Women entrepreneurs are revolutionizing business, breaking barriers and shaping a future where innovation and equality thrive
OdishaPlus Bureau
Once a rarity, women entrepreneurs are now rewriting the rules of business. Across industries, they are driving innovation, leading enterprises, and proving that ambition knows no gender. On International Women’s Day, we celebrate this extraordinary journey of resilience, vision, and transformation.
In India, the startup ecosystem has undergone a radical shift. Women-led businesses are no longer outliers but key players in the economy. Akanksha Priyadarshini, the Co-Founder & CEO of Aurassure, reflects on this evolution: “A decade ago, women-led startups were rare, and securing funding or industry recognition was an uphill battle. But today, things are changing. Startup India has around 48% and Startup Odisha has nearly 50% startups with at least one woman in a leadership role. The rise of women entrepreneurs is undeniable. Women have disrupted traditional markets, introduced innovative solutions, and shown that gender should never be a barrier to success.”
The Journey: Grit, Growth, and Challenges
Despite the impressive strides, the road to success is far from smooth. Hiring the right talent, scaling operations, and securing investments remain formidable challenges for women entrepreneurs.
Akanksha shares her personal experience, “When I started hiring experienced professionals was difficult—many preferred the security of established companies. Fundraising was another challenge; as a woman in a male-dominated space, I often found myself having to work harder to establish credibility. But with perseverance, strategic partnerships, and strong family support, I overcame these challenges.”
Even today, many investors hesitate to bet on women-led businesses, often questioning their risk appetite rather than their vision. Akanksha, however, sees a shift in investor sentiment: “I could successfully raise funding from Unicorn India Ventures, a VC firm that actively encourages women founders. More investors are realizing the potential of women-led businesses, and platforms are emerging to support female entrepreneurs. My team at Aurassure has played a crucial role—having a strong, supportive team makes all the difference in breaking barriers and proving that women entrepreneurs can drive high-impact, scalable businesses.”
Tech as the Great Equalizer
Technology is revolutionizing the entrepreneurial landscape, empowering women to build scalable, digital-first businesses. Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, and data analytics are enabling female entrepreneurs to compete on a global stage with fewer entry barriers.
Akanksha emphasizes the role of technology in her journey, “For women entrepreneurs, technology is a game changer. The ability to build digital-first businesses and create impact at scale has opened doors that were previously hard to access. Great startup ideas no longer need massive infrastructure investments—if you have a vision and use technology effectively, you can create global impact. Without tech, scaling across continents in Brazil would have been nearly impossible.”
Shattering Stereotypes, Redefining Leadership
The corporate world is still riddled with gender biases, with women often judged on their personal choices rather than their business insight. Bobby Patnaik, Chapter President, National HRD Network & HR Business Leader, Infosys highlights the underlying challenges, “It’s not just in corporate settings; across all sectors, women face the challenge of navigating stereotypes. Women are often expected to be less aggressive, not suited for leadership, or more committed to family than their jobs. But what has worked for most women who have succeeded in leadership roles is resilience, willingness to stretch, and the ability to leverage networks.”
To create a truly inclusive ecosystem, businesses need to move beyond one-size-fits-all policies and acknowledge the different career journeys of men and women. Bobby stresses the need for structural change, “The career continuum for men and women is different, so a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Organisations must frame policies that accommodate these differences and support both genders equally.”
A Future Driven by Women
As we move into a new era of entrepreneurship, the change is palpable. Women are not just breaking glass ceilings; they are building entire industries. With technology, conducive policies and evolving mindsets, the future of women-led businesses looks brighter than ever.
This International Women’s Day, we don’t just celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs, we recognize their potential to shape a world where equality, innovation, and success go hand in hand.
