Introduction:
India is a nation full of diverse offerings and opportunities which attract thousands of entrepreneurs every year. Women are no less when it comes to participating in the business field; thus, in the past few years, we have seen a number of successful female entrepreneurs emerge from multiple sectors such as technology, fashion retailing, real estate, etc. There was a time when it was hard for women to become successful entrepreneurs in India. Here we can list out the Top 10 Successful Women Entrepreneurs In India.
But now, it is no more rocket science. Women can do anything they want. Men can do everything they do; women can do everything men do but in their own style and manner. These women have achieved everything they ever dreamed of. Sure, they’ve had their ups and downs, but these female entrepreneurs have paved the way for women all over the country.
List of Top 10 Successful Women Entrepreneurs In India:
Table of Contents
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw:
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is an Indian billionaire entrepreneur. She is the chairperson and managing director of Biocon Limited, a biotechnology company based in Bangalore, India, and the chairman of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. In 2014, she was awarded the Othmer Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to the progress of science and chemistry. Forbes has listed Kiran Mazumdar Shaw as the 81st most powerful woman in the world in 2020.
Mazumdar-Shaw started Biocon in 1978 in the garage of her rented house with an initial investment of Rs 10,000 borrowed from her father. He was a retired official from the United Breweries Group. The firm began by selling enzymes to home brewing companies in Australia. Its first product was an enzyme for people with diabetes called glucosylceramide, sold to Pfizer Corporation but could not be marketed due to lack of FDA approval.
- Founder of: Biocon
- Founded in: 1978
- Net worth: $3.1 billion (2023)
Ghazal Alagh:
Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Mamaearth, Ghazal Alagh is a co-founder. Mamaearth is an e-commerce company that sells baby, health, and hair care products. Alagh founded the company in 2016 along with her husband, Varun Alagh. Ghazal Alagh was born on 2 September 1988. She completed her schooling at Gurgaon, Haryana. After that, she attended Panjab University, where Ghazal graduated with a Bachelor of Computer Applications and Fine Arts degree. In addition, she also graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the New York Academy of Arts.
She started her career with another website called diet expert., which did not succeed, and her later startups. Alagh went on to found an art studio called Being Artsy and later launched Mamaearth along with her husband when she could not find any products to treat their son’s skin condition.
When Ghazal and her husband couldn’t find natural products for their son’s skin condition, they decided to create their line of products. They invested 90 lakhs in the company, including their savings and a couple of angel investors. Ghazal’s goals when starting Mamaearth were to create safe and natural products for young infants. The brand multiplied, and today it sells over 100 products in the baby care, skincare, and hair care category. Mamaearth has served over five million customers in over 500 cities since its founding in 2016.
- Founder of: Mamaearth
- Founded in: 2016
- Networth: 142 crores (2023)
Falguni Nayar:
Falguni Nayar is an Indian businesswoman and entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of The Nykaa, an e-commerce platform that provides beauty, wellness, and fashion products. Nayar is a billionaire. Nayar was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, in 1963. Her father was a businessman who owned a small bearing company. She graduated from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
She later attended the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Before starting Naykaa (an e-commerce platform that sells beauty, fashion, and wellness products), Nayar worked at Kotak Mahindra Group for 20 years. Her previous role was Managing Director at Kotak Investment Banking for almost four years. Her previous role was Managing Director at Kotak Investment Banking for almost four years.
In 2012, Nayar quit her job and launched Nykaa, initially operating out of her father’s office with three employees on board. During the early days, the company faced some significant challenges. Their website kept crashing, and once they hit 100 orders, the whole system would shut down. In 2013, demand started increasing.
Nayar’s daughter also joined Nykaa. In 2015, the company launched its beauty products, a huge success. By 2020, it became the first Indian unicorn startup led by a woman. During the COVID period, Nayar’s company faced some setbacks; but they pulled themselves up and emerged as a top player in the industry by 2021.
- Founder of: Nykaa
- Founded in: 2012
- Net worth: $4.08 billion (2023)
Vandana Luthra:
Vandana Luthra, a fitness expert, and entrepreneur is the founder of VLCC Health Care Ltd – a beauty and wellness conglomerate. In 2014, she was appointed chairperson of the sector skill council, which provides training under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana scheme. India’s government has backed this program to give workers skills in the beauty industry.
Vandana Luthra is a Delhi-born entrepreneur interested in beauty, food and nutrition, and skincare. She started VLCC in 1989 as a beauty service center, and they have since expanded into other areas like skincare and advanced dermatology. This strategy allows the company to provide quality services at affordable prices.
The VLCC Group, a beauty, and wellness service provider have 326 locations in 153 cities and 13 countries. Since its founding in 1978, the company has been expanding rapidly; and today, it has more than 4,200 employees and serves over 40,000 customers daily and it continues to grow. The company offers various high-quality services under one roof, combining beauty and wellness treatments.
- Founder of: VLCC
- Founded in: 1989
- Networth: 1500 Crore. (2023)
Shradha Sharma:
Ms.Shradha Sharma has created a digital platform called YourStory, dedicated to startups and entrepreneurs. Ms. Shradha Sharma is the CEO of YourStory, having founded it in 2008. She was born in a town in Bihar, India, and grew up in Patna. Her father served in the merchant navy, and her mother was a homemaker. She is married to Mr. Gaurav, who is also an entrepreneur. The couple lives in Bangalore, Karnataka.
Shradha completed her bachelor’s degree from St Stephen’s college in Delhi University and her master’s degree from there before pursuing a degree from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Design Management (DCM). She served as the Brand Advisor at The Times of India for about six months before becoming an Assistant Vice President with CNBC Tv18 for two years.
She is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Editor of YourStory, a digital media company based in India. In an online YouTube talk show called “Chai with Lakshmi,” she has been referred to as “the biggest storyteller of India’s digital space.” TechGig listed her as one of “5 women Indian entrepreneurs in India you should know about” and was once featured in a story by The Hindu on why she thinks women should not be restricted to specific roles.
- Founder of: YourStory
- Founded in: 2008
- Networth: $1.3 billion (2023)
Upasana Taku:
Upasana Taku is the co-founder and COO of MobiKwik, the number one mobile wallet in India. She has recently featured in Fortune’s 40 under 40 lists, and she’s an inspiration for young entrepreneurs everywhere.
“I think we’re all born with a dream to build something that will last,” says Upasana. “I feel proud that I have created something used by millions of people.” Upasana Taku is an entrepreneur who founded Zaakpay, which solves payment issues for eCommerce companies, and Mobikwik, which makes payment easier through mobile phones.
The companies were founded in 2009 by Taku, her husband, Bipin Preet Singh, and her sister. In 2014 Mobikwik received an award called the mBillionth Award South Asia in the category of mobile business; its parent company Zaakpay received similar recognition as the mBillionth winner in the highest-grossing category in 2015.
- Founder of: Mobiwik
- Founded in: 2009
- Networth: INR 7482 Crores (2023)
Vani kola:
The Venture Capitalist Vani Kola launched her own VC firm called Kalaari Capital in 2011. She works with first-time entrepreneurs to build strong, globally sized businesses. She also has a reputation for being very successful and helping young startups. Kalaari invests in technology companies in India and has funded more than 50 companies across the e-commerce, mobile services, education, and healthcare sectors. These investments include Snapdeal, Myntra, VIA, Apps Daily, Urban Ladder, Zivame, Power2SME, and Bluestone.
Vani Reddy was born and raised in Hyderabad, India. After earning her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Osmania University, she worked in the technology sector before taking entrepreneurship. Vani founded RightWorks, an e-procurement company, in 1996 after working for over a decade as an employee at such companies as Consilium Inc., Control Data Corporation, and Empros.
After successfully running her company for more than four years, she sold 53% percent of RightWorks to the Internet Capital Group and subsequently sold the company entirely to I2 Technologies in 2001. Soon after, she again decided to start a new business, and in 2001 launched NthOrbit. NthOrbit made supply-chain software called Certus. Kalaari Capital, founded and run by Vani Kola, focuses on Internet investments in India, where it has funded more than 50 ventures.
During its four-year run, Certus became a leader in the financial compliance market with a global customer base of 70. Later in 2005, PepsiCo purchased NthOrbit’s Certus internal controls and assurance software, and Krishnan would also be moving to India. She says it took her just 60 days to decide to move back to India. Some of these include Snapdeal, Myntra, and Bluestone.
- Founder of: Kalaari Capital
- Founded in: 2012
- Networth: US$650 million (2023)
Neeru Sharma:
Neeru Sharma is the Co-founder of Infibeam Avenues Limited. After working for Amazon, Alcatel, and a few other brands, she decided to lead her venture. Infibeam is India’s highly successful e-commerce platform with 1300 staff members spread over three different cities. It also counts Picsquare, Odigma, and CCAvenue among its inherited companies.
Neeru returns home from a service-based job. Her father tried his hand at business but suffered a significant loss. Her mother stepped in and became the family’s businessperson when her father needed to find work to cover their losses.
Neeru has seen money crises, but her parents ensured that her education never suffered. She is a fast thinker, extremely thorough, supportive, and has some very innovative new ideas. This makes her an ideal candidate for employment in the legal field: she is an excellent example of ladies in this line of work.
- Founder of: Infibeam
- Founded in: 2007
- Networth: $15 Million (2023)
Priya Paul:
Priya Paul is one of the good examples among many successful woman entrepreneurs in the business world. Miss Priya Paul is considered the most successful entrepreneur woman in India. When her father and Apeejay Surrendra Group chairman Surrendra Paul died, she had to look after those three hotels.
She overcame the challenges, notwithstanding her lack of experience. She chose to follow her heart instead of the hotel guidebook as told by her. Well enough that the digit three has been converted into 12. Yes, 400% expression only from the hotel business. Based on this background, it should be said that she has transformed into one of Asia’s 50 influential businesswomen.
- Founder of: Chairperson The Park Hotels
- Founded in: 1968
- Networth: $5 Million. (2023)
Suchi Mukherjee:
Suchi Mukherjee is the founder of Limeroad, an Indian online fashion, and lifestyle store offering women’s clothing, shoes, beauty products, and more. After starting the company in 2012, Mukherjee added men’s and kid’s wear to her catalog and home and décor. Suchi comes from a middle-class family in Haryana, India.
Growing up, she was a bright student, excelling in her school and college. Her career began at an early age. The couple married after a long relationship, and they now have two children. No controversies have surfaced against her, so it appears that her husband and family support her as she climbs the corporate ladder.
Suchi started working in a sector specialized in telecoms media technology and financial institutions at Lehman Brothers Incorporation. She worked as a Senior Associate in Corporate Finance from July 1998 – to June 2003.
- Founder of: LimeRoad
- Founded in: 2012
- Networth: $15 Million (2023)
Top 10 Successful Women Entrepreneurs in India:
| S.No | Name | Company Name | Founded Year |
| 1 | Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw | Biocon | 1978 |
| 2 | Ghazal Alagh | Mamaearth | 2016 |
| 3 | Falguni Nayar | Nykaa | 2012 |
| 4 | Vandana Luthra | VLCC | 1989 |
| 5 | Shradha Sharma | YourStory | 2008 |
| 6 | Upasana Taku | Mobiwik | 2009 |
| 7 | Vani kola | Kalaari Capital | 2012 |
| 8 | Neeru Sharma | Infibeam | 2007 |
| 9 | Priya Paul | Park Hotels | 1968 |
| 10 | Suchi Mukherjee | LimeRoad | 2012 |
FAQs about Top 10 Successful Women Entrepreneurs in India:
Who is the first youngest woman entrepreneur in India?
Sreelakshmi Suresh is the first youngest woman entrepreneur in India.
Who is the first women entrepreneur in India?
The original “Slumdog millionaire”, Kalpana Saroj went to be the first woman entrepreneur in India. She bought the distressed assets of Kamani Tubes Company and successfully steered the company back to profits.
Who is the No 1 businesswoman in India?
Falguni Nayar
In 2012, she started her company Nykaa, which retails cosmetic and wellness products online. Today, the company has become extremely popular among Indian women and men making her a top Successful Business Woman In India.
Who is the most successful female entrepreneur?
With a net worth of $2.6 billion, Oprah Winfrey is the most famous woman entrepreneur in media and entertainment.
How can a woman become a successful entrepreneur?
6 Tips To Achieve Success As A Female Entrepreneur
- Start by focusing on your mindset.
- Embrace the challenges.
- Don’t be afraid to make waves.
- Identify and eliminate your limiting beliefs.
- Don’t try to please everyone.
- Manage your stress.
How can I become a female entrepreneur in India?
Opportunities for becoming a woman entrepreneur
- Beauty parlors. Women give preference to beauty, beauty products, make-ups, and facials.
- Fitness / Yoga center.
- Food catering center.
- Daycare center or creche.
- Art gallery / art & craft school.
- Start a boutique/garment shop.
What are the problems faced by women entrepreneurs?
- Fewer sectors are Women friendly.
- Lack of Social and Institutional Support.
- Poor Funding Prospects.
- Lack of Access to Professional Networks.
- Pressure to Stick to Traditional Gender Roles.
- Lack of an Entrepreneurial Environment.
- Limited Mobility.
- Lack of Education.
What is the main reason for the growth of women’s entrepreneurship in India?
The country has seen a steep rise in the number of women driving in as founders and helping others build large businesses. Increasing focus on diversity in the workplace has ensured that more women have access to opportunities in the corporate world.
Why is women’s entrepreneurship important?
Women entrepreneurs account for improved economic growth and stability within a country. Women entrepreneurs inspire other women to start businesses. This leads to more job creation for women which ultimately helps in reducing the gender gap in the workforce.
What affects female entrepreneurship in India?
It then explores the causes of low female entrepreneurship rates, primary of which are unconscious biases, low confidence in business skills, difficult access to finance and networks, a lack of family support and child-care options, as well as insufficient safety in work and public spaces.
Conclusion:
All of these women entrepreneurs have proven that they have the potential to become successful in their respective sectors. Each one of them has Top 10 Successful Women Entrepreneurs in India considered her client’s needs and wants before starting her business. With the right guidance, and exposure to the right resources, nothing is impossible; it just takes a little bit of spark.
In the end, we’ll say that India has witnessed a lot of successful women entrepreneurs over the years. And with the number growing each year, it will be intriguing to see which female entrepreneurs make it to this list.
