Women's Day: Women Founders on Driving Inclusion in the Indian Startup Ecosystem

By: WE Staff

Startups in new India are akin to the country’s Innovation Engine. According to DPIIT, as of Feb 2023, a whopping 92,683 startups had been registered on the government platform, a few of which are run by women.

According to a recent report by WISER, women-led Indian startups have risen to 18% over the past five years. There were approximately 6,000 businesses in India, with women leading 10 per cent of these in 2017. This equates to approximately 600 female-led startups. India is today home to 8 million women entrepreneurs.

The WISER report indicates that in five years, the number of women-led startups in India has increased significantly from 600 to approximately 14,400. This demonstrates commendable growth and a positive trend in the startup ecosystem toward gender equality. 

However, this number is still a fraction of the total number of Indian startups, a majority of which are founded and run by men. It would not be amiss to say that the Indian startup ecosystem has miles to go when it comes to true inclusion.

On the occasion of Women’s Day, we spoke to young women entrepreneurs to understand their thoughts on how inclusion can be fostered in the Indian startup ecosystem. Women founders shared with us their advice, thoughts, and inspiring messages for fellow women on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Here is what they had to say:

Aishwarya Jaishankar, Co-founder and COO, Hyperface on How to Inspire Inclusion in the Indian Startup Ecosystem

“As a woman entrepreneur in India's startup ecosystem, fostering inclusion involves breaking down the barriers that hinder women's opportunities. Government initiatives like the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) provide vital support through accessible funding, policies, and tailored mentorship programs to promote gender diversity in leadership and empower women to navigate entrepreneurship successfully.

Companies should organize networking events, workshops, and skill-building programs to prepare women for entrepreneurship. Additionally, VC firms must actively seek out and invest in women-led startups, recognizing their potential and providing the necessary resources.

Lastly, entrepreneurs themselves play a crucial role in creating inclusive environments within their startups, ensuring equal opportunities. Mentorship and networking opportunities bridge the diversity gap, fostering a culture of inclusivity. Collectively addressing these challenges fosters a landscape where the diverse talents and perspectives of women entrepreneurs drive innovation and economic growth in India.”

Aishwarya’s message for women-folk across India on International Women’s Day: 

“This Women’s Day, I’m reflecting on the transformative power of women in business as they shape the entrepreneurial landscape with their strength, resilience, empathy, and innovation. As a proud co-founder at Hyperface, I’m honored to be part of a community that is unafraid to break barriers, learn from one another, and build futures that inspire. I’d like to applaud the journeys of women entrepreneurs who have been leading groundbreaking initiatives and challenging norms. Together, we can build a world where every woman's entrepreneurial spirit shines brightly. Here’s to another year of building, supporting, and celebrating.”