Number of women entrepreneurs in India has been increasing significantly in the last few years, and many successful leaders have emerged who change industries and challenge gender clichés. In every sector, from healthcare to e-commerce, India’s top women entrepreneurs are transforming the face of success with innovation, determination and leadership.

Some of the few famous Female entrepreneurs in India include Falguni Nayar, Nykaa, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon, the likes of whom have set up billion-dollar companies. 

This change has led to the successful entrepreneurship of women in India and new perception has developed among the people where women can be part of the economy and can bring social change. This article seeks to celebrate these women and their progress from mere dreamers to great business leaders.

The Rise of Women Entrepreneurs in India

The phenomenon of growing women entrepreneurs in India is a new socio-economic change. As more businesses embrace digitization and innovation, women are taking up strategic positions across sectors ranging from technology, healthcare, and retail. Many are exploring innovative business ideas for women, leveraging their skills and creativity to establish successful ventures.

The profile of successful female entrepreneurship in India challenges traditional constraints and utilizes educational capital, innovativeness, and technology to create international ventures. Growth in R&D has also been fueled by the Government’s plans, such as Startup India and sponsorship for female entrepreneurship in India.

Some of the most successful women entrepreneurs in India and their ventures like Mamaearth, and SUGAR Cosmetics are majoring in customer-driven and eco-friendly strategies.

The growing participation of women in business is promoting both economic and business emancipation of women and gender equity in decision-making. This dynamic shift is in process to transform the business environment in order to make it more friendly for everybody.

Key Factors Contributing to Women Entrepreneurs’ Success

  • Access to Education: It reveals that education and vocational training and development afford women with skills that assist them in engagement in enterprising. Management education and skills development programmes are assisting in building more successful women entrepreneurs in India.
  • Government Support: Products such as Mudra Yojana and Stand-Up India provide financial support together with business coaching, thus greatly increasing women’s chances of starting a business in India.
  • Technology and Innovation: More women can afford to advertise through digital media outlets thus offering the top Female entrepreneurship in India the opportunity to expand their markets.
  • Networking and Mentorship: There are various programs such as the mentor and women business associations to guide famous women entrepreneurs, which increases the success rates among such women in India.
  • Cultural Shifts: Improved attitudes and ideas as well as enhanced tolerance towards women in managerial positions provided a perfect environment for the best female entrepreneurs in India.
  • Resilience and Adaptability: The challenges are met by women entrepreneurs with effective problem-solving capabilities and customer-oriented persistence.

List of Top 20 Successful Women Entrepreneurs in India

1. Vineeta Singh 

Women Entrepreneurs in India
Women Entrepreneurs in India

Vineeta Singh revolutionized the Indian beauty segment by launching SUGAR Cosmetics which provides unique and inexpensive makeup products for Indian complexions. A gutsy woman she turned down a lucrative offer after IIM to set up her business. SUGAR, over a period of time, turned into a multi crore brand available both in the online and offline market.

Their success story’s are empowering young people more so women to embrace risks and innovation while starting and growing purposeful businesses in a competitive environment.

Industry: Beauty & Cosmetics

Key Achievements:

  • Built a ₹500+ crore company within five years.
  • Featured as an investor on Shark Tank India.
  • Recognized in Fortune’s 40 Under 40.
  • Expanded to 35,000 retail touchpoints.
  • Created a diverse range of cruelty-free products.
  • Empowered women through entrepreneurship.

2. Ameera Shah 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Ameera Shah turned a single laboratory into Metropolis Healthcare and has become a multinational diagnostics leader. She revolutionized the healthcare system through advancement in technology and market oriented products. The points which can be indicated regarding Ameera’s leadership include simplicity, accountability, team orientation, commitment to high quality and health promotion focused preventive paradigm.

She is still dedicated to the enhancement of the health care availability and patients’ satisfaction along with the enhancement of diagnostics services standards. Her strategic growth initiatives, strategic partnerships and expansions have made Metropolis a brand of repute across markets.

Industry: Healthcare

Key Achievements:

  • Scaled Metropolis to 7 countries with 125+ labs.
  • Named in Forbes Asia’s Power Businesswomen list.
  • Pioneered digital diagnostic services.
  • Advocated for preventive healthcare in India.
  • Implemented strict quality standards.
  • Served as an independent director for leading corporations.

3. Richa Singh 

Women Entrepreneurs in India
Women Entrepreneurs in India

Richa Singh is the co-founder of YourDOST to meet the demands for professional assistance for the mental health of people in India. By creating an Internet resource with an opportunity to receive counseling in anonymous mode, she contributed to the fight against social prejudices.

Her approach of using technology in the service delivery enables her to link them up with Psychologists and Counselors. YourDOST has been able to establish itself as the go-to for online mental wellness with delivering support to persons and companies and changing the discourse regarding mental wellness in India.

Industry: Mental Health

Key Achievements:

  • Built India’s largest mental health platform.
  • Partnered with over 150 institutions.
  • Helped over 1 million users.
  • Featured in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30.
  • Advocates mental wellness awareness.
  • Introduced AI-driven mental health tools.

4. Vandana Luthra 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Vandana Luthra started VLCC for the wellness and slimming center and then moved on to beauty services and personal care products. To her vision, she introduced the beauty and wellness industry to new ways of enabling people to attain better health, fitness and beauty solutions.

Besides, Vandana also played the role of a mentor and a women’s rights activist and created vocational training centers for underprivileged women so that they gain vocation training and employment. She has left her brand associated with quality wellness solutions across the world.

Industry: Wellness & Beauty

Key Achievements:

  • Awarded Padma Shri in 2013.
  • Expanded to 330+ centers across 14 countries.
  • Created vocational training for women.
  • Launched natural and herbal products.
  • Recognized in Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women.
  • Advocated health and nutrition education.

5. Anjali Bansal 

Women Entrepreneurs in India
Women Entrepreneurs in India

Anjali Bansal started Avaana Capital to invest in companies that promote sustainable business, specifically in the energy, food and agriculture and health. She has had experience in corporate governance and venture capital and fosters founders to create sustainable, impactful organizations.

Her work does not limit itself to investment, but also in policy making for women in business. She is on the board of directors for several organizations, leading the development of innovation in core industries while advancing diversity, technological advancement, and environmentalism.

Industry: Investment

Key Achievements:

  • Invested in climate-friendly startups.
  • Chaired several corporate boards.
  • Member of the NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform.
  • Promoted clean energy investments.
  • Named among India’s Most Influential Women.
  • Supported women entrepreneurs globally.

6. Revathi Roy 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Revathi Roy introduced women-first logistics with the last-mile delivery service, Hey Deedee, where all the riders are underprivileged women. They were trained and employed by her and this gave hundreds of women financial freedom.

The paper also introduces Revathi, the social entrepreneur who has changed the lives of many people through social enterprise. Through her approach in the logistics she managed to open the industry to more women and at the same time revolutionized the roles of women in the society.

Industry: Logistics

Key Achievements:

  • Pioneered women-driven logistics in India.
  • Trained over 3,000 women drivers.
  • Expanded services across multiple cities.
  • Featured in BBC’s 100 Women list.
  • Partnered with leading e-commerce companies.
  • Advocated financial independence for women.

7. Akanksha Anshu 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Akanksha Anshu co-founded RefundMe.in to streamline compensation claims that people face due to disrupted flying experience. Her platform is designed to offer a quick and efficient way to getting refund and compensation to users of various products.

She revolutionalised consumer complaint handling in aviation by making it more open and easy. Using technology to deliver legal services and representing customer interest, Akanksha’s work focuses on creating an identity for RefundMe.in as a reliable legal help service.

Industry: LegalTech

Key Achievements:

  • Streamlined compensation processes for travelers.
  • Helped 50,000+ customers recover claims.
  • Recognized for technology-driven legal solutions.
  • Partnered with global airlines.
  • Expanded into multiple legal service areas.
  • Promoted consumer rights awareness.

8. Anju Srivastava 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Anju Srivastava started Wingreens Farms to offer organic, manual, and freshly prepared food items as well as aims at farming sustainability. She has revolutionized women and rural people employment through skill based instead of being paid just wages. Thus, focusing on quality and sustainability as well as the social aspect, she built a direct farm to table supply chain.

Her brand has made consumers realize the importance of healthy and locally sourced food products and even defined the new standards for such products and retail.

Industry: FMCG

Key Achievements:

  • Built a multi-crore FMCG brand.
  • Promoted women-led farming initiatives.
  • Developed innovative product lines.
  • Expanded to major retail chains.
  • Advocated sustainable agriculture.
  • Recognized in business leadership awards.

9. Anisha Singh 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Anisha Singh started up MyDala which is currently the largest couponing and discount platform in India that aims to link consumers with the brands and merchants in their vicinity. Her platform revolutionized the e-commerce industry with the easy availability of savings and deals. Anisha speaks out for women in business and uses her personal story to help other women.

During her tenure, she took the MyDala brand to the households by spearheading innovation in customer relations and electronic business.

Industry: E-commerce

Key Achievements:

  • Served 38 million users.
  • Pioneered online deal platforms in India.
  • Featured in Fortune’s Most Powerful Women.
  • Advocated for women-led startups.
  • Partnered with top retailers.
  • Recognized as a global tech leader.

10. Malika Sadani 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Malika Sadani started The Moms Co to offer clean, non-toxic baby and mommy care products. She got influenced when she was searching for reliable products for her children.

Her business message was clear; she wanted to offer high quality products to parents without hiding anything. Due to the focus on safety, the use of natural elements and the non-exploitation of animals in the making of her product, Malika’s brand has set a good standard for other women owned businesses.

Industry: Personal Care

Key Achievements:

  • Built a trusted D2C brand.
  • Expanded to 15+ product categories.
  • Achieved widespread customer loyalty.
  • Advocated safe product formulations.
  • Partnered with major retail platforms.
  • Featured in top entrepreneurial lists.

11. Falguni Nayar 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Nykaa was started by Falguni Nayar, a former investment banker and the company initially started as an online store focused on beauty and personal care products. Her vision was to select products for the shoppers and ensure that they used originals. Nykaa has turned into a beauty empire with a client base of million people and a successful IPO.

Hers is a classic rags-to-riches story and she became the role model of inspiration for many would-be entrepreneurs, especially those in their late careers by revolutionizing the way beauty products are marketed and sold in India.

Industry: Beauty & E-commerce

Key Achievements:

  • Created India’s first beauty unicorn.
  • Listed Nykaa on the stock exchange.
  • Achieved billion-dollar valuation.
  • Won multiple entrepreneur awards.
  • Built a robust offline presence.
  • Advocated women’s empowerment in business.

12. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the founder of Biocon which brought biotechnology into India. Her vision to make affordable healthcare solutions take Biocon to the level of a world class biopharmaceutical company. The emergence of the company was not least problem-free, especially as she has been the only woman in the predominantly male-dominated field but she managed to stay on course.

Kiran continues to value and champion change, health care, and women’s representation in science. She has worked in biotechnology and has helped a lot in the development of affordable treatments for diabetes and cancer.

Industry: Biotechnology

Key Achievements:

  • India’s first self-made female billionaire.
  • Listed among TIME’s 100 most influential people.
  • Won the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
  • Expanded Biocon into a global enterprise.
  • Advocated affordable insulin production.
  • Championed women in STEM careers.

13. Ghazal Alagh 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Ghazal Alagh started Mamaearth, the world’s first toxin-free personal care brand for babies and adults to use. Her passion to sustainability and innovation has influenced the consumers’ behaviour and trends.

Authenticity is central to the brand with Ghazal stating that all the products contain no harsh chemicals or paraben, thus making it one of the fastest-growing direct-to-consumer brands in India. From being a new mother searching for better products to starting her own business is indeed a great testimony of her love for health, safety and customer oriented business.

Industry: Personal Care

Key Achievements:

  • Built a ₹1,000+ crore brand.
  • Featured on Shark Tank India as an investor.
  • Expanded into multiple product categories.
  • Pioneered “Made Safe” certified products in India.
  • Created innovative baby care solutions.
  • Recognized in top entrepreneur awards.

14. Upasana Taku 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Upasana Taku co-founded MobiKwik with the vision to reinvent the way digital payments are done in India. Such a vision has made millions of users accept cashless financial services with the help of her ideas of creating smooth online financial services.

She sponsored new ideas like the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions. Upasana has focused on fintech that has provided improved access to financial services and created standards for women in tech. She remains passionate with the aspects of customer experience and innovative payments solutions.

Industry: Fintech

Key Achievements:

  • Served over 120 million users.
  • Partnered with 3 million merchants.
  • Listed MobiKwik on the stock exchange.
  • Won multiple fintech leadership awards.
  • Launched BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) services.
  • Advocated financial inclusion for women.

15. Richa Kar 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Richa Kar started her business with Zivame and brought a major change to lingerie shopping in India through a secretive site. She went against the norms of the society, which restricted women’s sexiness by making the intimate wear appealing and comfortable.

The idea of marketing, fitting solutions, and articles that Richa used inspired women and made them be comfortable with their bodies. Zivame’s success has opened doors for increased acceptance of innerwear retail and is one of the leading brands in the intimate wear segment.

Industry: E-commerce

Key Achievements:

  • Built a market leader in lingerie retail.
  • Reached millions of customers across India.
  • Promoted body positivity and confidence.
  • Innovated fitting and size technology.
  • Secured major funding rounds.
  • Advocated women’s empowerment in retail.

16. Sairee Chahal 

Sairee Chahal started building SHEROES, an online marketplace of women, jobs, and support to empower them. Her aim is to enrich women’s financial literacy and empower them.

Sairee has created an opportunity for millions of users to build careers, share experiences, and get advice from experts using technology. Her work focuses on employment and leadership gender disparities and provides women across India with a platform for discussion and networking.

Industry: Social Networking

Key Achievements:

  • Built a 24 million-strong women’s community.
  • Recognized by the World Economic Forum.
  • Launched women-centric micro-entrepreneurship programs.
  • Introduced health and well-being support services.
  • Featured in Fortune’s Most Powerful Women.
  • Advocated gender diversity in workplaces.

17. Shradha Sharma 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Shradha Sharma is the founder of YourStory, the biggest platform for startup stories and successful entrepreneurship in India. Her platform comes in the middle of startups and media, giving the new enterprises visibility.

Shradha’s approach of storytelling is about innovation, diversity, and impact. She developed a rich reference point for the entrepreneurs promoting a vital startup community. Through her tenacity to seek out only positive stories to share with the world, YourStory has gained massive popularity and respect from other business publications.

Industry: Media & Journalism

Key Achievements:

  • Published 100,000+ entrepreneur stories.
  • Built a platform with 10 million monthly readers.
  • Recognized in Fortune’s 40 Under 40.
  • Advocated startup culture and innovation.
  • Secured funding from marquee investors.
  • Hosted impactful startup events and summits.

18. Radhika Ghai 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Radhika Ghai has co-founded ShopClues, which introduced the concept of managed online marketplaces in India. Her business idea to develop this business was aimed to be a marketplace for a number of small merchants. Gradually, ShopClues has emerged as one of the leading e-commerce ventures by targeting affordable and regional segments.

With Richika’s background in retail strategy and customer acquisition, ShopClues became one of the dominant marketplaces for business, and with such a successful tech-entrepreneur story, many more can follow in her footsteps.

Industry: E-commerce

Key Achievements:

  • Built a unicorn startup.
  • Reached over 600,000 merchants.
  • Pioneered hyperlocal e-commerce.
  • Advocated small business digitalization.
  • Featured in Fortune’s Most Powerful Women.
  • Supported women in technology.

19. Neha Motwani 

Women Entrepreneurs in India

Fitternity was started by Neha Motwani for ease of availing fitness and wellness services. She shares her clients with gyms, fitness studios and wellness programs that operating models based on subscriptions.

The introduction of technology into health solutions by Neha has seen Fitternity.com become a leader in its category. It has affected the industry and promoted health with a vision of making fitness better known and available for everyone according to Ms. Aditi Vora.

Industry: Health & Fitness

Key Achievements:

  • Built a platform serving millions of users.
  • Partnered with 12,000 fitness centers.
  • Innovated subscription-based fitness models.
  • Featured in top entrepreneurial lists.
  • Promoted health and wellness awareness.
  • Supported fitness-based micro-entrepreneurs.

20. Aditi Gupta 

Aditi Gupta created Menstrupedia to provide girls and women with knowledge about menstruation through comics and game. She talks about topics that many women would consider taboo and educates people about womanly issues such as menstruation.

There are millions of users of Aditi across schools and communities who have been benefited by her efforts towards menstrual hygiene and education. Her campaign for Mean Marvelous and collaboration with UNICEF asserting callidness during her periods and solidarity for all girls with periods alike shun &prove commitment to pertinent, purposeful, and diverse education.

Industry: Education

Key Achievements:

  • Reached 50,000+ schools with menstrual guides.
  • Recognized in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30.
  • Partnered with UNICEF and schools globally.
  • Created engaging educational content.
  • Advocated for menstrual hygiene in rural areas.
  • Featured in international conferences on health.

Government Support for Women Entrepreneurs in India

The women entrepreneurs in India initially got support from state government programmes to fund and train them effectively for growth.

  • Mudra Yojana for Women: This particular scheme is unsecured and provides loans to the women start-ups and entrepreneurs for the small and medium enterprises in sectors such as textile and food processing.
  • Stand-Up India: This program is meant for women and other vulnerable groups that want to start their own businesses and offers loans from ₹ 10 lakh to ₹ 1 crore.
  • Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD): These grants include training grants for programmes that empower women and capital grants to enable them acquire business skills.
  • Mahila E-Haat: Online portal by Ministry of Women and Child Development, this portal helps lady entrepreneurs to sell their products straight to the consumer.
  • Self-Employment and Talent Utilization (SETU): These are targeted to technology-based startups with women as founders and include seed funding and advice.
  • National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) Schemes: NSIC assists women entrepreneurs with raw material, marketing assistance and credit for ventures of small business.

Conclusion

Successful women entrepreneurs of India have demonstrated great perseverance and leadership coupled with efficiency and creativity. A look at powerful women at the helm of innovation-led ventures or those who are changing the face of industries.

This has been due to government policies on promoting entrepreneurship, enhanced technology and education. Indian ladies becoming entrepreneurs are now contributing effectively towards an increase in the nation’s economy, providing employment opportunities, and setting an example for upcoming generations.

With the rising number of women in leadership positions, the concept of a diverse and developing economy is becoming a reality. For many, entrepreneurship begins with exploring business ideas for housewives in India, enabling them to turn their skills and passions into successful ventures while balancing personal responsibilities. Given the sustained support and new ideas, there are great prospects for the best women entrepreneurs to thrive in India in the future.

FAQs

1. Which of these women entrepreneurs of India are some of the most successful?

Some of the best woman entrepreneurs in the country include Falguni Nayar, Nykaa, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon, Vineeta Singh, SUGAR Cosmetics.

2. Which government programs are focused on women entrepreneurship in India?

Financial assistance and marketing linkages are available to women entrepreneurs under Mudra Yojana and Stand Up India and marketing platform for women entrepreneurs under Mahila e-haat in India.

3. In which industries did famous women entrepreneurs in India make their presence felt?

Some successful women entrepreneurs from India have made their mark in health care, Information technology, beauty care and e-business.

4. What role has played the use of technology in enhancing women entrepreneurs in India?

Technology helps women to increase their reach, promote their products online, and introduce new solutions which increases their chances of being successful businesswomen.

5. Which barriers do the women entrepreneurs face in India?

Another is the issue of funding, social beliefs and finally the lack of role models are some of the barriers that successful women entrepreneurs in India still face.