India has witnessed a significant shift in the entrepreneurial landscape in recent years, with an increasing number of women breaking gender barriers to become successful entrepreneurs. Despite facing numerous challenges such as social norms, cultural biases, and limited access to resources, women in India are making their mark in various sectors of the economy. The rise of women entrepreneurs in India is a remarkable development, and their success stories are inspiring many others to follow in their footsteps. In this blog, the team at Swadeh take a closer look at the current state of women entrepreneurship in India and highlight some successful women entrepreneurs,
Aditi Gupta
Aditi Gupta is the co-founder of Menstrupedia, a startup that aims to educate women and girls about menstrual hygiene. Aditi's journey began when she discovered the lack of information and education about menstruation in India. She and her husband Tuhin founded Menstrupedia in 2012, which now has a wide reach and impact in India and abroad. Aditi's efforts have earned her recognition and awards, including Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2016 and the Women Transforming India award in 2018.
Suchi Mukherjee
Suchi Mukherjee is the founder and CEO of Limeroad, an online shopping platform that focuses on women's fashion and lifestyle products. Suchi has an impressive background, having worked with prestigious companies such as McKinsey & Company and eBay before starting Limeroad in 2012. Today, Limeroad has a strong presence in India and has won several awards for its innovative approach to e-commerce.
Falguni Nayar
Falguni Nayar is the founder and CEO of Nykaa, an online beauty and wellness retailer. Falguni's entrepreneurial journey began after a long and successful career in investment banking. In 2012, she founded Nykaa, which has become a go-to destination for beauty products in India. Nykaa's success has earned Falguni several awards, including the Economic Times' Businesswoman of the Year award in 2017.
Upasana Taku
Upasana Taku is the co-founder of MobiKwik, a digital wallet and payment gateway. Upasana's entrepreneurial journey began in Silicon Valley, where she worked as a software engineer for several years. In 2009, she and her husband founded MobiKwik, which has become one of the leading digital payment platforms in India. Upasana's efforts have earned her recognition, including the Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2016.
Shradha Sharma
Shradha Sharma is the founder and CEO of YourStory, a media platform that covers stories of startups and entrepreneurs in India. Shradha's journey began as a journalist, where she realized the need for a platform to showcase the stories of entrepreneurs in India. In 2008, she founded YourStory, which has become a leading media platform for startups and entrepreneurs. Shradha's efforts have earned her recognition and awards, including the L'Oreal Paris Femina Award for Online Influence in 2015.
In conclusion, the entrepreneurial journey for women in India is not an easy one, but it is certainly a rewarding one. The rise of women entrepreneurs in India is a significant step towards achieving gender equality and creating a more inclusive economy. Women entrepreneurs are not only creating jobs, but they are also bringing new and innovative ideas to the market, contributing to the overall economic growth of the country. It is crucial to support and encourage more women to become entrepreneurs, and this can be achieved by creating an enabling environment, providing access to capital, mentorship, and networking opportunities. By doing so, we can unleash the full potential of women entrepreneurship in India and create a brighter future for all.