Do you think that only men can be successful at doing business and being in higher roles in the business scene? Well, that used to be the case decades ago, especially in a country like India, but now, things have changed quite a bit. The stereotypes are breaking right in front of our eyes, and sure, India may be a patriarchal society just like the rest of the world, but still, there are more chances for women to succeed in the business scene right now than ever before. That’s precisely why we’ll be taking a good look at the top 10 inspiring businesswomen in India as of 2025 and their life story a bit up close. So, here we go.
1. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Biocon)
Did you know that Biocon was set up in a garage with just ₹10,000? Could you believe it? Like, today, it has grown into a global biotech giant, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the woman behind this amazing story. In the year 1978, Kiran had to face the problems of funding and gender bias, yet she chose to persevere. Today, though, Biocon is not just a pride for India but the first Indian company to get FDA approval for a biosimilar! In addition to all of this, she has also received the Padma Bhushan award and is featured in Forbes’s Most Powerful Women list.
2. Falguni Nayar (Nykaa)
Who said big beginnings can’t start after 50? As if starting Nykaa wasn’t enough, Falguni Nayar did it at an age when most of them would think about slowing down, you know? From an investment banker to the ruling queen of India’s beauty e-commerce space, her journey is nothing short of inspiring. Nykaa made online beauty shopping so tedious, and when it went public in 2021, Falguni ended up being India’s richest self-made woman. If this isn’t the ultimate glow-up story, then we have no idea what is!
3. Richa Kar (Zivame)
Have you ever felt a little uncomfortable buying your lingerie from a crowded store, especially right here in India? Well, sure enough, Richa Kar certainly did, and that’s precisely why she decided to solve it altogether by founding Zivame, a place where women can shop online. Came into existence back in 2011, the idea brought Richa face-to-face with societal taboos and personal challenges to transform Zivame into a huge brand that we now know. Today, the conceptualization has become empowerment for women, choice, body positivity, and freedom of shopping confidence.
4. Divya Gokulnath (BYJU’S)
From a teacher to co-founding the world’s most valuable edtech company, the journey of Divya Gokulnath is nothing short of phenomenal. Like, she was joined by Byju Raveendran to start BYJU’S to bring some fun into learning and to make it engaging for students, and as of 2025, they have reached over 150 million students globally, just so you know. Whether learning for kids with help during the pandemic or building India’s largest education platform, Divya showed that really enthusiastic teaching can work globally.
5. Upasana Taku (MobiKwik)
You see, way before anyone thought about it, Upasana Taku co-founded MobiKwik in 2009. Sure enough, from mobile recharges to loans and insurance, MobiKwik cemented its identity amidst stiff competition. The story goes that she entered her mark in it by proving that resilience and innovative thinking could create such a platform serving millions. And with that said, yes, Upasana Taku surely deserves a spot on this list for co-founding one of the most used UPI and online payment apps in the country.
6. Aditi Gupta (Menstrupedia)
Periods are as natural phenomena as any other but in many regions of India, talking about them is still taboo, are you aware of that? Well, Aditi Gupta has identified the opportunity to change it with Menstrupedia. Emerging from dry discussions in 2012, her comic books and workshops have provided the very touch of fun, and relatability to menstruation education. Just so you know though, at the moment, Menstrupedia works with schools and NGOs across India to break taboos so that millions of young adolescent girls can reach out.
7. Suchi Mukherjee (LimeRoad)
Who said that shopping can’t be a social thing? Well, if you think that way, just get to know about LimeRoad and you’ll know why. The whole credit goes to Suchi who has had a stint with Skype and eBay. Like, she became an instant hit for having brought this innovative idea to India in 2012 since LimeRoad went on to become a craze among people for being just so trendy yet affordable.
8. Ritu Kumar (Fashion Designer)
Next on the list, you see, when we talk about Indian fashion, we are actually referring to the old lady of Indian fashion, Ritu Kumar. Like, from the early 60s, her work was fabulous in making Indian textiles and designs turn out to be an international trend. Sure enough, be it bridal or contemporary, there is something about her work that speaks volumes regarding heritage and class, and that’s precisely what makes her work super special.
9. Vandana Luthra (VLCC)
Imagine the idea: the combination of beauty and wellness was unheard of until 1989 when Vandana Luthra changed the game with her VLCC, you know? Like, from that 1 single centre in Delhi where she started, she opened it out to a global brand incorporating everything from weight management to skincare products, and that’s a pure hit right now in the country.
10. Naiyya Saggi (BabyChakra)
When BabyChakra and Naiyya Saggi came into the picture, the concept of parenting became so much easier in India. How and why? Well, just so you know, founded in 2014, the platform is now for parents and features everything from expert advice to health services and even trustworthy products. Naiyya’s idea was to make early parenting less difficult and better supported.
Conclusion
That’s all. Sure enough, there are so many other inspiring businesswomen in India that you should get to know a little more about, but by far, these are the top inspiring businesswomen in India as of 2025. We have done our part by briefly mentioning what they’re famous for, now it is your turn to get to know a little more about their life story.
