Women Startup Stories

Necessity is often called the mother of invention, and for Madhvi Datwani Datwani, this could not be more true. As a transitioning vegan and a mother of four teenagers, Madhvi sought a way to bridge her passion for health and her concern for ethical, eco-friendly living. With a Diploma in Legal Studies from the University of London and a B.L.S, LLB degree from the University of Mumbai, Madhvi was no stranger to challenges and innovation. She embarked on a journey to create a product that would not only support her family’s health but inspire countless others to choose conscious living. Green Protein was born out of simple, yet powerful conversations over coffee between Madhvi and her partners, Parag Khimani Each brought their unique struggle and perspective to the table. Parag, a business graduate from New York and sports enthusiast, found it challenging to maintain protein sufficiency due to his adherence to Jainism. Their collective drive to develop a clean, ethical, and nutritious alternative to conventional proteins took shape during the pandemic of 2019, reinforcing the belief that health and nature must coexist harmoniously. Green Protein emerged as an innovative, plant-based supplement that breaks the mold of typical protein powders. It’s not just for athletes or fitness enthusiasts—it’s a brand designed for families, from the young to the old. With unique, refreshing fruity flavors, Green Protein transformed protein from a bland, utilitarian product into a vibrant, delicious experience. Crafted to fit seamlessly into busy lifestyles, Green Protein prioritizes sustainability without compromising on taste or nutrition. The founders’ passion and vision have led thousands of customers to say goodbye to artificial, dairy-based proteins and hello to a future where fitness is guilt-free, ethical, and fun. Madhvi’s entrepreneurial journey, rooted in compassion and innovation, continues to inspire a movement toward conscious nutrition and a kinder world. With Green Protein, nutrition isn't just healthy; it’s a celebration of life and nature, woven into the fabric of a sustainable future. Madhuri Awande Visit out website: https://lnkd.in/dwVWAA33 #greenprotein #vegan #

Piya Bahadur journey is one of resilience, exploration, and vision. From her academic roots in urban planning to her bold leap into entrepreneurship, her story is woven with experiences that shaped her mission to uplift India’s micro-entrepreneurs—especially women—with technology that makes a tangible difference. In 2018, Piya set out on a life-changing adventure—a 17,000-kilometer all-women motorcycle expedition through Southeast Asia. Along the route, she encountered countless small-business owners—vendors, shopkeepers, farmers—who labored against incredible odds to make a living. Conversations with them revealed two stark realities: that these small businesses supported entire families and, in some cases, entire communities, yet they faced tremendous challenges, lacking basic tools to manage finances and keep operations running smoothly. Returning from this journey, Piya felt an undeniable calling. She began to see these small businesses, especially those run by women, as the unrecognized backbone of the economy, a sector brimming with potential but often ignored by traditional finance and technology. In 2019, Piya co-founded MeraBills a mobile accounting platform designed specifically for India’s micro-entrepreneurs. MeraBills wasn’t just an app—it was a tool for empowerment. She envisioned it as a way for small business owners to access the same financial tools available to larger enterprises but in a format that was simple, affordable, and available in local languages. MeraBills prioritizes user-friendliness, making it accessible to even first-time tech users. The app provides features that allow small business owners to track earnings, expenses, and customer orders, empowering them to run their businesses more efficiently and profitably. Piya’s unique approach includes a training-led model to bridge digital literacy gaps. By partnering with local digital inclusion and financial literacy initiatives, MeraBills goes beyond technology, offering training and support to ensure users feel confident using the app. At the core of Piya’s vision is a deep commitment to empowering women-led businesses. She knows the challenges that women face in gaining financial autonomy and how the right tools can catalyze their success. MeraBills is crafted to provide these tools in a way that’s simple and supportive, helping women take control of their finances, operate their businesses sustainably, and achieve self-reliance. Piya’s commitment to micro-entrepreneurs extends beyond MeraBills. She actively collaborates with partners in the digital inclusion ecosystem, building a community of support for small business owners. Through these efforts, MeraBills has become not just an app, but a movement toward financial inclusion, particularly for underserved women. As MeraBills continues to grow, Piya’s dedication to financial equity and empowerment remains unwavering.Madhuri Awande Visit our website : https://lnkd.in/dwVWAA33 #startup

Surbhi Jore founder of ASM global, is a visionary leader dedicated to enabling sustainable practices and reshaping the way businesses interact with environmental responsibility. With a background in environmental sciences and sustainable business, Surbhi was driven by the growing urgency for transparency and accountability in resource management. This passion led her to establish ASM Global, where she sought to address global challenges in waste management and circular economy through technological innovation. Her journey culminated in the development of RecyclX, a groundbreaking SaaS platform that enables circular economy businesses to track, trace, and document the lifecycle of materials across complex supply chains. RecyclX’s unique features include a Digital Product Passport and end-to-end traceability, giving companies unparalleled insights into resource origins, usage, and disposal. By leveraging data analytics and progressive ledger technology, the platform not only aids regulatory compliance but also empowers companies to claim and communicate their sustainability impacts with confidence. Today, RecyclX is transforming industries such as plastics, textiles, and biofuels, helping clients reduce waste and boost circular practices. By equipping companies across industries, RecyclX has enabled more than 25 clients to collectively track over 600,000 metric tons of sustainable materials globally. Surbhi's commitment to fostering collaborative ecosystems has positioned RecyclX as a trusted partner for companies seeking to make impactful strides toward circular economy practices. Her dedication and innovative approach is reshaping the industry, setting new standards for transparency, accountability, and sustainable impact.Madhuri Awande Visit our website: https://lnkd.in/dwVWAA33 #womenfounder #startup #entrepreneur #climatechange

Founders Nishita Agarwal and Pratik began this journey inspired by their dog, Aurum, who sparked a mission that would redefine pet care in India. It all started with something as simple as a search for a safe paw cream. Nishita and Pratik, dedicated pet parents, were frustrated by the limited options available on the market. They realized there was a glaring gap: safe, natural, and effective pet care products that pet owners could trust. From that moment, their mission was clear—to create high-quality pet products that prioritized safety, comfort, and the bond between pets and their parents. Nishita, known for turning her love for dogs into a professional endeavor, partnered with Pratik to bring Papa Pawsome to life. The name itself is a nod to their four-legged muse, Aurum, who was at the heart of their inspiration. The journey began with the development of their first product: a paw cream that would not only heal and protect but also be safe enough for a curious dog to lick without any risk. Countless trials and adjustments later, they crafted an all-natural formula that met their high standards for safety and effectiveness. The positive feedback from friends, family, and fellow pet owners was overwhelming, marking the beginning of Papa Pawsome’s journey in pet care. Officially launched with a clear mission, Papa Pawsome aimed to strengthen the special connection between pets and their owners through products designed with love and meticulous care. Unlike conventional pet products filled with harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients, Papa Pawsome’s offerings are completely free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and synthetic fragrances. Each product is formulated using only the highest-quality natural ingredients, ensuring they are non-irritant, ultra-mild, and safe for pets even if licked. The soothing aroma of essential oil blends not only adds to the product’s appeal but helps pets relax during their grooming routines. The range of products offered by Papa Pawsome has expanded to include not just paw cream but also massage oils and serums, Tick Off waterless shampoos, Shine O Fur shampoos, and the Itch No More shampoo with conditioner. Each product is designed with a focus on providing holistic care for pets, supporting their skin, coat health, and overall well-being. This dedication to safe, natural, and effective solutions has resonated deeply with pet owners across India, creating a loyal and growing customer base. Nishita and Pratik's vision for Papa Pawsome goes beyond creating products; it’s about fostering a community of pet parents. This ethos is reflected in every aspect of the brand,from the thoughtful product development to the user-friendly,safe ingredients they choose. Papa Pawsome’s mission is to become the most trusted name in pet care globally, setting a new standard for what pet care should be. Madhuri Awande Visit our website:https://lnkd.in/dwVWAA33 #womenfounder #startup #entrepreneur #petare

Shubhi Sachan visionary designer and sustainability advocate, founded the Material Library of India (MLI) with an unwavering commitment to redefine waste as a resource. Armed with an M.A. in Material Futures from Central Saint Martins, London, and years of experience designing for luxury brands like Alexander McQueen and Ralph Lauren, Shubhi discovered a disturbing disconnect between material use in product creation and the end result. This realization sparked her journey toward sustainable design, aiming to transform waste management practices. MLI, established as a pioneering research and design consultancy, leverages nearly a decade of experience to unlock the hidden potential of industrial and agricultural waste. Through innovative, data-driven solutions, MLI proves that waste streams can become the new source for materials in a future where natural resources grow scarce. The organization showcases impactful projects that blend sustainability and design, illustrating how waste can be transformed into valuable assets across industries. Central to MLI's mission is the Material Literacy program, an initiative that fosters awareness and engagement among academics, individuals, and corporations to rethink and repurpose everyday materials. By championing education and creativity, Shubhi Sachan’s MLI challenges conventional perceptions of waste, inspiring a culture of sustainable living and conscious consumption. Her journey, marked by recognition as a TEDx speaker and Lexus Design Award finalist, serves as an empowering reminder of how innovation and passion can reshape the narrative of waste into one of opportunity and transformation. Madhuri Awande Visit our website for more such stories: https://lnkd.in/dwVWAA33 #womenfounder #startup #entrepreneur #materialscience

In March 2023, Debasri Rakshit and Soum Paul launched Superteams.ai, a unique platform built to empower businesses to harness the game-changing potential of Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs). Superteams.ai was born from a simple yet powerful vision: to democratize access to top-tier AI talent. Debasri and her co-founders recognized that while AI was transforming industries, many businesses struggled to access the expertise needed to leverage it effectively. “We started Superteams.ai because we saw firsthand the limitations businesses faced when it came to accessing specialized AI talent,” Debasri shares. “Our goal was to create a global network that connects companies to the best AI minds, enabling them to thrive in an AI-driven landscape.” A key factor behind Superteams.ai’s success is its diverse, vetted pool of AI talent. The platform’s network includes developers and researchers skilled in experimenting with and implementing the latest in AI technology. Each team member is meticulously chosen, ensuring that every project benefits from expertise that is both technically and editorially verified. This curated approach allows Superteams.ai to deliver results with unparalleled accuracy and efficiency. From research and development to content creation and problem-solving, the teams at Superteams.ai are human-led and AI-assisted, striking a balance between human insight and AI capabilities. To maintain transparency, Debasri has ensured that the platform’s project management workflow is visible to clients, providing them with real-time updates and open communication channels. This commitment to clarity and accountability has become one of Superteams.ai’s cornerstones, setting it apart from competitors. At its core, Superteams.ai embodies Debasri’s vision of a fully remote workforce. “We believe the future is remote, and talent shouldn’t be restricted by geography,” she says. Under her leadership, Superteams.ai not only connects companies with AI experts across the globe but also empowers them to operate efficiently within this remote model. For Debasri, this journey is deeply personal. Her extensive experience in content creation, having held roles like Managing Editor at Amazon-Westland and senior editorial positions with Penguin Random House India and HarperCollins, equipped her with unique insights into building powerful content strategies. In her previous role as Head of Content at Home Screen Network, she helped grow Spark.Live, an EdTech product, to a $1 million ARR through impactful content and upskilling initiatives. This background has translated seamlessly into her work at Superteams.ai, where she combines content expertise with a forward-thinking approach to AI. Looking ahead, Debasri envisions expanding Superteams.ai’s reach across multiple sectors and helping businesses scale their AI initiatives.Madhuri Awande Visit our website : https://lnkd.in/dwVWAA33 #AI #womenfounder #startup

Disha Singh journey from an MBA student at IIM Ahmedabad to the co-founder and CEO of Zouk is one of grit, creativity, and unwavering commitment to promoting Indian craftsmanship. Her inspiration struck on a college trip to Kutch, where she observed her classmates admiring the intricate local handicrafts but hesitating to buy them because they didn’t quite fit the needs of modern, functional fashion. This experience planted the seed for Zouk, a lifestyle brand that combines India’s rich cultural heritage with contemporary functionality. Determined to fill a gap in the market, Disha envisioned a line of bags and accessories that celebrated Indian motifs while being practical for today’s consumers. By blending cruelty-free vegan leather with traditional Indian prints, she launched a brand with co-founder Pradeep Krishnakumar that made an ethical statement alongside a fashion one. Zouk’s designs are unique, thoughtful, and distinctly Indian, resonating with over 60,000 customers since its founding in 2018. In line with her vision, Disha made the conscious decision to use only vegan materials after watching a video on the leather industry’s impact on animals. This choice resonated deeply with her values and with Zouk’s growing base of socially conscious customers. Today, Zouk collaborates with over 800 artisans across India, but getting there wasn’t easy. This support for artisans has become central to Zouk’s ethos. “Every bag carries a story woven by the hands of Indian artisans,” says Disha, who sees each product as a tribute to India’s heritage. By working closely with craftspeople, Zouk not only uplifts traditional skills but also provides artisans with sustainable livelihoods. Today, Zouk’s milestones speak for themselves. The brand recently raised $3 million in funding, which will help expand its product line and retail presence. As one of the few Indian brands in the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) space to secure such funding, Zouk is blazing a trail by highlighting Indian craftsmanship in an increasingly competitive market. Looking forward, Disha is focused on expanding Zouk’s offerings. She envisions products tailored to working women—laptop bags, spacious totes, and stylish backpacks that can carry both a lunch box and a laptop. Recently, Zouk ventured into footwear and plans to broaden its travel and accessory lines, bringing even more functionality to its designs while staying true to Indian roots. With global aspirations, Disha dreams of taking Zouk to international markets like the United States and the Middle East, showcasing India’s artisan community to a worldwide audience. In Disha Singh’s journey, Zouk has grown from a student’s inspiration into a full-fledged brand that marries Indian aesthetics with modern utility, creating a space where fashion meets ethics.Madhuri Awande Visit our website: https://lnkd.in/dwVWAA33 #womenfounder #startup

Radhika Ghai Known as the first woman in India to create a Unicorn, she earned the prestigious First Lady award from the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare, bestowed by the President of India. But her journey started long before that milestone. In 2011, Ghai co-founded ShopClues a revolutionary online marketplace that brought the vibrant bazaars of India to the digital world, empowering over 400 million consumers in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. ShopClues reached unicorn status in 2016 and merged with Qoo10 in 2019. With her proven expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, Radhika, along with co-founders Vidit Jain Jain and Manasa Garemella has now set her sights on Kindlife, an innovative beauty and wellness platform born out of the post-pandemic shift towards self-care. Launched in 2021, Kindlife bridges commerce, community, and brands to create a holistic ecosystem for consumers who value quality and conscious living. Offering over 800 brands from Korea, Japan, and India, the platform supports a 2.5 million-strong community that learns, shares, and shops for carefully curated wellness and beauty products. Radhika’s story is marked not only by her business successes but by her commitment to empowering others. A startup investor and mentor, she has been a guiding force for young entrepreneurs and women in business, using her experiences to inspire and pave the way for the next generation. With accolades including CEO of the Year and Exemplary Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, her dedication goes beyond business—it’s about leading by example and creating a future where clean living and self-care are accessible to all. From launching her own advertising agency in 1997 to working at Goldman Sachs and Nordstrom, and founding FashionClues, Radhika’s journey has been one of relentless ambition. Now, with Vidit and Manasa by her side at kindlife.in she’s on a mission to redefine wellness and beauty, fostering a world where self-care is more than a routine—it’s a lifestyle, deeply connected to conscious choices and community spirit.Madhuri Awande Visit our website: https://lnkd.in/dwVWAA33 #womenfounder #startup #unicorn #entrepreneur

Ankita Vijayvergiya journey into climate action began during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she found herself questioning the impact of her corporate work. The pandemic opened her eyes to the urgency of environmental issues, particularly food waste. Alongside her brother Nikhil, she co-founded Nature Healers, a venture aimed at promoting sustainable lifestyles. This was just the beginning of her climate journey, and soon, they set their sights on a larger mission—turning food waste into climate action solutions. In 2023, Ankita and Nikhil Vijayvergiya founded BillionCarbon a climate tech startup born from years of climate activism and research. Their goal? To transform food waste, a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, into valuable resources, thereby helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the food supply chain. Leveraging innovative Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) technology, they developed a three-day waste treatment process that converts food waste into nutrient-rich biofertilizers and insect protein without producing waste. This breakthrough allows for the recycling of food waste into resources that can enrich the soil and reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers, thereby tackling soil degradation—a problem affecting over 40% of the world’s agricultural land. Ankita’s dedication to climate tech goes beyond her startup. She believes that to achieve impactful climate action, solutions need to be profitable and scalable within a capitalist framework. For her, entrepreneurship in climate tech is about using existing technologies in smarter, more effective ways. BillionCarbon’s unique bioreactors, powered by IoT, enable precise climate control to accelerate the waste-to-resource process, positioning the company at the forefront of sustainable innovation. Despite the challenging demands of being an entrepreneur and a mother, Ankita’s resilience shines through. She advocates for more inclusive work environments that support caregivers, emphasizing that supportive policies like workplace crèches and breastfeeding spaces are essential for enabling women to pursue careers without compromising family commitments. BillionCarbon’s impact has been recognized on an international scale. In 2024, the startup joined a sustainability accelerator run by Accelerating Asia and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), focused on empowering women-led climate tech startups. During a pitch at the ESCAP Feminist Finance Forum, Ankita won a seed grant to scale BillionCarbon’s operations, bringing them one step closer to their ambitious goal of reducing one billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2030. As the world grapples with environmental challenges, BillionCarbon stands as a beacon of hope and action, showing that a sustainable future is within reach. Madhuri Awande Visit our website: https://lnkd.in/dwVWAA33 #climatechange #wastemanagement #womenfounder #entrepreneur #startups Startup India

The story of Hoovu Fresh, which debuted on Shark Tank India Season 2, starts long before the sisters made their pitch. It’s a story rooted in their childhood, growing up on their father's floriculture farms. Their father, a pioneer in the flower industry, launched one of the world’s largest rose farms in the 1990s, spanning India, Ethiopia, and Kenya. As they grew up immersed in this world, the Karuturi sisters were introduced to the nuances of harvest cycles, auction prices, and market logistics. But while the bouquet business blossomed globally, the traditional Indian flower market, essential for cultural and religious practices, remained stuck in time. As they observed, the traditional flower market faces massive wastage, with up to 40% of flowers going to waste due to a disorganized supply chain. This struck a chord with Yeshoda Karuturi and Rhea Karuturi Indians use traditional flowers—jasmine, marigold, chrysanthemums, and more—for everything from morning prayers to personal adornment and workplace decorations. Yet these flowers were typically wilted or old by the time they reached customers, and the industry lacked the cold chain and packaging technologies to address this need. They founded Hoovu Fresh—"hoovu" meaning "flower" in Kannada—as a nod to their roots. The goal was simple yet ambitious: make fresh flowers accessible for daily rituals, directly from farms to households, with minimal wastage. Their approach to this problem was refreshingly innovative. By partnering with over 500 farmers, Hoovu Fresh ensures flowers are delivered within 12-24 hours of being harvested, cutting down the traditional supply chain's lag. But the real game-changer lies in their in-house technology, which extends the freshness of flowers from the usual two days to up to two weeks. With specialized machinery that controls moisture and bacteria levels, Hoovu Fresh keeps flowers fresher longer—making them affordable and readily available. Today, Hoovu Fresh Fresh operates across eight cities and collaborates with more than 300 temples, effectively reaching millions of people. Their team comprises 60 dedicated women who help prepare garlands and bouquets daily, showcasing the duo’s commitment to creating jobs and empowering women within their community. And with partnerships with platforms like Zepto and BigBasket,Hoovu Fresh has streamlined the buying experience, ensuring customers have easy access to fresh flowers whenever they need them. Their journey on Shark Tank India wasn’t just a pitch—it was a testament to their dedication and ingenuity.Yeshoda and Rhea’s story is a rallying call for women in India and beyond:with a vision and the courage to chase it, entrepreneurship can flourish in unexpected places, transforming lives and industries alike. In words of Yeshoda and Rhea Karuturi, “We’re building a company to achieve something really simple:to make flowers a way of life for millions of households across India.”Madhuri Awande