Female Founder Supporting Startups

While there is a generalized view of investors being men in suits, and it is true that the investing space holds too few women still, there is hope! In the Indian market, women are emerging as investors in all capacities and at all scales, whether as part of large VC firms, boutique investment firms, private equity ventures or angel investors.

Table Of Contents

• Introduction

• Padmaja Ruparel

• Lavanya Ashok

• Bala Deshpande

• Sakshi Chopra

• Bharati Jacob

• Kanika Mayar

• Conclusion

Introduction 

Investing is most definitely not only for men. Some female investors have inspired people to choose this new profession. These women break the glass ceiling and challenge gender stereotypes as they go above the bar.

Real equality for startups is still a long way off, even while the investment and venture capital industries as a whole are growing more cognizant of the need to help more Women in Business and close the gender gap. So, the increase in female investors should undoubtedly give Business Women owners searching for capital additional reason for optimism.

Looking at the numbers, in 2020, women made up 16% of all Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capitalist (VC) teams.

There is no question that India needs more female investors. These eight investors are part of a growing group who demonstrate that it is completely feasible.

Padmaja Ruparel

The Indian Angel Network's co-founder and president are Padmaja Ruparel (IAN). In the previous ten years, Ruparel has evolved IAN into a distinctive international institution thanks to its commercial background. With more than 450 investors, IAN has made business investments in ten different countries.Ruparel started her real estate company in her 20s, worked as a stay-at-home mom, and then rose to become one of the most powerful women in the nation.

Lavanya Ashok

Lavanya Ashok was drawn to finance while a student at Wharton University. She began working as an intern at Goldman Sachs on Wall Street after graduating. She soon gave a hedge fund a shot. After earning her MBA in 2010, Lavanya spent ten years working at Goldman Sachs. Ashok became a growth manager for Trifecta Capital's equity fund. She has worked for companies including Pepperfry, Azure, and Cytecare where she invested in the lifestyle.

Bala Deshpande

Bala Deshpande joined New Enterprise Associates (NEA) in 2008 and is stationed in the Mumbai office as a Senior Managing Director. Under Deshpande's leadership, NEA has invested in a variety of companies, including Air Works, FSS, InTarvo, Intellisys, Naaptol, Nova, Trishe, and Vishwa. Deshpande has been investing for more than 15 years. Her private equity experience involved developing new businesses and carrying out a number of exits, such as IPO buybacks, capital market divestments, and strategic sales. She is currently in charge of NEA's India division

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