Is the Indian Startup Landscape thriving enough for women founders?
Startup Table with AJ is a series hosted by Archana Jahagirdar, the founder and managing partner at Rukam Capital, a venture capital and equity partner firm based in New Delhi. The objective of this series is to highlight the often-overlooked struggles of early-stage founders, bringing their stories to the forefront amid the prevailing hype around unicorns and high-profile investors. Through this series, Archana Jahagirdar aims to share her wealth of knowledge but also empower others to achieve their potential and contribute positively to society.
In the fourth episode of Startup Table with AJ, host Archana Jahagirdar shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked struggles and triumphs of women founders in India. This episode is dedicated to exploring their inspiring journeys, showcasing how these resilient founders are breaking barriers and building thriving businesses despite facing numerous challenges.
The episode begins with an introduction to the founders sitting around the table and a brief overview of their businesses. The guests on the table include Aditi Balbir from Ecoratings, Dr. Satobisha Mukherjee founder of Formularx, Mahua hazrat, founder of Bioveda, Aparna Saxena- founder of Alternate, Ishita Gupta from Eat Atlas, and Dr. Rekha Lohkan from Nooky. The discussion further leads to unique landscape of entrepreneurship for women in India. Archana sets the stage by discussing the prevailing hype around unicorns and high-profile investors, emphasizing the need to highlight the real stories of early-stage founders who are making significant impacts in their communities.
The conversation delves into the pervasive issue of gender bias that women founders often encounter. The founders share personal anecdotes and insights on how they navigate societal barriers and discrimination.
The Crucial Role of Mentors
Mentorship plays a vital role in the success of women founders. In this segment, the founders share their experiences with mentors who have guided them through their entrepreneurial journeys. They highlight how mentorship can provide valuable insights, networking opportunities, and emotional support, helping women navigate the complexities of starting and growing a business.
Are Government Schemes Enough for Women Founders?
The discussion shifts to government initiatives aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs. The panellists critically assess whether existing schemes are sufficient to address the unique challenges faced by women in business.
The Startup Vision
As the episode wraps up, the founders share their visions for the future of their businesses and the broader startup ecosystem. They discuss how collaboration among women founders can lead to greater innovation and success.