India’s startup ecosystem is thriving, and one of the most powerful forces driving this transformation is the emergence of women entrepreneurs. In 2025, women led startups are breaking barriers, raising millions in funding, creating innovative solutions, and empowering future generations. This blog highlights ten inspiring women led startups that are not only generating impressive revenues and valuations but also reshaping industries like beauty, fintech, health tech, edtech, and sustainability.
Top 10 Women Led startups in India
1. Nykaa
- Founder: Falguni Nayar
- Year Founded: 2012
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Industry: Beauty & Lifestyle E-commerce
- Funding/Valuation: Public company, market cap ~$6.5B (June 2025)
- Why It Matters: Nykaa revolutionized beauty retail in India with a digital-first approach. Falguni Nayar became India’s first self-made female billionaire, inspiring a generation of women in business.
2. Mamaearth
- Founders: Ghazal Alagh & Varun Alagh
- Year Founded: 2016
- Headquarters: Gurugram
- Industry: D2C Beauty and Personal Care
- Funding: Raised $52M+; valued at over $1B
- Highlight: Mamaearth focuses on toxin-free, eco-friendly personal care products. Ghazal Alagh has become a symbol of new-age entrepreneurship with her Shark Tank India presence.
- Founders: Vineeta Singh & Kaushik Mukherjee
- Year Founded: 2012
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Industry: D2C Beauty & Cosmetics
- Funding: Raised ~$93.5M (INR 682 Cr)
- Highlight: Known for bold branding and accessible makeup products for Indian skin tones, SUGAR Cosmetics has become a household name and a top millennial brand.
4. Sheroes
- Founder: Sairee Chahal
- Year Founded: 2014
- Headquarters: Delhi NCR
- Industry: Social Networking & Women Empowerment
- Impact: A safe, women-only social platform offering jobs, mentorship, and resources to help women succeed professionally.
- Founder: Dr. Geetha Manjunath
- Year Founded: 2016
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
- Industry: HealthTech (AI & Diagnostics)
- Innovation: Non-invasive breast cancer screening using thermal imaging and AI. Affordable, scalable, and ideal for rural India.
6. YourStory
- Founder: Shradha Sharma
- Year Founded: 2008
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
- Industry: Media & Content
- Mission: Amplifying startup stories and giving voice to thousands of entrepreneurs, especially women and underrepresented founders.
- Founder: Hena Mehta
- Year Founded: 2018
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Industry: FinTech
- USP: A financial platform designed exclusively for women, providing investment education, planning tools, and a strong support community.
8. Kirana Club
- Co-Founders: Aishwarya Jain & Anshul Gupta
- Year Founded: 2021–2022 (seeded in late 2021; officially launched early 2022)
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
- Industry: Retail Tech / B2B Community Platform
- Why It Matters:
Kirana Club is reimagining how over 15–18 lakh kirana (mom‑and‑pop) stores in India connect—with each other and with FMCG brands. Think “LinkedIn for kiranas”: powered by AI-driven shelf analytics, multilingual community feeds, and brand collaborations. This platform bridges an information gap: kirana owners can share trends, educate peers, and discover new products, while global brands like Coca‑Cola, P&G, PepsiCo gain authentic access to India’s vast informal retail network.
- Key Woman Leader: Yogita Bhalla (COO)
- Year Founded: 2009
- Headquarters: Delhi/Bengaluru
- Industry: EdTech & Robotics
- Impact: Developing STEM kits and AI learning tools for school students, making tech education accessible across India.
10. Zerodha Rainmatter Foundation
- Key Woman Leader: Seema Patil (Director)
- Year Founded: 2016 (foundation arm)
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
- Industry: Climate Tech & Philanthropy
- Mission: Supporting startups working in sustainability, climate action, and green economy.
Top 10 Women Led Startups in India :
| Startup | Founder(s) | Year | Total Funding | Headquarters | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nykaa | Falguni Nayar | 2012 | Public, ~$6.5B cap | Mumbai | Beauty E-commerce |
| Mamaearth | Ghazal & Varun Alagh | 2016 | $52M+ | Gurugram | D2C Personal Care |
| SUGAR Cosmetics | Vineeta Singh & Kaushik Mukherjee | 2012 | ~$93.5M | Mumbai | D2C Cosmetics |
| Sheroes | Sairee Chahal | 2014 | Undisclosed | Delhi NCR | Social Impact |
| Niramai Health Analytix | Dr. Geetha Manjunath | 2016 | ~$15M | Bengaluru | HealthTech |
| YourStory | Shradha Sharma | 2008 | ~$8M | Bengaluru | Media & Content |
| Basis | Hena Mehta | 2018 | ~$3.2M | Mumbai | FinTech |
| Kirana CLub | Aishwarya Jain & Anshul Gupta | 2022 | Not Disclosed | Bengaluru | Retail Tech / B2B Community Platform |
| Avishkaar Robotics | Neha Bhalla (COO) | 2009 | ~$5M | Delhi/Bengaluru | EdTech & Robotics |
| Zerodha Rainmatter | Seema Patil (Director) | 2016 | Philanthropy arm | Bengaluru | Sustainability/ClimateTech |
Top 10 Women Led Startups in India : Conclusion
The success stories of these women-led startups are a testament to India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape. These founders are not just business leaders; they are changemakers reshaping industries, creating jobs, and driving innovation across Bharat.
As government policies, venture capital support, and public awareness continue to empower women entrepreneurs, India is set to become a global leader in inclusive innovation.
If you found this article insightful, share it with your network and support women-led innovation in India.
Top 10 Women Led Startups in India : FAQs
Q1. Which is the most successful women-led startup in India?
Nykaa, founded by Falguni Nayar, is India’s most prominent women-led unicorn, also listed on the stock exchange.
Q2. Are women-led startups getting funding in India?
Yes. Many VCs and funds are now backing women-led startups, and some funds are exclusively focused on female entrepreneurs.
Q3. Which industries see the most women-led startups in India?
Beauty, fintech, health tech, education, social impact, and climate innovation.
Q4. How can I invest in women led startups?
You can look into angel investing platforms or explore companies listed on public markets like Nykaa.
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