5 Self-Made Indian Women Who Are Changing the Game

In a world where the business landscape is still largely male-dominated, these extraordinary Indian women have carved out their own empires from the ground up. Self-made, determined, and fiercely visionary, they represent the growing wave of female entrepreneurs and leaders who are reshaping the definition of success in India. From e-commerce to biotechnology, finance to consumer tech, here are five self-made rich women of India who continue to inspire with their grit, intelligence, and innovation.

1. Falguni Nayar – Founder & CEO, Nykaa

Falguni Nayar is a shining example of late bloomers rewriting the rules of success. A former investment banker with Kotak Mahindra, she took a bold leap at the age of 50 to launch Nykaa in 2012 — an online beauty and lifestyle retail company. Under her leadership, Nykaa grew into a unicorn and went public in 2021, making her one of the richest self-made women in India. Today, she is celebrated not just for building a successful brand but for transforming how beauty and wellness are perceived and consumed in India.

2. Jayshree Ullal – President & CEO, Arista Networks

Though based in the U.S., Jayshree Ullal has strong Indian roots and is widely recognized as one of the most powerful women in tech globally. As the President and CEO of Arista Networks, she has steered the company to billions in revenue, making it a dominant force in cloud networking. Her journey from a Silicon Valley engineer to leading a publicly traded tech giant is a beacon of inspiration for aspiring women in STEM and business.

3. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw – Founder, Biocon

One of India’s earliest and most influential self-made women entrepreneurs, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, started Biocon in 1978 in the garage of her rented house in Bangalore. What began as an industrial enzymes company has now become a global biopharmaceutical enterprise. Often referred to as India’s biotech queen, her visionary leadership and commitment to affordable healthcare have placed her among the wealthiest and most respected women in the country.

4. Devita Saraf – Chairperson & CEO, VU Technologies

Devita Saraf turned heads when she founded VU Technologies, a premium television brand that competes with global giants in the smart TV market. Positioned as a luxury tech company, VU has become a top seller in India’s high-end television space. With a keen sense of branding and consumer behaviour, Saraf has made a name for herself as a bold and savvy entrepreneur unafraid to challenge the status quo.

5. Kavita Subramanian – Co-founder, Upstox

Kavita Subramanian is one of the forces behind Upstox, a leading digital investment platform in India that has played a major role in democratizing stock trading for millennials and Gen Z. With a sharp focus on user experience and affordability, Upstox has become one of India’s most-used fintech platforms. Her leadership and strategic vision have helped drive the platform’s meteoric rise, making her one of the standout women in India’s booming fintech sector.

Trailblazers of a New Era

These women are not just business leaders; they are trailblazers breaking barriers, redefining norms, and proving that with the right blend of vision, courage, and determination, nothing is out of reach. Their stories are a testament to what it means to be self-made in modern India — driven by ambition, undeterred by challenges, and destined to leave a lasting legacy.