Women are increasingly making their mark in entrepreneurship, driving economic growth and national development in India. Previously not popular among women, the entrepreneurship landscape has shifted significantly with their success across various industries.
Familiar names like Biocon Ltd, Nykaa, Shopclues, Zivame, and more are not just brands but the brainchild of women entrepreneurs. This era has witnessed a remarkable turning tide in the number of successful women entrepreneurs in India. India proudly ranks third globally with over 2 million female entrepreneurs, many of whom have built their businesses from the ground up. Let’s learn more about some of the top women entrepreneurs in India.
Successful Women Entrepreneurs in India 2024
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, born into a Gujarati family in 1953, founded the renowned biopharmaceutical company Biocon Pharmaceutical Company. Despite facing rejection for a Master Brewer position in India, she pursued opportunities abroad, working as a trainee manager in Ireland. In 1978, she successfully transformed her industrial enzyme manufacturing company into a biopharmaceutical company, eventually making it one of the first Indian companies to manufacture and export enzymes to the USA and Europe. Today, she is one of India’s richest women.
She boasts a net worth of $2.40 billion, ranking her among the most successful women entrepreneurs in India. She has won numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards.
Falguni Nayar
Falguni Nayar, an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, transitioned from a successful 25-year career in financial services to pursue her entrepreneurial dream. In 2012, she founded Nykaa, an e-commerce company specialising in cosmetics and beauty products. With an initial investment of $2 million, Nykaa quickly gained popularity and trust among consumers, leading to its expansion into retail outlets across India. Falguni Nayar ranks among the most successful women entrepreneurs in India.
Her achievements include winning the Woman Ahead Category at ETSA (2017) and the Businesswoman of the Year Award at the ET Awards for Corporate Excellence (2019).
Vandana Luthra
Vandana Luthra was born in a middle-class family in Delhi. She established VLCC Health Care Limited in 1989, earning her the title of Queen of Wellness. VLCC, which stands for ‘Vandana Luthra Curles and Curves,’ offers a wide range of weight management, beauty, skincare, and hair care solutions. Vandana Luthra’s dedication and hard work earned her the Padma Shri award in 2013. Today, VLCC is a globally recognised brand with a presence in 153 cities across thirteen countries. Vandana Luthra ranks among the top women entrepreneurs in India, with a net worth of USD 1.7 billion.
Namita Thapar
Namita Thapar is an Indian entrepreneur and executive director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals. After completing her education in the USA, she joined her father’s company, Emcure Pharmaceuticals. In 2017, she founded ‘Incredible Ventures Ltd’ with the aim of promoting youth entrepreneurship and imparting entrepreneurial skills to adolescents and youths across India.
Incredible Ventures Ltd. has branches in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. Namita Thapar’s net worth is currently USD 85 million.
Vineeta Singh
Vineeta Singh, an MBA graduate from IIM Ahmedabad, founded SUGAR Cosmetics in 2015. Focusing on creating exclusive beauty products matching Indian skin tones, SUGAR Cosmetics quickly gained popularity, boasting more than 2,500 outlets across 130 cities in India. Vineeta Singh’s net worth is currently USD 36 million. In 2021, she was featured on the cover of Forbes’s Most Powerful Women.
Shahnaz Hussain
Shahnaz Hussain, born in November 1944, is one of the top women entrepreneurs In India. She founded ‘The Shahnaz Husain Group’ with the opening of the first herbal clinic in 1970. Shahnaz Hussain’s products gained global recognition for their pure herbal ingredients, revolutionising cosmetic care in India. She received the award of the world’s greatest entrepreneur and represented India at the World Summit for Entrepreneurs during the tenure of US President Barack Obama. Shahnaz Hussain’s initiatives include corporate social responsibility and government skill development projects, benefitting over 40,000 underprivileged women.
Chitra Gurnani Daga
Chitra Gurnani Daga founded Thrillophilia Tours Pvt. Ltd. in 2009, establishing a solid presence in the tourism market with online adventure tours. Recognised by travel enthusiasts, Thrillophilia Tours offers diverse travel experiences. Chitra Gurnani Daga’s net worth currently stands at USD 20 million.
Ghazal Alagh
Ghazal Alagh, born in September 1988, founded Mamaearth in 2016 with the goal of creating organic personal care products free from toxins and harmful chemicals. With innovative marketing strategies, Mamaearth quickly became a trusted brand in India. It also expanded its reach to countries like Bangladesh and Nepal.
Ghazal Alagh is the Chief Innovation Officer of Honasa Consumer Pvt Ltd, Mamaearth’s parent company. Her net worth is USD 18 million.
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal co-founded the online marketplace ShopClues.com in 2011, becoming the first Indian woman to enter the Unicorn club with a private startup company worth over $1 billion. Radhika’s expertise in retail, e-commerce, fashion, lifestyle, marketing, and public relations aided ShopClues.com in becoming a renowned name in the online shopping industry. Her net worth is USD 10.4 million.
Richa Kar
Richa Kar, the founder of Zivame, a leading lingerie store, was born in Jamshedpur (Jharkhand). Inspired by Victoria’s Secret, she launched Zivame after completing her MBA from NMIMS. Being among the top Women Entrepreneurs in India, Richa Kar received the Padma Shri award in 2016 for her significant contributions to the trade and industry sector.
Richa Singh
Richa Singh is the co-founder of “YourDOST,” an online mental health platform. Born and raised in India, Richa pursued her computer science and engineering education. Witnessing the lack of mental health support in India, she co-founded YourDOST in 2014, aiming to provide accessible and confidential emotional support to individuals. Through YourDOST, Richa has helped countless people navigate mental health challenges and seek professional guidance.
Suchi Mukherjee
Suchi Mukherjee is the founder and CEO of Limeroad, an e-commerce platform focusing on women’s fashion. With a background in finance and entrepreneurship, Suchi launched Limeroad in 2012 to provide women with a personalised shopping experience. Her innovative approach to online shopping and focus on user engagement have propelled Limeroad’s success in the competitive e-commerce market.
Divya Gokulnath
Divya Gokulnath is the co-founder of BYJU’S, India’s leading online learning platform. After completing her education in India and the USA, Divya joined forces with her husband, Byju Raveendran, to revolutionise education in India. Their vision to make learning accessible and engaging has made BYJU’S a household name, empowering millions of students nationwide.
Priya Paul
Priya Paul is the Chairperson of The Park Hotels, a prominent hospitality chain in India. Born into a family with a legacy in the hospitality industry, Priya Paul has played a pivotal role in expanding and modernising The Park Hotels brand. Under her leadership, The Park Hotels has become synonymous with luxury and innovation, setting new standards in the hospitality sector.
Anu Acharya
Anu Acharya is the founder and CEO of Mapmygenome, a pioneering genomics company based in India. With a background in molecular biology and entrepreneurship, Anu founded Mapmygenome in 2013 to make personalised genomics accessible to individuals. Her commitment to genomic research and healthcare innovation has positioned Mapmygenome as a leader in preventive healthcare solutions.
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