Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs - Inspiring Stories of 10 Global Unicorn Businesswomen

As the world gears up to commemorate International Women's Day, the spotlight turns to the countless tales of resilience, determination, and unwavering strength that define the essence of womanhood. From the unyielding courage of trailblazers who fought for suffrage to the groundbreaking achievements of modern-day pioneers in science, business, and beyond, the journey of women has been one of remarkable evolution and empowerment. Yet, amidst the celebration, it's crucial to acknowledge the persistent barriers that continue to hinder progress. This Women's Day, let us unite in solidarity to dismantle these barriers, forge pathways to equality, and honor the indomitable spirit of women everywhere.

The term "unicorn" refers to start-up companies that have reached a valuation of over $1 billion dollars. Coined by Aileen Lee, the founder of Cowboy Ventures, the term was initially used to emphasize the rarity of such high-valued start-ups. However, in today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the number of companies achieving unicorn status has grown significantly, surpassing expectations from when the term was first introduced.

What was once considered an exceptional feat has become more commonplace, with numerous start-ups joining the unicorn club each year. The proliferation of unicorn companies reflects the growing influence and innovation within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These companies often disrupt traditional industries, introduce groundbreaking technologies, and attract substantial investment from venture capitalists and other investors.

Despite the increasing prevalence of unicorn companies, achieving such status remains a significant milestone for start-ups, symbolizing their potential for growth, success, and impact on the global economy. The term "unicorn" continues to captivate the imagination of entrepreneurs, investors, and the general public, representing the aspiration to create transformative and game-changing businesses in today's competitive market landscape.

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The Evolution of Women-Led Start-ups in the Unicorn Era

A change is indeed underway in the world of entrepreneurship, particularly in the realm of women-led start-ups. As of August 2021, the landscape has witnessed a notable shift, with 39 private companies founded or co-founded by women reaching the prestigious $1 billion valuation mark. This represents approximately 12% of all unicorn companies, signifying a significant milestone for gender diversity and inclusion in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The emergence of these women-led unicorn start-ups highlights the growing influence and impact of female entrepreneurs in shaping the future of business and innovation. Each of these companies has its own unique story of perseverance, resilience, and ingenuity, showcasing the remarkable achievements of women founders and co-founders in various industries.

From technology and healthcare to finance and consumer goods, these successful women-led start-ups have disrupted traditional industries, introduced groundbreaking solutions, and attracted significant investment from venture capitalists and other stakeholders. Their stories serve as inspiration and empowerment for aspiring female entrepreneurs, encouraging them to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and break barriers in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of these pioneering women, it is evident that the future of entrepreneurship is increasingly diverse, inclusive, and driven by innovation. By amplifying the voices and successes of women founders, we can continue to foster a culture of empowerment and equality in the entrepreneurial community, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to thrive and succeed in the ever-evolving business landscape.

Here is a look to successful startups founded by Women

Falguni Nayar, Nykaa

Falguni Nayar, a former banker turned start-up founder, has made waves in the fashion e-commerce industry with her company Nykaa. Established in 2012, Nykaa quickly became a household name in India, offering a wide range of makeup, cosmetics, clothing, and accessories to its customers. The company's name, derived from the Sanskrit term for 'heroine', reflects Nayar's vision to fill a gap in the then scarce market for makeup and cosmetics e-commerce.

Under Nayar's leadership, Nykaa experienced rapid growth and expansion, solidifying its position as a leader in the fashion e-commerce sector. In less than a decade, Nayar's entrepreneurial venture has transformed into a billion-dollar empire, making her one of the few Indian women billionaires.

Recently, Nykaa made headlines with its initial public offering (IPO), seeking a valuation of over $7 billion. This significant milestone underscores the company's remarkable journey and Nayar's visionary leadership, positioning Nykaa as a major player in the global fashion and beauty industry. As Nykaa continues to thrive and evolve, Falguni Nayar's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation serve as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs around the world.

Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble

Whitney Wolfe Herd, the innovative entrepreneur behind Bumble, has made a significant impact on the world of online dating and social networking. As the founder and CEO of Bumble, Wolfe Herd has revolutionized the way people connect and interact online, particularly in the realm of dating and relationships.

Established in 2014, Bumble quickly gained popularity for its unique approach to online dating, empowering women to make the first move and initiate conversations. This distinctive feature set Bumble apart from other dating apps, attracting millions of users worldwide and propelling the company to unicorn status within a few years of its launch.

In February 2021, Bumble made headlines with its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO), which valued the company at an estimated $14 billion. This remarkable valuation underscored Bumble's status as a major player in the online dating industry and solidified Whitney Wolfe Herd's position as one of the most influential women entrepreneurs of her generation.

Wolfe Herd's visionary leadership and commitment to empowering women have been instrumental in Bumble's success, inspiring millions of users to embrace the app's mission of promoting kindness, equality, and respect in online interactions. As Bumble continues to grow and evolve, Whitney Wolfe Herd's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to creating positive social change serve as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.

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Melanie Perkins, Canva?

Melanie Perkins is the co-founder and CEO of Canva, a graphic design platform that has transformed the way people create and collaborate on visual content. Perkins, along with her co-founders Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams, launched Canva in 2012 with a vision to democratize design and make it accessible to everyone, regardless of their skill level.

Under Perkins' leadership, Canva has experienced explosive growth, becoming one of the world's most valuable privately-held technology companies. The platform offers a user-friendly interface and a vast library of templates, photos, and graphics, empowering users to design anything from social media graphics and presentations to posters and flyers with ease.

Perkins' entrepreneurial journey began at a young age when she started her first business, Fusion Books, while still in college. This experience inspired her to create Canva, driven by a desire to simplify the design process and empower individuals and businesses to unleash their creativity.

Today, Canva boasts over 60 million active users across 190 countries and has been valued at over $40 billion dollars, making it one of Australia's most successful tech exports. Perkins' leadership and vision have earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Forbes' "30 Under 30" and Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People."

Through Canva, Melanie Perkins has redefined the graphic design industry, democratizing access to powerful design tools and empowering millions of people to bring their ideas to life. Her entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring founders and innovators worldwide, demonstrating the transformative impact of passion, perseverance, and vision.

Before founding Canva, Melanie Perkins started her entrepreneurial journey at 19, launching Fusion Books from her mother's living room. Fusion Books is an online platform for schools to design yearbooks and has a presence in Australia, New Zealand, and France. This early venture laid the foundation for Perkins' future success.

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Amy Pressman, Medallia?

Amy Pressman is the co-founder and former President of Medallia, a leading customer experience management platform. With a background in economics and a passion for technology, Pressman co-founded Medallia in 2001 with the aim of helping businesses better understand and improve their customer experiences.

Under Pressman's leadership, Medallia has grown into a global powerhouse, serving over a thousand of the world's leading brands across industries such as retail, hospitality, financial services, and healthcare. The platform collects and analyzes customer feedback from various channels, including surveys, social media, and online reviews, to provide actionable insights and drive business growth.

Pressman's dedication to innovation and customer-centricity has been instrumental in Medallia's success. She played a pivotal role in shaping the company's culture and values, emphasizing the importance of empathy, integrity, and collaboration in delivering exceptional customer experiences.

In 2019, Medallia went public, marking a significant milestone for the company and solidifying its position as a leader in the customer experience management space. Pressman's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to driving positive change have earned her recognition as one of the most influential women in tech.

Pressman continues to inspire and empower others through her work as an investor, advisor, and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Her legacy at Medallia serves as a testament to the power of innovation, leadership, and a relentless focus on customer success.

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Sarah Leary, Nextdoor?

Sarah Leary is the co-founder of Nextdoor, a private social network for neighborhoods. With a background in technology and entrepreneurship, Leary co-founded Nextdoor in 2011 with the goal of creating a platform that connects neighbors and fosters a sense of community.

Under Leary's leadership, Nextdoor has grown into one of the largest and most influential social networking platforms, with millions of users across the globe. The platform allows neighbors to communicate, share information, and collaborate on various issues, ranging from local events and recommendations to safety concerns and community initiatives.

Nextdoor's unique approach to social networking, centered around geographic proximity and shared interests, has resonated with users worldwide and has led to the platform's impressive growth and success.

In 2021, Nextdoor went public through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger, valuing the company at approximately $2.2 billion. This significant milestone underscored Nextdoor's position as a major player in the social media landscape and solidified Leary's status as a pioneering entrepreneur in the tech industry.

Sarah Leary's visionary leadership and commitment to building communities have earned her recognition as one of the most influential women in technology. Her entrepreneurial journey with Nextdoor serves as an inspiration for aspiring founders and innovators, demonstrating the power of technology to bring people together and create positive social impact at the local level.

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Liu Nan, Mia?

Liu Nan is the co-founder and CEO of Mia.com, a leading e-commerce platform specializing in maternal and infant products. With a background in finance and a passion for entrepreneurship, Liu Nan co-founded Mia.com in 2011 with the mission of providing high-quality, affordable products for mothers and babies.

Under Liu Nan's leadership, Mia.com has experienced rapid growth and has become one of the most trusted and popular online destinations for maternal and infant care products in China. The platform offers a wide range of products, including baby clothing, toys, diapers, and maternity essentials, catering to the needs of new and expecting mothers.

Liu Nan's entrepreneurial vision and commitment to customer satisfaction have been instrumental in Mia.com's success. She has focused on building strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure the quality and authenticity of products sold on the platform, earning the trust and loyalty of millions of customers.

In 2017, Mia.com reached unicorn status, achieving a valuation of over $1 billion. This milestone solidified the company's position as a major player in the e-commerce industry and underscored Liu Nan's status as a successful female entrepreneur in China.

Liu Nan's dedication to innovation and excellence continues to drive Mia.com's growth and success, as the company expands its product offerings and reaches new customers both domestically and internationally. Her entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring female founders and innovators, demonstrating the potential for women to succeed in the highly competitive world of e-commerce.

Kathryn Petralia, Kabbage?

Kathryn Petralia is the co-founder and President of Kabbage Inc., a financial technology company that provides small businesses with access to funding and financial services. With a background in banking and finance, Petralia co-founded Kabbage in 2009 with the vision of leveraging technology to democratize access to capital for small businesses.

Under Petralia's leadership, Kabbage has become a leading provider of online lending solutions, offering lines of credit, working capital loans, and other financial products to millions of small businesses across the United States and beyond. The company's innovative platform uses advanced algorithms and data analytics to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers quickly and accurately, enabling businesses to access funds in minutes rather than weeks.

Petralia's entrepreneurial vision and commitment to serving the needs of small businesses have been instrumental in Kabbage's success. She has focused on building partnerships with banks and financial institutions to expand Kabbage's reach and impact, while also advocating for policies that support entrepreneurship and economic growth.

In 2015, Kabbage reached unicorn status, achieving a valuation of over $1 billion. This milestone solidified the company's position as a major player in the fintech industry and underscored Petralia's status as a pioneering female entrepreneur in technology.

Petralia's dedication to innovation and empowering small businesses continues to drive Kabbage's growth and success, as the company expands its product offerings and reaches new markets around the world. Her entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring founders and innovators, demonstrating the transformative power of technology in the financial services industry.

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Julia Hartz, Eventbrite?

Julia Hartz is the co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, a global ticketing and event technology platform that has revolutionized the way people discover and attend live events. With a background in television production and technology, Hartz co-founded Eventbrite in 2006 with her husband Kevin Hartz and Renaud Visage, aiming to create a platform that democratizes access to live experiences.

Under Hartz's leadership, Eventbrite has grown into one of the world's largest event technology platforms, serving millions of event organizers and attendees in over 180 countries. The platform offers a seamless and user-friendly solution for event planning, ticketing, and promotion, empowering organizers to host a wide range of events, from small community gatherings to large-scale festivals and conferences.

Hartz's entrepreneurial vision and commitment to innovation have been instrumental in Eventbrite's success. She has focused on building strong relationships with event organizers and attendees, while also leveraging data and technology to enhance the event discovery and ticketing experience.

In 2018, Eventbrite went public, achieving a valuation of over $1 billion. This milestone solidified the company's position as a leader in the event technology industry and underscored Hartz's status as a pioneering female entrepreneur in technology.

Hartz's dedication to empowering event organizers and attendees continues to drive Eventbrite's growth and success, as the company expands its reach and introduces new features and services to enhance the event experience. Her entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring founders and innovators, demonstrating the transformative power of technology in the events industry.

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Miranda Qu, Little Red Book?

Miranda Qu is the co-founder and CEO of Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu), a social e-commerce platform that has transformed the way Chinese consumers discover and shop for products. With a background in finance and a passion for entrepreneurship, Qu co-founded Little Red Book in 2013 with the vision of creating a platform that combines social networking with e-commerce.

Under Qu's leadership, Little Red Book has grown into one of China's most popular and influential social commerce platforms, boasting millions of active users and a wide range of products across categories such as fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and travel. The platform allows users to discover and share product recommendations, reviews, and shopping tips, creating a vibrant community of engaged consumers.

Qu's entrepreneurial vision and innovative approach to social commerce have been instrumental in Little Red Book's success. She has focused on building strong relationships with brands and influencers, while also leveraging data and technology to personalize the shopping experience and drive user engagement.

In 2019, Little Red Book achieved unicorn status, reaching a valuation of over $1 billion. This milestone solidified the company's position as a major player in the Chinese e-commerce industry and underscored Qu's status as a pioneering female entrepreneur in technology.

Qu's dedication to empowering consumers and driving innovation in social commerce continues to drive Little Red Book's growth and success, as the platform expands its reach and introduces new features and services to enhance the shopping experience. Her entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring founders and innovators, demonstrating the transformative power of technology in the retail industry.

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Michelle Zatlyn, Cloudflare?

Michelle Zatlyn is the co-founder and COO of Cloudflare, a leading web infrastructure and security company that powers millions of websites worldwide. With a background in business and technology, Zatlyn co-founded Cloudflare in 2009 with Matthew Prince and Lee Holloway, with the aim of making the internet faster, safer, and more reliable for everyone.

Under Zatlyn's leadership, Cloudflare has grown into one of the world's largest and most trusted providers of internet security and performance solutions. The company's suite of products includes content delivery, DDoS mitigation, DNS, and cybersecurity services, helping businesses of all sizes protect their online assets and deliver a faster and more secure web experience to their users.

Zatlyn's entrepreneurial vision and dedication to innovation have been instrumental in Cloudflare's success. She has played a key role in shaping the company's culture and values, emphasizing transparency, customer-centricity, and continuous improvement.

In 2019, Cloudflare went public, achieving a valuation of over $1 billion.

Ankiti Bose, Zilingo?

Ankiti Bose is the co-founder and CEO of Zilingo, a fashion and lifestyle e-commerce platform that has disrupted the traditional supply chain in the fashion industry. With a background in finance and consulting, Bose co-founded Zilingo in 2015 with Dhruv Kapoor, with the aim of providing a platform for small merchants and manufacturers to reach a global audience.

Under Bose's leadership, Zilingo has grown into one of Southeast Asia's largest fashion and lifestyle marketplaces, connecting millions of sellers and buyers across the region. The platform offers a wide range of products, including clothing, accessories, beauty products, and home goods, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.

Bose's entrepreneurial vision and commitment to empowering small businesses have been instrumental in Zilingo's success. She has focused on building strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers, while also leveraging technology to streamline the supply chain and improve the shopping experience for customers.

Although Zilingo's estimated value is less than $1 billion, Bose's leadership and vision have earned her recognition as one of the most influential women entrepreneurs in Asia. Her dedication to innovation and social impact continues to drive Zilingo's growth and success, as the company expands its reach and introduces new initiatives to support small businesses and promote sustainability in the fashion industry.

Unicorns, once mythical creatures, now walk among us as emblematic figures of achievement. These women have defied norms, shattered glass ceilings, and manifested their dreams into reality, becoming real-life unicorns in the realm of entrepreneurship. Their journeys illuminate pathways for others, instilling hope and courage to challenge conventions. As we celebrate their triumphs, let us seek out more inspiring tales of perseverance and innovation. In their stories lies the power to inspire, to transform perceptions, and to pave the way for a future where barriers are broken, and dreams are realized by all who dare to pursue them.

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