
India’s startup ecosystem is making headlines for its growing inclusivity, as nearly half of the country’s recognised startups boast at least one woman director. According to the latest figures from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, over 73,000 of the 157,066 startups registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) feature women in leadership roles.
The Ministry praised this milestone as a testament to the pivotal contributions of women in propelling innovation and driving economic progress. In a report, officials highlighted the entrepreneurial shift sweeping the nation, with cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR emerging as hubs of creativity and groundbreaking ideas.
The rise in female representation comes as the government continues to strengthen the startup ecosystem through the Startup India initiative, launched in 2016. Startups recognised under the scheme benefit from a range of incentives, including three years of tax exemptions, simplified compliance processes, self-certification, and single-window clearances to ease bureaucratic hurdles.
Additionally, the Fund of Funds for Startups initiative, with a substantial allocation of ₹10,000 crore (approximately £970 million or $1.2 billion), has provided crucial funding support, enabling early-stage businesses to thrive. These measures, coupled with India’s vast pool of young, tech-savvy talent and affordable internet access, have spurred innovation across sectors like fintech, edtech, health-tech, and e-commerce.
India’s startups are also leveraging emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT), to tackle both local and global issues. This culture of innovation, underpinned by robust networks of incubators, accelerators, and mentors, has established a unique ecosystem bridging grassroots challenges with forward-thinking solutions.
The Ministry’s report commended this synergy, pointing out how the nation’s dynamic workforce and supportive infrastructure are reshaping the entrepreneurial narrative.
Despite these achievements, women’s representation in top management remains a broader challenge in corporate India. Data shows that less than 20% of board seats in listed companies are occupied by women, compared to a global average of around 33%. This shortfall persists despite regulatory provisions under the Companies Act, 2013, which mandates at least one woman on the boards of listed firms.