Women Entrepreneurs Drive Growth in India’s Startup Ecosystem, Raise Over $930 Million in Last Year

Women Startup Funding: India’s startup ecosystem has undergone significant transformations, with women entrepreneurs playing an increasingly vital role in driving its success. In 2024, female-led startups in India experienced a remarkable surge in funding, reflecting a shift towards greater gender equality in business. The funding raised by these startups reached new heights, marking a notable achievement for women in the entrepreneurial space.

Surge in Funding for Women-Led Startups in 2024

According to the Indian Startup Funding Report 2024 by Inc42, women-led startups raised a total of $930 million across 136 deals. This is a substantial increase from the $480 million raised in 2023 across 118 deals, marking a growth of 93.75% year-on-year. The surge in funding indicates a positive trend for women in the entrepreneurial landscape, with investors increasingly recognizing the potential of female-led businesses.

Key Sectors Seeing the Most Growth

The fintech sector took the lead in terms of funding for women-led startups in 2024, accounting for 28.7% of the total funding, amounting to $266.91 million. Following fintech, the e-commerce sector secured 22.8% of the funding, which is $212 million, while enterprise tech received 14% of the total funding at $130 million. These three sectors demonstrate the diverse range of industries where women entrepreneurs are making their mark.

IPO Launches and Rising Startup Growth

In addition to the rise in funding, 2024 also saw a significant number of new-age startups launching initial public offerings (IPOs). A total of 13 startups went public, collectively raising over Rs 29,200 crore from the stock market. Of this, Rs 14,672 crore was raised through fresh issues, and Rs 14,574 crore was through the Offer for Sale (OFS). Among the IPOs launched were well-known companies such as Swiggy, Digit Insurance, and MobiKwik, further solidifying the growing importance of startups in India’s economic landscape.

The rapid growth in women-led startups, the expansion of key sectors, and the surge in IPO activity are all signs of a thriving startup ecosystem in India, driven by the power and innovation of women entrepreneurs.