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Top women entrepreneurs of 2025 who made a difference

Key Takeaways

Women entrepreneurs are shaping India’s business landscape, as featured in the ‘IDFC FIRST Private & Hurun India’s Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2024’ report.
Ruchi Kalra, Ghazal Alagh, and Kavitha Subramanian lead high-growth companies in diverse industries.
Rajoshi Ghosh and Falguni Nayar stand out for their innovation and leadership. Their inspiring stories motivate others to pursue entrepreneurial dreams.

18 Dec 2024 by Team FinFIRST

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India’s business landscape is undergoing a dynamic shift, with startups turning unicorns and more companies going public. Trailblazing women entrepreneurs are at the forefront of this transformation. Female entrepreneurship is no longer just a rising trend; it's a powerful movement shaping the future of India.

IDFC FIRST Private Banking & Hurun India 2024 celebrates these trailblazers. These inspiring stories showcase the grit, innovation, and vision that sets them apart. Let’s dive into the achievements of five top women entrepreneurs making an indelible mark on the business world.

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Top women entrepreneurs of India

Here is a look at the top women entrepreneurs of the country and their achievements that have put them on the map –

1. Falguni Nayar

Falguni Nayar, the founder of Nykaa, ranks 1^st among the ‘Top 10 Self-Made Women Entrepreneurs’. With a valuation of ₹56,600 crores, her company has continued to show positive growth from the previous year.

Some of her achievements include –

At the age of 50, while at the peak of her career as Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Capital, Nayar took the bold step of leaving her secure position to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams
In 2012, she founded Nykaa, an online beauty and wellness retailer that has grown into one of India's largest e-commerce platforms. Today, Nykaa offers over 1,000 brands across cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and wellness
Nykaa has become a key player in India's lifestyle and fashion industry.
An IIM-Ahmedabad graduate with an MBA in Finance, she is recognised for her sharp business strategies and leadership that transformed Nykaa into a leading e-commerce success story

2. Ruchi Kalra

A pioneering women entrepreneur, Ruchi Kalra, holds fifth in the ‘Top Self-Made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2024 – Top 10 Youngest Women’ in the IDFC FIRST Private Hurun India 2024 report. She is the co-founder and CFO of OfBusiness, a B2B (Business-to-Business) platform that sells raw materials and industrial supplies.

Here are some of her achievements –

Kalra has co-founded two unicorn startups in India – OfBusiness and Oxyzo
Her companies have crossed the valuation of ₹52,000 crores
Ruchi Kalra completed a B.Tech from IIT Delhi and an MBA from the Indian School of Business. After studies, she worked at McKinsey for more than eight years
In the financial year 2022, her company OfBusiness’s revenue increased to $5 billion compared to ₹1,349 crores a year earlier. Valued at ₹19.76 crores in the financial year 2021, OfBusiness grew to ₹125.63 crores in the financial year 2022
The net worth of Kalra is reportedly ₹2,600 crores

3. Ghazal Alagh

Ghazal Alagh is among the Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs, ranking 56th among ‘‘IDFC FIRST Private & Hurun India’s Top 200 Self-Made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2024’. As the co-founder of Mamaearth, a natural and toxin-free personal care brand, Ghazal has played a pivotal role in its rapid success.

Here are her achievements –

Mamaearth, founded in 2016 alongside her husband Varun Alagh, has achieved an impressive market valuation of ₹15,500 crores
Known for her expertise in product innovation and creativity, Ghazal’s leadership has been instrumental in the growth of her company
Before Mamaearth, Ghazal had a diverse career as a Corporate Trainer at NIIT and founded Dietexpert in 2012
Her journey stands as one of the inspiring stories of young women entrepreneurs who balance art, innovation, and business acumen to create one of India's leading personal care brands

4. Rajoshi Ghosh

Rajoshi Ghosh is featured in the ‘Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs’. She also ranks 112th in ‘IDFC FIRST Private & Hurun India's Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2024’. As the co-founder of Hasura, a tech company valued at ₹8,300 crore, Rajoshi has made significant strides in the tech industry.

Here are her achievements –

She leads the Serial Entrepreneurs list, having successfully founded six companies, highlighting her entrepreneurial acumen
Along with Tanmai Gopal, Rajoshi has propelled Hasura into a leader in the tech industry, recognised for its cutting-edge technologies and innovative approach to software development
Hasura’s growth has been exceptional, raising $100 million in 2022, reflecting the remarkable growth of startups in India and the global tech sector
With her strategic vision and commercial expertise, Rajoshi symbolises triumph. She exemplifies the limitless potential of women in the rapidly evolving startup ecosystem

5. Kavitha Subramanian

Kavitha Subramanian, co-founder of Upstox, ranks 4th among the ‘Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs’ in the ‘IDFC FIRST Private & Hurun India's Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2024’ report. Her company is valued at an impressive ₹28,200 crores.

Here are her achievements –

Upstox, founded in 2009, is ranked 29th in the ‘IDFC FIRST Private & Hurun India's Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2024’
Upstox, known initially as RKSV Securities India Pvt Ltd, is a leading online discount brokerage firm that provides trading and investment services to retail investors
Subramanian, as a co-founder, plays a key role in the company's growth, strategy, finance, and customer experience, contributing to its rise as a significant player in India’s financial services sector
With a focus on technologically advanced platforms, Upstox ensures a seamless trading experience for users, driving its success
Her inspiring journey as a young woman entrepreneur highlights the potential of innovative financial services in India's startup ecosystem

Breaking glass ceilings, one milestone at a time!

These women entrepreneurs are living proof that with determination, innovation, and resilience, any dream is within reach. Their inspiring stories encourage women nationwide to break barriers, take bold steps, and excel in their chosen fields. From female entrepreneurship to leadership, they’re paving the way for others to follow.

Whatever your ambition, take a leaf out of these women’s books. Spread your wings and fly. With IDFC FIRST Private Banking, the financial support you need to achieve your dreams is always within reach.

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