Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs In India 2020

India is and has always been tagged as a patriarchal society dictated by the males. To thrive as a woman is hard in a male dominant society like India, which still upholds the traditions like a trophy. To soar high in a society where women are neglected is challenging and struggling as well. But these ladies have made it to the top crossing all the obstacles and barriers. If you are a perplexed Millenial, depressed with family and society pressures, these Top 10 female entrepreneurs in India 2020 will inspire you, aspire you and will definitely boost your spirits.

1. – Founder of VLCC
2. – Founder Of Nyka
3. Ritu Kumar– Fashion Designer 
4. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw– Founder of Biocon Limited
5. Shradha Sharma– Founder Of Yourstory
6. Aditi Gupta- Co-founder of Menstrupedia. 
7.  Co-Founder And Head Of Products, Chumbak
8. Supriya Paul– Founder of Josh Talks
9. Radhika Ghai Aggarwal – Co-Founder & CMO, Shopclues.com
10. Shahnaz Hussian – CEO of Shahnaz Herbals

VandaraLuthra is the founder of VLCC, a beauty and wellness giant which has its presence in 11 countries including Asia, Africa and GCC. One of the leading top 10 female entrepreneurs in India. Previously a homemaker, she started her journey in the year 1989. She is also running an NGO named Khushi, which provides education to physically challenged and unprivileged children.

Awards: Padma Shri, Woman Entrepreneur Award, FICCI Successful, Business Woman Award, Amity Woman Achievers Award, Outstanding, Business Woman Award, Rajeev Gandhi Women Achiever Award.

FalguniNayar is the founder and CEO of the Nyka, which is a company that sells online cosmetics and wellness products. She was working as an investment banker in Kodak Mahindra; and then left the job to pursue her dream of starting her own company. Now that company has more than 850 brands and has introduced 35 physical stores.

Awards: The Most Powerful Women In Business 2017, Woman Ahead (2017).

Ritu Kumar is a well known Indian fashion designer who is currently the owner of three labels- Ritu Kumar’, ‘Ri’ and ‘LABEL Ritu Kumar. Born in a middle-class family with liberal views, she started her designing career in Kolkata. Initially, she was making bridal clothes but later on, she stepped to the international market where she flourished like there is no tomorrow. Now with 35 stores across the world, she is being recognised globally with Bollywood & International celebrities customers for her designs.

Awards: Padma Shri award by the Government of India (2013), Achievement Award at L’oreal Paris Femina Women’s Awards (2012).

Known as India’s wealthiest self-made woman, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is the 54th richest person and world’s 65th powerful woman(2019). Kiran is the chairperson and managing director of a biotechnology company called Biocon Limited, which is the first company to get approval from the USFDA.

Awards: Othmer Gold Medal (2014), Nikkei Asia Prize (2009), ‘VeuveClicquot Initiative For Economic Development For Asia’ Award (2007), Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Australia’s highest civilian honour, Padma Shri (1989), Padma Bhushan (2005), Economic Times Award for Businesswoman of the Year in 2004, Global Indian Woman of the Year (2012), Express Pharmaceutical Leadership Summit Award for Dynamic Entrepreneur in 2009, The Indian Merchants’ Chamber Diamond Jubilee Endowment Trust’s Eminent Businessperson of the Year Award, Indian Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award (2005), the ‘Corporate Leadership Award’ by the American India Foundation (2005) and the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (2002).

Sharadha Sharma is the founder of Yourstory, a digital platform that showcases stories that aids startups and entrepreneurs. She was working as the Vice president of CNBC before starting this digital business.

Awards: NASSCOM Ecosystem Evangelist Award, Villgro Journalist of the Year Award in 2010 for her coverage of startups, Listed amongst 500 LinkedIn Influencers across the world, L’Oreal Paris Femina Award’ for online influence, PAT Memorial Outstanding Alumnus Award, LinkedIn’s most viewed CEOs under Internet category.

Aditi Gupta is the author and the co-founder of Menstrupedia. She, along with her husband, created this book to educate girls about the menstruation. Later on, they collaborated with whisper India after launching their website menstrupedia.com. The book has gained a lot of success which is why it has been translated to Spanish and Nepali. They are also used by schools like Bright English School Ahmedabad, EcoleMondiale World School, GlS Primary school, etc.

Awards: Forbes India 30 Under 30 in 2014

ShubhraChadda is the co-founder of the famous lifestyle store Chumbak, which is currently having 20 large-format stores in 11 cities. She started everything from scratch once she quit her job and was a full-time mom. She had this idea of entrepreneurship since 2004 while working at technology company NetApp.

Awards: ET Startup Awards, Iconic Women Creating A Better World For All, Young Entrepreneur Of The Year

With a vision to do something for the people who are in the competition race and to inspire the youths, Supriya Paul, a CA graduate, started Josh Talks. People from different walks of life such as social activists, business leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, academics, administrators, sportspeople, authors, musicians, actors and other artists do speeches in the Josh talks which mostly detail about their life and journey.

Awards: Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia – Media, Super Startup Asia – 2018, Top 100 Startups 2018 – Sutra HR, She ThePeople Digital Women Award ’17 For Best Content Creation, Most Influential Youth Marketing, Leader’ 18- World Brand Congress, WEF’17- Iconic Women Creating A Better World For All, Young Entrepreneur Of The Year- Women In Business Award ’17

Radhika Agarwal is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in India. With 15 years of marketing experience, she started the company in Silicon Valley, and now it serves more than 9 thousand cities with 7 million monthly visitors on the website.

Awards: Outlook Business Woman Of Worth At Outlook Business Awards, Woman Entrepreneur Of The Year At Entrepreneur India Awards, Exemplary Woman Entrepreneur Of The Year At CMO Asia Awards, CEO Of The Year Award At CEO India Awards.

Known as the “Queen of Herbal Beauty Care”, Shahnaz Hussain is the most prominent businesswoman in India. She has her business running over 138 countries, which has around 600 franchises and associated clinics across the world. Shahnaz Hussain got married at a very early age (16 years), but she fought all odds to reach where she is today.

Awards: Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur, International “World’s Greatest Entrepreneur” award, National Padmashri Award, International Leonardo da Vinci Diamond Award, National Woman of Substance Award, National Lifetime Leadership Achievement Award, International Outstanding Ayurvedic Innovation Award, International Olympia Asia Award, International Glory of India Award in Dubai, International Golden Peacock Entrepreneurial Leadership Award, National Entrepreneur India Award 2015, National “Woman Super Achiever” Award in Mumbai, National Ayurveda Innovation Award.

Indeed, women as an entrepreneur face a lot of challenges than its male counterpart as they have to cope up with family balance and financial struggles. Fortunately, time and thoughts are changing as we have come a long way to this century; however, there is still room of more equality and acceptance. As you can see from the above dames, strong determination, ambition, and passion lead to success. So, don’t lose your hopes or don’t let your society decide what is right for you.

Strive towards your passion and be the next one on this list of Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs In India 2020.