Last Updated:
As Women’s Day 2025 is here, we celebrate the achievements of some of India’s most powerful women entrepreneurs who have broken barriers and built thriving businesses.
Happy Women’s Day 2025: Here’s a look at 10 successful and influential women entrepreneurs in India. (Image: Shutterstock)
The International Women’s Day is almost here. With just a day to go, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women who have transformed India’s business landscape. These entrepreneurs have defied the odds, challenged stereotypes and built powerful companies that have reshaped industries.
Here’s a look at 10 successful and influential women entrepreneurs in India:
1. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder of Biocon
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw founded Biocon in 1978 with just Rs 10,000 and a vision to make affordable healthcare accessible. Overcoming gender bias and funding struggles, she transformed Biocon into a global pharmaceutical leader, producing life-saving insulin and cancer drugs. Her contributions to science earned her the Othmer Gold Medal, and Forbes recognised her as one of the most powerful women in the world.
2. Falguni Nayar, founder of Nykaa
At the age of 50, Falguni Nayar left a successful career in banking to launch Nykaa, India’s first beauty and personal care e-commerce platform. With no prior experience in retail or cosmetics, she built Nykaa into a billion-dollar empire, which went public in 2021.
3. Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of Mamaearth
A personal struggle to find chemical-free products for her son led Ghazal Alagh to co-found Mamaearth in 2016. She focused on toxin-free, sustainable personal care products, and today, Mamaearth is a household name valued at over $1 billion. Her success highlights the growing demand for natural and environmentally friendly products in India.
4. Namita Thapar, executive director of Emcure Pharma
As the executive director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Namita Thapar has played a big role in the company’s expansion. Beyond pharma, she mentors startups through Shark Tank India and runs Incredible Ventures Ltd., an academy that trains young entrepreneurs. Her work continues to inspire women to take charge in both corporate and startup ecosystems.
5. Upasana Taku, co-founder of MobiKwik
A Stanford graduate, Upasana Taku co-founded MobiKwik in 2009, when digital payments were still an emerging concept in India. Despite initial scepticism, she built a trusted fintech platform now used by millions. Her work in financial inclusion has made her one of the leading women in India’s digital economy.
6. Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCL Technologies
Roshni Nadar Malhotra became the first woman to lead an Indian IT company as the chairperson of HCL Technologies. With a background in media and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, she now oversees one of India’s largest tech firms, proving that leadership knows no gender.
7. Vineeta Singh, CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics
Rejecting a Rs 1 crore job offer, Vineeta Singh chose to build her own brand. She launched SUGAR Cosmetics, which competes with international beauty giants and has made a mark in India’s premium makeup industry. Her success landed her a seat as an investor on Shark Tank India, where she now mentors budding entrepreneurs.
8. Vani Kola, founder of Kalaari Capital
After a successful stint in Silicon Valley, Vani Kola returned to India to support the country’s startup ecosystem. Through her venture capital firm Kalaari Capital, she has funded some of India’s biggest companies, including Flipkart, Myntra and Dream11.
9. Devita Saraf, chairperson and CEO of Vu Televisions
At just 24, Devita Saraf founded Vu Televisions, a brand that blends innovation with luxury. Under her leadership, Vu became a leading premium television brand in India. With a background in business from the University of Southern California, she has successfully positioned her company as a strong competitor to global brands.
10. Manju Dhawan, co-founder of Ecom Express
Recognising the challenges in e-commerce deliveries, Manju Dhawan co-founded Ecom Express in 2012. Her company revolutionised logistics by building a strong last-mile delivery network catering to platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. She shattered gender stereotypes in a male-dominated industry and set new benchmarks in logistics efficiency.
