Navdeep
In the past couple of decades, the status of women in Indian society changed drastically. Today, Women playing a vital role in the growth of the Indian economy and have made a big impact and got success in almost every sector. Here I have listed the 10 most famous female Entrepreneurs of India, who have boosted the Indian economy and inspired other women.
1. Vandana Luthra – The Founder of VLCC
Vandana Luthra is a well-known Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist who also leads the Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council (B&WSSC). Back in 1989, she took a bold step and launched VLCC—a wellness and slimming center that later turned into a global name.
Later, she added more services such as hair build, full-body laser, grooming and Dermat services.
In April 2013, the President of India at the time, Pranab Mukherjee, honored her with the prestigious Padma Shri award for her contributions to the wellness industry.
Vandana Luthra also running NGO called Khushii, which offers a scholarship for free education to those who are underprivileged and physically challenged. I put her in the top on this list of most famous female entrepreneurs.
2. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Founder of Biocon Limited
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is known as India’s wealthiest self-made woman who found a biopharmaceutical firm in 1978. VLCC has also made its way into the U.S. biosimilars market, sparking the interest of several major investors. As per Forbes, it is the first company to get approval from the USFDA.
She has put big fortune to build deep R&D- based biotech firm. By 2019, Vandana earned a spot among India’s richest personalities, ranking as the 54th wealthiest in the country. She also appeared on the global radar as the 65th most powerful woman in the world.
Her academic journey took her through Bangalore University for her bachelor’s degree and Melbourne University for her master’s.
3. Padma Shree Awardee, Priya Paul– Chairperson of Park Hotel
Priya Paul is an Indian woman Entrepreneur who is chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra park hotels. Before her rise in the beauty and wellness space, she studied at Wellesley College in the U.S. and began her professional career under her father’s guidance as a marketing manager. At 51, she was already being hailed as one of the most inspiring and impactful women around.
Interestingly, according to Wikipedia, in 2012, someone named Paul also received India’s prestigious Padma Shri award from then-President Pratibha Patil—another proud moment in the country’s celebration of excellence.
4. Padma Shree Awardee, Ritu Kumar – Fashion Designer
Ritu Kumar is one of India’s most iconic fashion designers who kicked off her creative journey in Kolkata. In her early days, she specialized in bridal wear and elegant evening attire, blending traditional artistry with contemporary flair.
Her talent quickly gained international attention, allowing her to expand her label into global fashion hubs like France and New York.
In recognition of her work, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri award in 2013.
As for her education, Ritu studied at Loreto Convent and graduated from Lady Irwin College. Later, she earned a scholarship to Briarcliff College in New York, where she pursued a degree in Art History—further fueling her passion for fashion and culture.
5. Suchi Mukherjee – Founder & CEO of Limeroad
Suchi Mukherjee is the visionary behind Limeroad, one of India’s trendiest online destinations for fashion and lifestyle products. She launched the platform in 2012 with a mission to make style accessible to everyone, and it quickly became a favorite among both men and women.
Academically, Suchi holds a degree in Economics and went on to complete her Master’s in Finance from the London School of Economics.
Her innovative thinking and leadership have earned her many accolades, including Coolest Start-up of the Year by Business Today, Infocom Woman of the Year – Digital Business, and the NDTV Unicorn Start-up Award.
6. Indra Nooyi – Board Member of Amazon
Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo, is another name that shines bright in the business world. After earning her master’s degree from the Yale School of Management, she began her career as a product manager at Johnson & Johnson. Later brought her strategic insights to the Boston Consulting Group, where she worked as a consultant.
She began her journey with PepsiCo in 1994 and climbed the ranks to become its CEO. She held role from 2006 to 2018. Her leadership made waves globally, and in 2017, Forbes recognized her as the 11th most powerful woman in the world.
Today, she continues to influence global business trends and leadership as a member of Amazon’s Board of Directors—a role that speaks volumes about her expertise and legacy.
7. Aditi Gupta – The Co-founder of Menstrupedia
Aditi Gupta is a trailblazing author and the co-founder of Menstrupedia, a platform dedicated to menstrual education. Alongside her husband, she created a comic book that explains menstruation in a relatable and engaging way—helping young girls understand their bodies without shame or confusion.
In 2014, she launched a comic book and got pretty much success, the book has been translated into Spanish and Nepali. Menstrupedia comics are now part of the curriculum in respected schools like Bright English School in Ahmedabad, Ecole Mondiale World School, GLS Primary School, and many others.
8. Falguni Nayar – Founder of Nykaa
After spending two decades as an investment banker at Kotak Mahindra, she decided it was time to follow her heart and build something of her own.
In 2012, she stared company Nykaa, which sells online cosmetic and wellness products. Today, her company is a go-to name among Indian women, loved for its relatable approach and strong community presence.
With over 850 brands under its belt and 35 physical stores across the country, the company has made its mark. In 2017, she was named one of Business Today’s “Most Powerful Women in Business,” and was also honored with the “Woman Ahead” award by The Economic Times.
Since 2014, the brand has proudly partnered with Femina to amplify its impact.
9. Vani Kola – Founder of Kalaari
Vani Kola is a leading force in India’s investment scene, known as the founder and managing director of Kalaari Capital. She holds a Master of Science degree from Arizona State University.
During her 22 years in Silicon Valley, she founded two company Rightwork and Certus software. In 2006, she returned then started her career as a Venture capitalist, she did a partnership with NEA(New Enterprise Associates).
In Sep 2012, Kalaari Capital stared operation with a 150-million-dollar fund. Then in 2018, she won the TiE Delhi-NCR 5th Edition of women Entrepreneurship Summit Award. Her entrepreneurial excellence earned her the NDTV Women of Worth Award, a recognition of her bold leadership and vision.
10. Radhika Ghai Aggarwal – Co-Founder of ShopClues
With more than 15 years of hands-on experience across fashion, lifestyle, advertising, and PR, she brings a unique edge to every venture she supports.
She became Co-founder of Shopclues.com, making to this list of most famous female entrepreneurs in India. In 2011, the company was founded in Silicon Valley.
This e-commerce platform she backed now stands as India’s largest fully managed marketplace, drawing in over 7 million visitors every month and reaching more than 9,000 cities.
She has done MBA from Washington University. Her success story places her firmly among the most innovative women in India’s tech and startup ecosystem.
Conclusion:
The journey of the 10 most famous female entrepreneurs in India reflects resilience, innovation, and the breaking of traditional barriers. These trailblazing women have not only built successful ventures across diverse sectors like technology, fashion, beauty, and finance but have also inspired a new generation of aspiring entrepreneurs.
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