The Economic Times Startup Awards have been instituted to celebrate the finest and the bravest who risked everything to launch a new enterprise. It is a recognition of the sweat and tears that went into shaping what will drive the nation’s economic engines.
Through the Startup Awards, we strive to engage with startups and investors, identify deserving startups, and celebrate the vaulting ambition and skills of some of India’s best-known entrepreneurs and investors who have built and mentored the country’s fastest-growing startups.
Here is the list of the high achievers from the Women Ahead and Social Enterprise categories
Ankur Dahiya, Co-founder and CEO, of Rozana, started her company in 2020, which is in Lucknow, The Key investors of the company are Bertelsmann India Investments, Fireside Ventures, and 3one4 Capital. The company aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural product accessibility. Rozana allows rural consumers to order products via an app or call center. It buys the products and stores them in the warehouse.
Prukalpa Sankar, Co founder, Atlan, The company was founded in 2019, based in Singapore. The key investors of the company are GIC, Peak X V Partners, and Salesforce Venture. Atlan enables large enterprise teams to collaborate on data projects.
Hardika Shah, founded CEO, Kinara Capital founded her in 2011 which has Bengaluru. The key investors of the company are British International Investment, Gaja Capital, Northern Arc.
Romita Mazumdar, Founder and CEO, of Foxtale, started her company in 2021 based in Mumbai. The key investors of the company are Panthera Growth Partners, Z47(Matrix Partners India), Kae Capital. Foxtale was born out of a Mazumdar’s passion for skincare and her keen observations of market gaps. Identifying the need for high-efficacy products, she set out to create a brand that prioritised both quality and affordability.
Shruti, Co founder and CEO, ApnaKub founded her company in 2019, which is based in Bengaluru. The key investors of the company are Tiger Global, Blume Ventures, Flourish Ventures. With ApanKlub, Shruti aims to help kirana stores augment their incomes by providing them with fast-moving consumer goods at competitive prices and efficient delivery services.
Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs: High Achievers from The Economic Times Startup Awards
The Economic Times Startup Awards have become a prestigious platform, celebrating the boldest and brightest individuals who have taken the leap of faith to launch groundbreaking enterprises. These awards not only acknowledge the immense courage and resilience of India’s entrepreneurs but also highlight their contribution to driving the nation’s economic engine. Among the esteemed categories of the awards are “Women Ahead” and “Social Enterprise,” which shine a spotlight on female founders who have made significant strides in the startup ecosystem.
Let’s take a closer look at the inspiring women behind some of the most impactful startups recognized in these categories.
Ankur Dahiya – Bridging Urban-Rural Gaps with Rozana
Ankur Dahiya, the co-founder and CEO of Rozana, launched her company in 2020 with a vision to bridge the gap between urban and rural access to products. Headquartered in Lucknow, Rozana empowers rural consumers by providing them with a seamless way to order products either through an app or a call center. The company ensures accessibility by buying the products directly and storing them in warehouses before distribution. Dahiya’s passion for creating a more inclusive market has garnered the backing of prominent investors like Bertelsmann India Investments, Fireside Ventures, and 3one4 Capital. In just a few short years, Rozana has proven to be a game-changer in increasing accessibility for India’s rural population.
Prukalpa Sankar – Revolutionizing Data Collaboration with Atlan
Prukalpa Sankar, the co-founder of Atlan, is a shining example of a leader pushing the boundaries in the tech space. Founded in 2019 and based in Singapore, Atlan has emerged as a powerful platform enabling large enterprise teams to collaborate on complex data projects seamlessly. With its innovative approach to data democratization, Atlan has captured the attention of investors such as GIC, Peak XV Partners, and Salesforce Ventures. Under Sankar’s leadership, Atlan is empowering teams to break silos and work more effectively with data, positioning it as a leader in the data collaboration industry.
Hardika Shah – Driving Financial Inclusion with Kinara Capital
Founded in 2011, Kinara Capital is the brainchild of Hardika Shah, an entrepreneur dedicated to fostering financial inclusion. Based in Bengaluru, Kinara Capital provides critical financial support to small businesses that often find it difficult to secure traditional loans. With the backing of British International Investment, Gaja Capital, and Northern Arc, Shah has built Kinara into a robust financial institution, offering collateral-free loans to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Her efforts have played a pivotal role in empowering MSMEs and fueling their growth across India.
Romita Mazumdar – Redefining Skincare with Foxtale
Romita Mazumdar, founder and CEO of Foxtale, is making waves in the beauty and skincare industry. Launched in 2021, Foxtale is based in Mumbai and was born out of Mazumdar’s keen observation of the gaps in the skincare market. With a passion for skincare and a deep understanding of consumer needs, she set out to create a brand that prioritizes high-efficacy products without compromising affordability. Backed by investors like Panthera Growth Partners, Z47 (Matrix Partners India), and Kae Capital, Foxtale is fast becoming a favorite in the Indian skincare market, thanks to its commitment to quality and accessible products.
Shruti – Empowering Kirana Stores with ApnaKlub Shruti, co-founder and CEO of ApnaKlub, launched her startup in 2019 to empower India’s kirana (small neighborhood) stores. Based in Bengaluru, ApnaKlub provides kirana store owners with access to fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) at competitive prices, along with efficient delivery services. This initiative helps small shopkeepers augment their incomes while simplifying their supply chain.
