Meet Madhu Lunawat: First Indian Woman To Launch A Mutual Fund Business
Madhu Lunawat has become the first Indian woman to independently set up a mutual fund company
Madhu Lunawat
Who Is Madhu Lunawat? The Wealth Company, a part of the Pantomath Group, has received final approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to launch its mutual fund business, marking a historic milestone as India's first fund house founded by a woman.
Madhu Lunawat: First Indian Woman to Set Up a Mutual Fund
The new asset management company is led by Madhu Lunawat, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Pantomath Group. She is now the first Indian woman to independently establish and receive Sebi's approval for a fund house. While other fund houses exist — currently around 46 — only Edelweiss Mutual Fund is headed by a woman, with Radhika Gupta serving as MD & CEO.
Before her entrepreneurial journey, Lunawat held leadership roles at Infosys, ASREC, and Edelweiss Group, where she served as CFO of Edelweiss ARC. 'This is not just a moment for me – it's a moment for every woman who wants to build, lead, and reshape the financial landscape," Lunawat told TOI.
'We're here to build something that's intelligent, long-term, and deeply aligned with the real needs of Indian investors," she added.
The company aims to blend private equity-style, data-intensive research with the accessibility needed by everyday retail investors. This bottom-up investment philosophy is designed to address real investor needs while maintaining simplicity and discipline.
Focus on Tier-3 and Beyond: Democratizing Wealth Creation
The Wealth Company Mutual Fund will focus significantly on Tier-3 and smaller towns, which are witnessing rising income levels and untapped investment potential. The AMC seeks to channel this capital toward structured, actively managed funds — helping investors participate in India's Viksit Bharat (Developed India) growth journey.
The Wealth Company's entry into mutual funds is backed by its rapid success in the alternative investment space. Within a short period, it built a strong portfolio across equity and structured strategies, attracting marquee investors and delivering solid performance. This foundation will help bring both innovation and stability to its mutual fund offerings from the outset. 'Over the years, mutual funds have become one of the most trusted investment platforms for retail investors," said Lunawat, who now serves as Founder, MD and CEO of The Wealth Company Asset Management Holdings.
'Our entry into mutual funds is driven by a commitment to bring the same disciplined, data-driven philosophy from our alternative ventures to a broader retail base. We aim to offer high-quality, outcome-oriented products that truly empower Indian investors."
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