Women Entrepreneurship
Unit 5
Women Entrepreneurship
Women entrepreneurship refers to businesses led and
managed by women.
Plays a vital role in economic development, job creation,
and social inclusion.
Supported by evolving social norms and policy reforms in
India.
Characteristics
Resilience and multitasking
Strong interpersonal and networking skills
Empathy and social awareness
Creative problem-solving
Risk-aware (calculated risk-taking)
Focus on sustainability and community impact
Functions
Managing
Identifying Planning and Leading Customer Financial Marketing
production
business organizing teams and relationship planning and and brand
and
opportunities resources handling HR management budgeting development
operations
Categories
Urban Entrepreneurs – Startups in tech, retail, beauty (e.g., Falguni Nayar – Nykaa)
Rural Entrepreneurs – Agro-based, handicrafts, dairy
Social Entrepreneurs – Work for causes (e.g., SEWA)
Micro-Enterprise Owners – Home-based or self-help group businesses
Co-entrepreneurs – Women managing business along with male family members
Opportunities
Growth in digital platforms and social media marketing
Rise in demand for handcrafted, eco-friendly products
Government focus on inclusive development
Women-focused e-commerce and fintech solutions
Online education, health, and wellness sectors booming
Challenges
Limited access to finance and credit
Societal and family restrictions
Gender bias in business networking
Lack of training in business and technology
Legal and bureaucratic hurdles
Government Initiatives
Stand-Up India Scheme – Bank loans to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs
Mahila Coir Yojana – Support for women in coir industry
TREAD Scheme – Training and credit assistance
Women Startup Program (NSRCEL – IIMB)
Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP)
Women Associations
FICCI FLO (FICCI Ladies Organisation) – Networking and mentorship
WEConnect International – Supplier diversity and global linkage
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) – Community-based business collaboration
Mahila Udyami Sangh & Local NGOs – Skill development, funding, awareness
Nykaa
• Founder: Falguni Nayar
• Nature of Business: E-commerce platform specializing in beauty,
wellness, and fashion products.
• Revenue: As of FY 2023, reported a revenue of approximately ₹5,143
crore.
Mamaearth
• Founders: Ghazal Alagh and Varun Alagh
• Nature of Business: Direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand offering
toxin-free, natural personal care products.
• Revenue: In FY 2023, Honasa Consumer Pvt Ltd, reported revenue of
around ₹1,000 crore
The Moms Co
• Founder: Malika Sadani
• Nature of Business: Provides natural, toxin-free products for prenatal,
postnatal care, babies, and personal care
• Revenue: Specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed
Zivame
• Founder: Richa Kar
• Nature of Business: Online lingerie retailer offering a wide range of
intimate wear
• Revenue: In FY 2022, reported revenue of approximately ₹141 crore
Menstrupedia
• Founder: Aditi Gupta
• Nature of Business: Provides educational materials and workshops to
spread awareness about menstruation.
• Revenue: Specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
V Resorts
• Founder: Aditi Balbir
• Nature of Business: Offers unique, locally immersive travel
experiences across India.
• Revenue: Specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
Embibe
• Founder: Aditi Avasthi
• Nature of Business: AI-powered education platform providing
personalized learning solutions.
• Revenue: Specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
