Rumjhum Chatterjee
Member, CII National Startup Council & Co-Founder and Managing Trustee, The Infravision Foundation
Shaping the Future: The growing role of women in India’s startup ecosystem
As we mark National Startup Day, it is an ideal moment to celebrate the growing role of women in shaping India’s innovation landscape and to recognise the immense value they bring as creators, problem-solvers, and leaders.
Across sectors, women are increasingly driving innovation that is inclusive, sustainable, and grounded in real-world needs. From technology and healthcare to climate solutions, mobility, and social innovation, women-led ideas are addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Recent estimates indicate that women now account for nearly one-fifth of startup founders in India, a figure that continues to grow steadily. [BR1.1]Their strength often lies not only in technical capability, but in their ability to view problems holistically, balancing innovation with empathy, scale with sustainability, and growth with long-term impact.
India’s startup ecosystem has evolved rapidly, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship and experimentation. Encouragingly, more women are stepping forward as founders, innovators, and ecosystem builders. This shift signals a broader cultural change, one where innovation is no longer defined by a single archetype, but by diversity of thought, experience, and leadership styles.
Women innovators often build solutions that are deeply connected to communities and everyday realities. This perspective strengthens innovation outcomes, making them more adaptable, resilient, and relevant. Multiple global and India-focused studies have consistently shown that diverse founding teams demonstrate stronger innovation outcomes and more sustainable business performance, reinforcing the case for inclusive entrepreneurship.
At the same time, progress must continue with intention. Creating a truly enabling ecosystem means fostering access to capital, mentorship, networks, and platforms where ideas can be refined and scaled. It also means celebrating role models, encouraging young women to pursue innovation-driven careers, and ensuring that women’s voices are represented in conversations that shape the future of technology, policy, and entrepreneurship.
National Startup Day is not just about recognising startups, it is about reaffirming our commitment to an innovation ecosystem that is open, equitable, and forward-looking. Supporting women in innovation strengthens the foundation of this ecosystem and unlocks its full potential.
As India charts its path toward becoming a global innovation leader, women will play a defining role in shaping that journey. By enabling their ideas, leadership, and aspirations, we move closer to a future where innovation truly reflects the diversity, creativity, and strength of our society.
Across sectors, women are increasingly driving innovation that is inclusive, sustainable, and grounded in real-world needs. From technology and healthcare to climate solutions, mobility, and social innovation, women-led ideas are addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Recent estimates indicate that women now account for nearly one-fifth of startup founders in India, a figure that continues to grow steadily. [BR1.1]Their strength often lies not only in technical capability, but in their ability to view problems holistically, balancing innovation with empathy, scale with sustainability, and growth with long-term impact.
India’s startup ecosystem has evolved rapidly, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship and experimentation. Encouragingly, more women are stepping forward as founders, innovators, and ecosystem builders. This shift signals a broader cultural change, one where innovation is no longer defined by a single archetype, but by diversity of thought, experience, and leadership styles.
Women innovators often build solutions that are deeply connected to communities and everyday realities. This perspective strengthens innovation outcomes, making them more adaptable, resilient, and relevant. Multiple global and India-focused studies have consistently shown that diverse founding teams demonstrate stronger innovation outcomes and more sustainable business performance, reinforcing the case for inclusive entrepreneurship.
At the same time, progress must continue with intention. Creating a truly enabling ecosystem means fostering access to capital, mentorship, networks, and platforms where ideas can be refined and scaled. It also means celebrating role models, encouraging young women to pursue innovation-driven careers, and ensuring that women’s voices are represented in conversations that shape the future of technology, policy, and entrepreneurship.
National Startup Day is not just about recognising startups, it is about reaffirming our commitment to an innovation ecosystem that is open, equitable, and forward-looking. Supporting women in innovation strengthens the foundation of this ecosystem and unlocks its full potential.
As India charts its path toward becoming a global innovation leader, women will play a defining role in shaping that journey. By enabling their ideas, leadership, and aspirations, we move closer to a future where innovation truly reflects the diversity, creativity, and strength of our society.
