With the rapid evolution India’s startup landscape are all set to see women entrepreneurs playing even bigger role in shaping its future.
A startup funding report of 2024 by Inc42 claims that startups founded or co-founded by women raised $930 million (approximately Rs 7,900 crore) across 136 deals in 2024, marking a 93.75% jump from the previous year.
This report has definitely proven women to be a major emerging force in India’s startup ecosystem. Highlighting women growing impact in the business sector, the report further states that nearly half of the 1.57 lakh startups were recognised under the Startup India initiative having women in leadership roles.
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Industry Based Funding
Topping the chart, the fintech industry secured $266.91 million worth of funding across 17 deals, followed by e-commerce with $212 million across 53 deals.
Enterprise tech claimed third place, attracting $130 million in funding. Healthtech and cleantech also made significant contributions, raising $102.3 million and $130.93 million, respectively. Industry experts attribute this rise to the increasing adoption of digital services and the growing sophistication of enterprise solutions.
Rise in Female Investors
Adding to this, the year also saw a rise in female investors, who are strategically backing women-led ventures. Initiatives like the Women in Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF), launched in 2024 with a $10 million commitment, aim to close the gender gap by providing better access to capital, tools, and mentorship.
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Leading female investors such as Divya Anand and Ghazal Alagh have been instrumental in driving this momentum. Prominent female entrepreneurs are leveraging technology and consumer insights to scale their businesses, drawing strong investor interest.
Additionally, 2024 also witnessed 13 startups launching initial public offerings (IPOs), collectively raising over Rs 29,200 crore from the stock market.
Companies like TAC Security, MobiKwik, and Ola Electric led the charge, with 10 mainboard and three SME IPOs. While women-led startups are yet to dominate IPOs, experts foresee their growing presence in public markets as they continue to attract substantial funding and scale new heights.
