co-founder of Menstrupedia
Aditi Gupta is an Indian social entrepreneur and menstrual health activist. She is the co-founder of Menstrupedia, an online platform that provides information and resources to girls and women about menstruation, reproductive health, and hygiene. Gupta’s work has helped break down the stigma surrounding menstruation in India and promote menstrual health awareness. She has been recognized with several awards for her contributions to women’s health and education, including being named one of Forbes Asia’s 30 under 30 in 2016. - Falguni Nayar, Nykaa’s co-founder
Falguni Nayar is an Indian entrepreneur and the founder of Nykaa, one of India’s largest online beauty retailers. She started Nykaa in 2012 to create a one-stop shop for all beauty and wellness needs, and the company has since become a household name in India’s e-commerce industry. Nayar’s entrepreneurial journey has been recognized with several awards, including being named one of Fortune India’s most powerful women in business. She is also a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and gender equality. - Vani Kola, founder of Kalaari Capital
Vani Kola is the founder and managing director of Kalaari Capital, a leading early-stage venture capital firm in India. With over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, Kola has played a key role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in India’s startup ecosystem. She has invested in several successful companies, including Dream11, Cure fit, and Urban Ladder. Kola is also an advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and she has been recognized for her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. - Radhika Ghai, Shopclues.com Co-founder
Radhika Ghai is an Indian entrepreneur and the co-founder of ShopClues, one of India’s largest online marketplaces. She started ShopClues in 2011, and the company has since become a major player in India’s e-commerce industry. Ghai’s entrepreneurial journey has been recognized with several awards, including being named one of Fortune India’s most powerful women in business.
Some Other women entrepreneurs in India
Some other successful women entrepreneurs in India are:
- Malini Agarwal – Founder and creative director of Miss Malini’s media.
- Mehak Sagar – Co-founder of WedMeGood
- Khushboo Jain – Co-founder and COO of Impactguru.com
- Neha Motwani – Co-founder and CEO of Fitternity
- Priyanshi Choubey – Co-founder of Instacar
- Richa Singh – Co-founder of YourDOST
- Shahnac Hussain – CEO of Shahnaz Herbals
- Shivani Bhatia – Founder of clothing rental and Terra Inde
- Shradha Sharma – Founder and CEO of Yourstory Media Pvt.Ltd
- Shreya Lamba – Co-founder of The Mumum Co.
- Farah Nathani Menzies – Co-founder of The Mumum Co.
- Upasana Taku – Co-founder of Mobikwik
- Sayli Karnjkar – Co-founder of Paysense
- Meghna Agarwal – Co-founder of Indiqube
- Naiyya Saggi – Founder of BabyChakra
- Richa Kar – Co-founder and Ex-CEO of Zivame
- Sanna Vohra – Founder and CEO of The Wedding Brigade
- shubhra Chadda – Co-founder of Chumbak
- Suchita Salwan – Founder and CEO of Little Black Book
Conclusion
Young women can draw inspiration from these positive role models. Some of India’s most successful women in India entrepreneurs who are examples of the strength of creativity and ingenuity are among the women highlighted in this post. The ability to succeed is not affected by a person’s gender. Many women pursue the entrepreneurial dream and build successful businesses as the Indian startup ecosystem develops, empowering other Indian women to think independently.
