Women Entrepreneurs of India Since Independence: Part 4: The Digital Age Visionaries (2015-Present) – Women Entrepreneurs Leading the Future

Introduction

The period from 2015 onwards has been marked by a startup boom in India, fueled by digital transformation, government initiatives like Startup India, and increased investor interest. Women entrepreneurs have been at the forefront of this wave, driving innovation in fintech, edtech, healthtech, and sustainability. This article explores the women entrepreneurs shaping India's business ecosystem today.

1. Ghazal Alagh: The Mompreneur Who Disrupted Skincare

Background

Ghazal Alagh, an artist and corporate professional, turned into an entrepreneur after struggling to find toxin-free baby care products.

Entrepreneurial Contributions

• Co-founded Mamaearth in 2016, India’s first Made Safe-certified skincare brand.
• Focused on chemical-free, natural products catering to young mothers and children.
• Expanded rapidly, becoming one of India’s most trusted direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands.

Legacy

Her brand has revolutionized skincare, proving that consumer-driven businesses can succeed with sustainability and transparency.

2. Vineeta Singh: The Queen of Direct-to-Consumer Beauty

Background

An IIM Ahmedabad graduate, Vineeta Singh was determined to build her own business despite lucrative job offers.

Entrepreneurial Contributions

• Founded Sugar Cosmetics in 2015, creating a makeup brand designed for Indian skin tones.
• Used social media and influencer marketing to build a strong consumer base.
• Expanded from online to offline retail, capturing a large market share.

Legacy

Sugar Cosmetics became a household name, setting benchmarks for direct-to-consumer beauty brands in India.

3. Divya Gokulnath: Revolutionizing EdTech

Background

A former educator, Divya Gokulnath co-founded BYJU’S with her husband to transform learning experiences.

Entrepreneurial Contributions

• Played a key role in making BYJU’S India’s largest edtech platform.
• Focused on digital-first, engaging learning solutions for students.
• Led major acquisitions, expanding BYJU’S reach internationally.

Legacy

BYJU’S redefined education accessibility, shaping how students learn in the digital era.

4. Upasana Taku: Fintech Pioneer

Background

Upasana Taku, a Stanford graduate, saw an opportunity to simplify digital payments in India.

Entrepreneurial Contributions

• Co-founded MobiKwik, making digital wallets and payments seamless for millions of users.
• Focused on financial inclusion, especially for small businesses and underserved communities.
• Expanded services to include buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) and lending solutions.

Legacy

Her work has strengthened India’s digital payment ecosystem, bridging the gap between banking and technology.

End Notes:

The post-2015 era has witnessed an unprecedented surge in women-led startups, with digital-first business models transforming industries. These entrepreneurs are not only driving financial success but also inspiring the next generation of women to take the leap into business.

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