&w=3840&q=100)
In numbers: How women lead India's startup revolution
India is witnessing a quiet yet powerful transformation — one that is being led by women entrepreneurs across the length and breadth of the country. Union Minister Jitendra Singh has said that of the 1.7 lakh startups currently operating in India, nearly 76,000 are led by women.
This milestone is more than symbolic as it signals a structural shift in how innovation, economic participation and leadership are being reshaped across India's entrepreneurial landscape. Collectively, these startups have generated over 17 lakh jobs, contributing meaningfully to India's employment base and economic development.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
This transformation is not limited to India's metropolitan hubs. The Indian minister pointed out that smaller towns, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 urban clusters in poorer states such as parts of Bihar, are emerging as fertile grounds for women-led ventures. These new entrepreneurial hotspots show the expanding reach of India's startup ecosystem into areas that were historically left out of the innovation discourse.
Where women found and flourished
Data from the Startup India digital map reveals that states such as Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh host the highest number of women-led startups. Maharashtra alone accounts for nearly 13,700 of these ventures, demonstrating how infrastructural advantages and capital access can fuel female entrepreneurship.
Southern states such as Telangana and Kerala also show strong numbers, suggesting the influence of state-level policies designed to foster inclusive growth.
However, the data also reflect disparities. Northeastern states and Union Territories such as Sikkim, Ladakh and Lakshadweep continue to lag in supporting women-led enterprises, largely due to limitations in market access, mentorship and funding. This regional imbalance highlights the need for more localised interventions tailored to the challenges of these underrepresented areas.
A global powerhouse in women-led startup funding
On the global stage, India ranks second only to the United States in terms of cumulative funding raised by companies with women founders. According to a recent report by Tracxn, women-led tech startups in India have collectively raised a staggering $26.4 billion to date. In 2024 alone, these ventures secured $1 billion in funding — representing 8.76 per cent of all tech startup capital raised in the country that year.
Despite a 25 per cent decline from 2023's funding figures, the early-stage investment segment actually grew by six per cent, reflecting increased investor confidence in newer women-led ventures. Still, the need for sustained capital support remains critical, especially as fewer startups progress beyond Series A funding.
Bengaluru: India's startup capital for women
Among Indian cities, Bengaluru stands as the unequivocal leader in both the number of women-led startups and total funding secured. It is followed by Mumbai and the Delhi-NCR region. This dominance reflects not only access to capital and talent but also the presence of supportive ecosystems that encourage risk-taking and innovation by women founders.
Bengaluru's startup culture — long heralded for its openness to diversity and experimentation — has provided a conducive environment for many prominent women-led companies further strengthening its position as a launchpad for entrepreneurial success.
Sectoral impact: Beyond traditional boundaries
Women-led startups are not confined to a narrow band of sectors. The Tracxn report reveals that these ventures span diverse industries, with the retail sector leading in cumulative funding at $7.8 billion. Edtech follows at $5.4 billion, while enterprise applications claim $5 billion. This diversification signals a maturity in the ecosystem—women founders are not just participating, they are innovating across verticals that were once considered male-dominated.
Emerging sub-sectors such as fashion tech, Internet-first consumer brands and B2C ecommerce are seeing increased activity by women founders, redefining what entrepreneurial leadership looks like in India.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Unicorns, IPOs and the journey ahead
India's women-led startup ecosystem has already produced multiple unicorns, with notable spikes in 2021 when eight new unicorns emerged. While the pace has slowed — 2023 and 2024 saw no new unicorns — the groundwork for future growth continues to be laid.
In terms of public market participation, five women-led startups went public in 2024, including notable names like MobiKwik and LawSikho. These successful IPOs mark important milestones, proving that women entrepreneurs are not only building scalable businesses but also ones that are investment-worthy at the highest levels.
However, the path to unicorn status and public listing remains steep. Only 2.3 per cent of funded women-led startups have advanced to Series C or beyond. Addressing this requires more institutional backing, mentorship networks, and long-term funding strategies.
Icons of innovation
A number of women-led startups have emerged as industry benchmarks. Startups such as ACKO, LivSpace, Amagi and The Good Glamm Group are disrupting fields such as insurtech, proptech, SaaS and digital consumer goods. These ventures showcase the range, impact and ambition that characterise the new wave of women-led innovation in India.
Government support and vision
The government has not remained a passive observer in this evolution. At a recent conference on women's development in Bihar, Singh stressed upon the government's focus on empowering women through institutional and scientific avenues. Initiatives such as the WISE (Women in Science and Engineering), CURIE and GATI schemes aim to build both skill and confidence among aspiring women innovators.
Bihar, for instance, is being positioned as a model state in women-led development, thanks to programmes like the Lakhpati Didi scheme and 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayats. These efforts reflect a strategic push to embed women-centric leadership into the country's developmental blueprint.
Singh also emphasised how women are increasingly occupying leadership roles in traditionally male-dominated sectors. India now boasts over one-third of its CSIR laboratories headed by women scientists. Women are playing vital roles in space missions, defence and policy-making—reshaping perceptions and realities at the highest levels.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Inclusive and bold
India's women-led startup revolution is more than a statistical phenomenon. It is a powerful indicator of what inclusive, equitable growth can look like. From Bengaluru's tech corridors to the grassroots of Bihar, women are shaping a new economic narrative grounded in creativity, resilience and impact.
Yet, the journey is far from complete. Funding gaps, regional disparities and a lack of late-stage capital remain significant hurdles. Closing these gaps will require not only public sector commitment but also proactive support from investors, incubators and industry leaders.
As India looks toward its Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, one thing is increasingly clear: the future of Indian innovation is not just inclusive, it is female-led. And in that future, numbers don't just tell a story; they tell a revolution in progress.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
7 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Central projects will create a ‘developed Tamil Nadu', says Narendra Modi
The Union government-funded infrastructure projects being implemented in Tamil Nadu on an outlay of over ₹3 lakh crore will help the Centre realise its dream of achieving 'Viksit Tamil Nadu', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. Inaugurating the new terminal building at the Thoothukudi airport, he said his government, which had promised a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India), was according the highest priority for infrastructure development. Hence, the port, rail and energy sectors were getting an unprecedented facelift nationwide, from Jammu and Kashmir to Tamil Nadu. Mr. Modi said the Centre had released over ₹3 lakh crore since 2014 for strengthening Tamil Nadu's infrastructure to make it 'Developed Tamil Nadu'. This was three times higher than the funding provided by the previous United Progressive Alliance government to the State. He further said the north cargo berth at VOC Port, Thoothukudi; six-lane VOC Port Road; and four-lane Sethiyathope-Chozhapuram Highway would significantly catalyse the trade opportunities and employment generation for the locals. In an apparent reply to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's recent assertion that the Centre was refusing to allocate funds for Tamil Nadu, he said the thrust being given for infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu by the Centre in energy, road, rail, and port sectors would phenomenally expedite the State's growth while achieving the Centre's goal of 'Viksit Tamil Nadu'. He recalled that the National Democratic Alliance government had sanctioned 11 new medical colleges for Tamil Nadu, and the Centre was also developing harbours to improve their livelihood. Terming India's recent free trade agreement with the United Kingdom (U.K.) as 'historic', Mr. Modi said this agreement would open unprecedented export opportunities for Indian products. 'As more than 99% of the 'Make in India' products will be available in the U.K. at lower prices, the rise in demand will increase production in India and generate more employment in the micro and small industries here. It will enhance the world's faith in India, which will become the third largest economy in the world soon,' Mr. Modi said. He added that home-grown weapon systems, which were used in recent 'Operation Sindhoor', had destroyed the terrorists' hideouts and had given sleepless nights to the sponsors of terror. Governor R.N. Ravi, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, Tamil Nadu Ministers T.R.B. Rajaa, P. Geetha Jeevan, and Anita R. Radhakrishnan and MP Kanimozhi were among those present. State Finance Minister Thangam Thennerasu presented a memento to Mr. Modi on the occasion.


Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kin anxious as Punjab youth goes missing in Italy's Pontina
Amritsar: Concern and anxiety have gripped the family of Harmandeep Singh, a young man from Amritsar's Mahwa village, who has gone missing in Italy. Harmandeep, who went to Italy seven years ago and was working on a dairy farm in Pontina, reportedly went missing on July 22 while returning home from work. Since then, there has been no trace of him. On Thursday, Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar, Gurjit Singh Aujla, visited Harmandeep's residence and met with his father, Kabal Singh, to offer support and assure the family that every possible effort is being made to trace their missing son. Speaking to the media after the visit, Aujla said, "Continuous communication is being maintained with the Indian Embassy in Rome. I have personally contacted them, and they have confirmed that they are in touch with the local police. Indian nationals residing in the area are also being questioned as part of the investigation." The MP further said that the situation is being treated with urgency, and that both diplomatic and community channels are being mobilised. "We are hopeful that information about Harmandeep will emerge soon. His family is in deep distress, and we are doing everything we can to bring him back safely," Aujla added. Harmandeep's brother serves in the Indian Army, and he was scheduled to come home to attend his marriage in Dec, but this unexpected crisis has shaken them.


The Hindu
38 minutes ago
- The Hindu
West Bengal police launches helpline for migrant workers facing harassment in other States
Amidst reports of targeting of migrant workers from West Bengal in BJP-ruled States, the West Bengal police have started a helpline number for workers to seek assistance. Responding to the development, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari shared his email-id and added that any citizen of the State who is 'harassed by Mamata's police' may reach out to him. The West Bengal police in a social media post stated that they are receiving 'reports from various sources that many people from Bengal, who have gone to work in other states, are facing various problems and instances of harassment'. 'If any citizen from Bengal working in another state faces any kind of trouble, we appeal to them or their family members to immediately inform their local police station. You may also contact the district control room,' the police said in the post. The West Bengal police in the social media post said that the helpline number is 9147727666 which will be available only on WhatsApp and the people can send a message there with the necessary information, including your name and address. 'Each piece of information will be verified, and we will coordinate with the concerned state authorities to take the necessary action,' the police said. According to West Bengal Chief Minister about 1000 migrants from the State were detained in other States. There have been reports of detention of migrant workers in BJP ruled states on allegations of being Bangladeshi nationals. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari called the post by West Bengal police politically motivated to mislead Bengalis residing in various parts of India for work, so that they become alarmed and confused. 'Across the Indian subcontinent, Indian Bengalis and Hindu refugees are not facing any problems. However, Hindu Bengalis living in West Bengal are frequently harassed by the police. I appeal to them—and to Indian Hindus from other states, regardless of the language they speak, who are residing in any district of West Bengal for work—if you have been harassed by the police. (Mamata's police), please feel free to inform me with details via email,' the BJP leader posted on social media. Mr. Adhikari urged any aware citizen of West Bengal, 'if you come across information about Rohingya Muslims or illegal Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators residing in any district of West Bengal—please share the details with me at this email address My email ID is: adhikarisuvenduwb1@ '. 'I will ensure the information reaches the appropriate authorities,' the LOP said. Mr. Adhikari on Saturday claimed that there are 1.25 crore illegal immigrants in the voters' list of West Bengal, and all of them will be sent back following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the rolls.