Women's Day: Women Founders on Capital Raising & Collective Support

By: WE Staff

Zaiba Sarang, Co-founder, iThink Logistics

Zaiba is a dynamic business leader with expertise in sales, technology, and strategy, known for driving growth and innovation in tech-enabled ventures. She holds entrepreneurship credentials.

Did entrepreneurship feel like a natural choice or a deviation from expected gender norms?

Entrepreneurship did not feel like a deviation to me — it felt like a responsibility. I have always believed that leadership is not defined by gender but by conviction. Of course, there were moments when societal expectations tried to define what was “appropriate,” but I chose to focus on purpose over perception. Building something of my own felt natural because I wanted to create impact, opportunities, and a culture rooted in trust. When your intention is clear, labels and norms slowly lose their relevance.

How do funding dynamics differ for women-led startups in India?

Funding realities are different, and that’s something many women founders quietly navigate. Women are often questioned more deeply on risk, scalability, and long-term vision. There is sometimes an unconscious bias that makes us prove sustainability before ambition. However, I also believe the ecosystem is evolving. Investors today are increasingly recognising that women-led businesses often bring strong governance, resilience, and long-term thinking. The key is persistence, preparation, and building undeniable credibility — because performance eventually speaks louder than perception.

How can established women founders/investors support aspiring women founders?

Support begins with visibility and access. Established women founders must openly share their journeys — not just successes, but challenges and lessons. Mentorship, introductions to networks, and honest conversations about funding and growth can make a real difference. We also need to actively invest in women-led ventures and advocate for them in rooms where decisions are made. Empowerment is not about symbolic encouragement; it is about creating tangible opportunities that allow more women to build with confidence and scale sustainably.