10 inspiring self-made women entrepreneurs in india

12/05/25

Bal Raksha Bharat Blogs

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Women-led ventures in India occupy a space that has taken shape incrementally over the past few decades. Female entrepreneurs in India form a diverse group, yet their stories share the theme of forging new models. Female entrepreneurs became points of reference for younger professionals, demonstrating what can happen when internal conviction aligns with changing societal attitudes.

Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs In India

1. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw founded Biocon, gradually developing it into a respected biotechnology company. Drawing on a background in fermentation, she focused on enzyme production and pharmaceutical research. The company grew through strategic partnerships and product innovation, maintaining a steady trajectory. Her work contributed to building credibility for Indian biotech on the global stage and created a benchmark for female entrepreneurs in India.

2. Falguni Nayar

Falguni Nayar started Nykaa to offer personal care products online, targeting evolving consumer habits. The platform grew through curated offerings, reliable delivery, and expanded physical presence. Focused investment in technology and logistics enabled steady growth. As one of many women entrepreneurs in India, her approach was methodical, aligning e-commerce trends with changing retail preferences among urban and semi-urban customers.

3. Vani Kola

Vani Kola founded Kalaari Capital to support early-stage startups in India. Her background in the US tech sector informed a measured approach to venture funding. She backed a range of digital and consumer businesses, emphasising sustainability and strategy. Her focus on patient capital shaped her role in the venture ecosystem, building interest in the career paths of business women in India.

4. Richa Kar

Richa Kar launched Zivame to address gaps in the lingerie market. Initially focused on discreet online shopping, the platform gradually normalized conversations around intimate wear. Customer education and return policies supported adoption. Her model expanded from niche to mainstream, aligning with broader shifts in consumer comfort with online retail.

Read Also: Significance of Girl Child Rights in Modern Society

5. Suchi Mukherjee

Suchi Mukherjee founded Limeroad, combining fashion e-commerce with social discovery. The platform invited users to engage through personal style boards. Operational focus on supply chains and user experience supported gradual scaling. The venture built visibility through collaborations and aimed to differentiate itself through curated selections and community-driven content.

6. Radhika Ghai Aggarwal

Radhika Ghai Aggarwal co-founded ShopClues, targeting budget-conscious consumers with a value-led marketplace. The platform offered a wide range of goods and grew through aggressive pricing and marketing. Its expansion relied on funding and category diversification. She carved a space among the top 10 female entrepreneurs in India with her contribution to building inclusive e-commerce ecosystems

7. Aditi Gupta

Aditi Gupta co-created Menstrupedia to improve awareness about menstruation and health education. Starting with a comic book format, the platform expanded through schools and NGOs. The content was designed to be clear, relatable, and culturally appropriate. Her initiative encouraged informed conversations while demonstrating a sustainable approach to social impact communication.

8. Ghazal Alagh

Ghazal Alagh co-founded Honasa, initially addressing parents seeking natural products for children. The brand grew to include personal care for adults, driven by concerns over ingredients and safety. Messaging emphasized gentle formulations. Investor interest and retail expansion supported scaling efforts, positioning the company within India’s evolving health-conscious consumer landscape.

9. Shradha Sharma

Shradha Sharma founded YourStory to document startup journeys and entrepreneurial news. Drawing on journalism experience, she developed a media platform with interviews, features, and commentary. Over time, it became a hub for ecosystem insights and founder narratives. Her focus remained on amplifying voices often overlooked in mainstream business coverage. She is widely recognized as one of the top 10 female entrepreneurs in India, especially in the media-tech space

10. Upasana Taku

Upasana Taku co-founded MobiKwik, offering digital payment tools like wallets and lending services. As mobile use increased, the platform expanded steadily, requiring secure infrastructure and bank partnerships. Her work focused on scaling operations and improving access to digital finance. The company responded to rising demand for cashless transactions across sectors.

Child Protection NGO Bal Raksha Bharat supports girls on their paths to economic independence through quiet, steady interventions that focus on what is immediately possible. Rather than aiming for rapid transformation, the organisation prioritises foundational steps—basic skills, financial literacy, and exposure to structured opportunities. These are introduced slowly, with attention to the everyday realities the girls face.

Another insight lies in how the organisation frames the sense of agency. Rather than encouraging girls to “dream big” in abstract terms, the focus is on helping them make tangible choices—when to attend a workshop, how to negotiate for study time at home, or whether to save a portion of their earnings. These seemingly minor decisions lay the groundwork for more durable forms of confidence and autonomy.

Noting that economic change often follows social permission, the NGO team also works with parents, community leaders, and peer groups to shift what is seen as acceptable, building consensus and goodwill in communities where it implements its programmes like child education donation, NGO corporate partnerships, etc.

Anikait Suri