India’s startup ecosystem is one of the fastest-growing in the world, driven by innovation, digital adoption, and a new generation of entrepreneurs disrupting traditional sectors with bold ideas. It is no longer just a boys’ club — it’s being boldly reshaped by a dynamic group of women founders who are challenging norms, building scalable businesses, and driving impact across industries. From fintech to spiritual tech, and from beauty to health, these entrepreneurs are not only building strong companies but also inspiring a generation of change-makers.
Here’s a look at some of the most influential women leading this transformation:
Falguni Nayar: Nykaa
A former investment banker turned entrepreneur at the age of 50, Falguni launched Nykaa in 2012 and turned it into one of India’s biggest beauty and lifestyle platforms. She proved that age is no barrier when you have an entrepreneurial fire burning within you. She is one of the leading female entrepreneurs in India who empowered countless women to explore the world of beauty, e-commerce, and business. Today, Nykaa is a publicly listed company and a household name in India’s e-commerce space.
Vineeta SIngh: SUGAR Cosmetics
Vineeta built SUGAR as a millennial-focussed beauty brand that speaks the language of bold, independent Indian women. She has inspired millions of aspiring entrepreneurs with her acumen, after appearing as an investor on ‘Shark Tank India’. Under her leadership, the brand became a cult favorite and a top D2C success story.
Jagriti Motwani: Bhagva
Jagriti Motwani is the Founder of Bhagva, a spiritual-tech platform making Indian rituals, pujas, and virtual darshans accessible globally. She is also leading initiatives to train and empower women in crafting traditional puja essentials, creating livelihood opportunities through cultural preservation. Jagriti is also the founder of IndexNation & Cha-Chi Communications, a new-age PR consultancy and currently working on Shakti Bharat Mission. She is a mother and multi-business founder who is redefining how purpose-driven businesses scale in India’s evolving digital ecosystem.
Upasana Taku: MobiKwik
A pioneering force in fintech, Upasana Taku has transformed MobiKwik into one of India’s top digital financial platforms, spanning payments, credit, and BNPL services. With a strong commitment to financial inclusion, she continues to innovate for underserved communities. Upasana made history as the first woman to lead a payments startup in India and has earned accolades such as Forbes Asia’s Power Businesswomen (2019) and 12th place in the Kotak Wealth Hurun list of India’s richest self-made women (2020).
Ghazal Alagh: Mamaearth
Ghazal, co-founder of Mamaearth, is the face of natural beauty and baby care innovation in India. With Mamaearth, she introduced toxin-free products to the Indian market and scaled the brand into a D2C giant that’s now expanded into physical retail and international markets. She stands as one of the successful entrepreneurs in India who championed mom-and-baby care.
Radhika Ghai Agarwal: ShopClues
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal is a trailblazing entrepreneur who co-founded ShopClues, one of India’s earliest and most successful e-commerce platforms, becoming the first Indian woman to join the unicorn club. Her platform revolutionized retail by making affordable online shopping accessible to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Today, through her new venture Kindlife, she is championing sustainability and conscious consumerism, reinforcing her role as a changemaker in India’s evolving startup ecosystem.
Vani Kola: Kalaari Capital
Vani Kola, founder of Kalaari Capital, is one of India’s most influential venture capitalists, known for backing game-changing startups like Dream11, Myntra, and Cure.fit. With a keen eye for innovation, she has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s startup landscape. Beyond funding, Vani actively champions the cause of women in entrepreneurship and venture capital, inspiring a new generation of founders to dream big.