This article talks about some of the most successful women entrepreneurs in India and how they are an inspiration to a new generation of budding entrepreneurs.
Gone are the days when women were stereotyped to be subtle, soft, to cook, to take care of children, to dress up in a certain way, to be dependent, to be submissive, and to choose only few professions.
Today, the women of our country have come a long way from just being a homemaker.
From heading global businesses to starting the most innovative startups, women have made their mark.
Their journey to the hall of fame hasn’t been easy for these women and they have fought against all the odds and proved everyone wrong who have doubted their entrepreneurial abilities.
Interesting Statistics of Women Entrepreneurship in India:
About 57% of women started their business alone.
About 58% of women entrepreneurs in India started their business between the ages of 20 –30.
About 71% of women entrepreneurs employ 5 or less people.
Here is the list of 10 most successful women entrepreneurs in india –
1 Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
Founder – Biocon.
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw was born and brought up in Bangalore. She completed her bachelor’s in zoology from Mount Caramel College, Bangalore. She later did her master’s in Malting and Brewing from Ballarat College, Melbourne University.
She founded Biocon India in 1978. It was a joint venture with Biocon Biochemicals Limited of Cork, Ireland. In the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey, she had to overcome obstacles like shortage of funds and inexperienced workers. Today, Biocon is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the country.
Apart from this, she was also awarded Padma Shri in 1989 and Padma Bhushan in 2005 by the Government of India.
2. Indu Jain
Chairman – Bennet, Coleman and Co. Ltd.
Indu Jain was born in Faizabad. She is the current chairperson of Bennet, Coleman and Co. Ltd., which owns the Times of India and other large newspapers. They are best known for their popular newspaper The Time of India, The Economic Times and the TV news channel Times Now. Under her leadership, the Times group has achieved a lot. She is also a spiritualist, humanist, entrepreneur and an educationalist.
Mrs. Indu Jain was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2016 by the Government of India.
3. Vandana Luthra
Founder – VLCC
Vandana Luthra was born in Kolkata. She is the founder of VLCC Health Care Limited. It is a beauty and wellness brand. The wellness brand has its presence in over 11 countries over Asia, Africa and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
She got proficient in beauty, skin care, fitness and nutrition while pursuing her higher education in Germany, UK and France.
Mrs. Vandana Luthra was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013 by the Government of India.
4. Ekta Kapoor
Managing Director – Balaji Telefilms
Ekta Kapoor is one of the main people behind changing the face of Indian Television forever. Ekta Kapoor has singlehandedly founded and made Balaji Telefilms a successful production house.
She has produced many hit serials. The longest running TV serial and the Most watched TV serial is produced by her.
Ekta Kapoor has won numerous awards for the TV shows and movies that she has produced.
5. Richa Kar
Founder – Zivame
Richa is the founder and CEO of Zivame, an online lingerie store. she is on of the most successful women entrepreneurs in India. Zivame is probably one of the first online innerwear players in India and has played a great role in educating women across the country about lingerie.
From starting in a small office space to having a valuation of around $100 million, Richa kar and Zivame have come a far way!
6. Aditi Gupta
Founder – Menstrupedia
Aditi Gupta was born in Jharkhand. She has a degree from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Aditi is the co-founder of Menstrupedia. The company works towards spreading awareness about menstruation and educating the society about menstrual health and hygiene.
She started the venture after her personal experiences. She used to have menstrual issues and after finding out other women also have similar issues, she decided to make a website and make illustrations that educate women on menstruation.
This venture has become very useful and helpful to the women in India.
7. Upasana Taku
Founder – Mobikwik
Upasana co-founded Mobikwik with her husband, Bipin Preet Singh. Mobikwik provides a mobile phone based payment system and a digital wallet. Customers can add money to the Mobikwik wallet and that can be used for payments.
She has completed her masters in management science from Stanford University.
8. Malika Sadani
Founder – The Moms Co.
Malika Sadani is the founder and CEO of The Moms Co., a leading brand for toxin free new born baby products and products that are safe for mom’s skin care during pregnancy.
When Malika moved back from UK to India after her first child was born, she personally found it difficult to find chemical free, quality products in the country.
With Moms Co., her goal was to help moms in India and across the world to have access to safe and good quality baby products.
9. Ruchi Garg
Founder – Venuelook
Venuelook was founded by Ruchi Garg in 2014. It’s a Noida based company. Venuelook is into venue booking and event planning. The company has its operations across 16 cities in India.
Ruchi holds a degree in computer science. She has an experience of more than 15 years in the industry and still loves to solve her business problems using technology.
10. Sugandha Agarwal
Founder – Docttocare
Sugandha is the sole founder of Docttocare. Docttocare is an online healthcare service provider which provides best doctors, clinics, hospitals with brief information and virtual walkthroughs of the ambiance to showcase hospitality and their facilities.
Sugandha has previously worked in Infosys, Oracle and Google Maps before starting Docttocare.