In a world where job security is often a priority, some women dared to dream beyond their high-paying careers. They walked away from corporate stability, left behind prestigious roles, and took the bold step of starting their own ventures.
Today, their businesses have grown into multi-crore enterprises, inspiring millions across India and beyond.
This Women’s Day, let’s celebrate ten fearless Indian women entrepreneurs who took a leap of faith and built companies that changed industries forever.
1. Falguni Nayar
Falguni Nayar spent nearly 20 years at Kotak Mahindra Bank, rising to the position of Managing Director at Kotak Mahindra Capital Company. Despite a successful career in investment banking, she wanted to create something of her own.
In 2012, at the age of 50, she launched Nykaa, a beauty and lifestyle retail brand. Over the years, Nykaa has transformed the way Indians shop for beauty products, making high-end cosmetics accessible nationwide.
By leveraging an omnichannel approach, the brand expanded both online and offline, with hundreds of physical stores across India.
Today, Nykaa is valued at ₹97,000 crores, making Falguni one of India’s richest self-made women and an inspiration for late-stage entrepreneurs proving that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
2. Vineeta Singh
An IIM Ahmedabad graduate, Vineeta Singh was offered a ₹1 crore per year job at a global investment firm. Instead of taking the safe route, she chose to build her own brand in the beauty industry.
In 2015, she co-founded Sugar Cosmetics, a brand that resonated with young Indian women by offering bold, high-quality, and cruelty-free makeup products.
Competing with international giants, Sugar Cosmetics used influencer marketing and digital campaigns to gain massive popularity.
Today, Sugar Cosmetics is valued at ₹4,000 crores, and Vineeta Singh has become a household name, especially after her appearance on Shark Tank India.
3. Richa Kar
While working at SAP, Richa Kar studied the Indian e-commerce industry and noticed that lingerie shopping was still uncomfortable for many Indian women. She realized there was a huge opportunity in the online space.
In 2011, she founded Zivame, India’s first major online lingerie brand, providing women a private and convenient way to shop for innerwear. By breaking taboos and normalizing conversations around lingerie, Zivame revolutionized the market.
The company was later acquired for ₹1,200 crores, cementing its place in the Indian retail sector and making Richa Kar a pioneer in the lingerie e-commerce industry.
4. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw trained as a brewmaster and was set to work in the beer industry. However, in the 1970s, the brewing sector was dominated by men, and she found it difficult to secure leadership roles.
Determined to carve her own path, she started Biocon in 1978 with just ₹10,000. What began as a small enzyme-manufacturing company has now become India’s largest biotechnology firm, focusing on life-saving pharmaceuticals and cutting-edge research.
Today, Biocon is valued at ₹29,000 crores, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is recognized globally as a biotech leader and philanthropist.
5. Malika Sadani
Malika Sadani was a banker in London before becoming an entrepreneur. When she became a mother, she struggled to find safe, toxin-free baby products in India.
In 2016, she founded The Moms Co., a brand that provides natural, chemical-free baby care products. The company quickly gained trust among mothers by offering dermatologically tested, Australian-certified toxin-free products.
The Moms Co. was later acquired for ₹500 crores, making Malika Sadani one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in India.
6. Saily Lad
Saily Lad was working in consulting, handling large-scale projects, but she wanted to create something impactful in the technology sector.
She went on to establish Volksara, a company specializing in cybersecurity and smart city solutions. Volksara has played a crucial role in integrating advanced tech into city infrastructure and was responsible for deploying technology at Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest gatherings.
Today, Volksara generates ₹150 crores in revenue and is expanding rapidly in the cybersecurity domain.
7. Ghazal Alagh
Ghazal Alagh was a corporate trainer before entering the entrepreneurial world. Her journey into business started when she struggled to find safe, chemical-free skincare products for her newborn.
She co-founded Mamaearth, a toxin-free skincare brand that quickly became a household name in India. With a focus on sustainability and natural ingredients, Mamaearth became the first Indian beauty brand to be certified Made Safe.
Today, Mamaearth is valued at ₹15,500crores, making it one of India’s most successful personal care brands.
8. Kavitha Subramanian
Kavitha Subramanian had a background in investment banking, working with some of the top global financial institutions. She saw an opportunity in the rapidly growing fintech industry and decided to take the plunge.
She co-founded Upstox, a digital stock-trading platform that makes investing easier for everyday Indians. By offering zero-commission trading and advanced analytics, Upstox quickly gained popularity among young investors.
Today, Upstox is valued at ₹28,200 crores, making it one of the leading brokerage platforms in India.
9. Ruchi Kalra
Ruchi Kalra was a partner at McKinsey & Company, where she worked with some of the biggest firms in the world. But she had a vision to build something of her own.
She co-founded OfBusiness and Oxyzo, two financial and procurement startups focused on empowering SMEs with credit and raw material supply solutions.
OfBusiness, in particular, became one of India’s fastest-growing unicorns.
Today, her ventures are valued at a combined ₹52,000 crores, making her one of the most influential women in India’s startup ecosystem.
10. Roshni Nadar Malhotra
Roshni Nadar Malhotra began her career in media and broadcast journalism before stepping into the world of business.
She took over as the Chairperson of HCL Technologies, a global IT services company founded by her father, Shiv Nadar. Under her leadership, HCL Technologies has expanded its global footprint, strengthened its innovation capabilities, and maintained its status as a leader in IT services.
Today, HCL Technologies is valued at ₹2.85 lakh crores, making it one of India’s biggest IT firms.
