Top 10 Women Startup Leaders from Karnataka - 2026
Women startup leaders from Karnataka are reshaping India’s entrepreneurial landscape with their technical expertise, strategic vision and their dedication to community leadership. The leaders use their global experience and local knowledge to work in multiple sectors which include health tech, agritech, sustainable consumer goods and fintech. They commence their professional paths after they obtain strong educational backgrounds, which include engineering, sciences and business fields. The women leaders use their multidisciplinary expertise to discover business opportunities that emerge at the intersection of technology, design and social responsibility.
This cohort demonstrates its uniqueness through its ability to solve complex operational difficulties, which involve navigating regulatory requirements, funding acquisition processes and hiring methods, while creating work environments that support diversity and employee well-being and perpetual educational growth. They have accelerated product development through their user feedback systems, which combine with their data analysis capabilities and their agile development processes to reach product-market success in competitive markets. Their strategic approach to growing the business involves establishing research partnerships while building international business connections and joining accelerator programs that strengthen their technical capabilities and market potential.
These women entrepreneurs use their mentorship networks, angel investment activities and advocacy work for gender equity in investment choices to drive ecosystem development beyond their business success. They promote sustainability through their business models, which integrate ESG principles, while they persuade their industry peers to use circular design methods, ethical sourcing practices and community engagement approaches. The women startup leaders from Karnataka not only drive economic progress but also establish a more just business environment, which creates lasting power for upcoming entrepreneurial leaders.
In this issue, the Women Entrepreneurs Review magazine brings a list of ‘Top 10 Women Startup Leaders from Karnataka - 2026', who are domineers of change in the corporate realm of the country. This list of ten leading and inspiring women is crafted by a team of CEOs, VCs, and the editorial board, delivering inspiring stories of their journey and the contributions & roles played by them in the creation and empowerment of an economically powerful nation.
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Dr Anasuya Threse Innocent, Founder & Director, Bangalore
A technology entrepreneur and researcher driven by innovation and a commitment to the environment, dedicated to connecting university research with practical applications through the use of blockchain, AI, and IoT
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Divya Kalra, Co-Founder, Bangalore
She has years of entrepreneurial experience and more than 15 years of IT experience in leadership roles across diverse domains and geographies, and is passionate about leveraging technology, innovation, and more
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Lathika Pai, Founder, Bangalore
A leader in the global startup ecosystem, corporate, angel investing, and nonprofit arenas, with expertise across the US, MENA, APAC, and India/SAARC regions
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Monika Shukla, Co-Founder & CEO, Bangalore
She is passionate about building inclusive platforms, nurturing entrepreneurship, and empowering individuals, especially women, to grow with confidence and resilience
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Pallavii Gupta, Founder, Bangalore
An entrepreneur who transitioned from the fashion industry into food, she is passionate about bringing design, seasonality, and conscious dining together, championing community impact, mindful gastronomy, and innovation
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Pooja Agrawalla, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Bangalore
She specializes in Cybersecurity, Management Consulting, Corporate Training, Career Development Coaching, Business Consulting, IT Consulting, Strategic Planning, Information Security, and Information Management
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Shanti Mohan, Founder, Bangalore
She brings operations and people management expertise, along with technical, hands-on experience in product design, development, and deployment of solutions
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Shrijal Dave, Founder, Bangalore
She is passionate about fostering meaningful connections, championing women’s voices, and creating spaces that inspire personal and professional growth
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Swati Awasthi, Co-Founder & CEO, Bangalore
An entrepreneur and product leader with over 12 years of experience in technology and product management across diverse industries, she has led AI, mobile, and SaaS products at leading organizations
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Vijayashree Venkat, Founder & Managing Director, Bangalore
She is skilled in Leadership Development, Human Resources, Performance Management, Leadership, and Total Rewards Strategies, offering services in HR Consulting, Diversity, Inclusion, and Executive Coaching
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