What Women Listed Built in 2025 — and Why 2026 Matters Even More

January 1, 2026

When we look back at 2025, we don't see numbers — we see faces. Women who walked into our events carrying business cards and dreams, who left with partnerships, learnings, and the kind of validation that only comes from being truly seen.

This year, Women Listed wasn't just about hosting events. It was about creating ecosystems where women entrepreneurs could access what they've always deserved: visibility, genuine market access, and the knowledge to scale sustainably.

The Year in Motion

12 curated on-ground events. 6 Flagship large-scale Events. 20+ expert-led virtual sessions. Over 2,000 women entrepreneurs engaged across every touchpoint we created. These aren’t just metrics — they represent businesses that shifted gears, founders who found their tribe, and ideas that finally got the platform they needed.

Our flagship initiatives became anchors throughout the year. The Celebrating Excellence Awards returned for its 4th edition on March 1st, honoring 15 award winners and 5 runner-ups — recognised not for loud marketing, but for consistent, real business journeys. We brought in Poonam Barua (CEO, WILL Forum India) and Simran Khara (Co-Founder, Koparo) to lead conversations that mattered. Recognition here wasn’t about hype; it’s about credibility, resilience, and progress. 

The Elevator Pitch Series became our signature storytelling platform. From partnering with M3M Meet in Gurgaon to collaborating with Amazon Saheli for e-commerce access, these weren't just pitch sessions — they were strategic doors opening. Pre-pitch coaching with Prachi Kukreja, authentic leadership talks by Neha Indoria, and seven power-packed sessions across Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida meant founders weren't just pitching; they were evolving.

The Moments That Mattered

Some events stick with you. Biz, Biryani & Bachche on Mother's Day was one of them. We created space for women building businesses alongside motherhood — because entrepreneurship doesn't pause for school runs or bedtime routines. Geetika Anand Gupta, Naina Ruhail, and Sonali Saraogi Singh brought honest conversations to the table. It was raw, real, and deeply needed.

Then came Wellness & Chai in July — a deliberate pause in a year that moves too fast. Guided by Surbhi Bansal, Kavita Devgan, and Mridula Bali, we talked about something the startup world often ignores: sustainable founders build sustainable businesses. And we had Gunjan Amrit Kocharr and Shilpa Jaiswal guiding us through thoughtful sessions during the day. 

Bazaar: The Gift Edit in September wasn't just another marketplace. Powered by FNP, it gave women-led brands what they rarely get — prepared visibility. Pre-event bootcamps on storytelling and display meant our exhibitors walked in confident, not just hopeful. This was about stepping into high-visibility consumer spaces, ready to convert curiosity into sales.

The Grand Finale

December brought The Feast — our first-ever women-led food festival. Over 100 women-led food, beverage, and lifestyle brands. A thousand conscious consumers, HNIs, and influencers. Curated panels across food and hospitality. Brand launches, tastings, experiential showcases — it was chaotic, beautiful, and powerful.

This wasn't just an event; it was a statement. Women-led businesses in food and hospitality deserve platforms as sophisticated as their craft.

Learning Never Stopped

Our Business Mastery Series ran parallel to everything — 20+ virtual sessions with experts like Neetu V. Bansal, Ishleen Kaur, Aloka Banerjee Syam, Nisha Dhanuka, and Gunjan Pai. Marketing. Branding. Sales. Pricing. AI. These weren't theoretical workshops; they were practical learning for real business challenges.

What's Coming in 2026

The momentum isn't slowing. We're expanding, deepening, and going bigger.

UDITA: Export Access Program kicks off January 29th at Travancore House — because Indian women-led businesses deserve global visibility. Wellness & Chai returns February 11th. The 5th Edition of Women Listed Awards happens March 28th at IHC. Bazaar returns with three editions — Spring, Festive, and Gift — and The Feast comes back in December, even bigger.

More cities. Deeper partnerships. Larger platforms.

The Real Story

Women Listed has become more than a platform — we're a trusted authority on women-led businesses in India. Every listing, every event, every session is designed with one purpose: to give women entrepreneurs what they need to grow.

Visibility. Market access. Learning. Connections.

Because when women businesses thrive, entire ecosystems shift.

Here's to 2026 — where we build on everything we've learned, celebrate louder, and create even more space for the businesses that deserve to be seen.

The best part? We're just getting started.

Recommended Blogs

Explore inspiring stories, tips, and trends for women entrepreneurs

Blog Thumbnail
AI Search and Women-Led Businesses: How Discovery Is Changing in 2026
AI-powered search is changing how customers ask questions, but not the fundamentals of being discoverable. Here is what women-led businesses should focus on in 2026.
Blog Thumbnail
Making Designer Jewellery More Accessible: Meet Ayushi Gupta Who is Building Silveda
After 12+ years designing gold, diamond and polki jewellery, Ayushi Gupta moved into 925 sterling silver with Silveda. Her challenge: making design and craftsmanship - not just the metal - carry a sense of luxury.
Blog Thumbnail
From Counselling to Corporate Yoga: 10 Corporate Wellness Providers in Delhi NCR
Explore 10 women-led corporate wellness providers in Delhi NCR for mental health, nutrition, yoga, employee healthcare and workplace wellbeing.
Blog Thumbnail
Inside the September Women Listed Business Lounge: Making Stronger Business Conversations
A look inside the September Women Listed Business Lounge in Gurugram, featuring Disha Brara's interactive session, 60-second business pitches and conversations among women entrepreneurs.
Blog Thumbnail
How to Prepare Your Small Business for Corporate Orders
Winning a corporate enquiry is only the beginning. Before quoting, make sure your business can handle B2B pricing, paperwork, production, credit and delivery.
Blog Thumbnail
From Yoga Teacher to Wellness Entrepreneur: How Apurva Saxena Is Building Zelosity in Delhi
Discover how Apurvaa Saxena moved from PR to yoga entrepreneurship and rebuilt Zelosity into a broader wellness practice in Delhi.
Blog Thumbnail
The FSSAI Rules Every Home Food Business Should Know Before they Start Selling
FSSAI rules changed significantly in 2026. Here is what home bakers, chefs and packaged-food founders need to know before selling.
Blog Thumbnail
10 Homegrown Healthy Food Brands We Want to Put on Your Radar
From millet foods and seed blends to preservative-free pickles and upcycled spreads, these women-led Indian brands are building more specific approaches to better-for-you food.
Blog Thumbnail
From Training to Transformation: How Meenakshi Sharma Is Building Learn ABOT Consulting
Meenakshi Sharma is the founder of Learn ABOT Consulting, a Gurugram-based leadership development and corporate training firm focused on turning learning into workplace behavior. Discover her founder journey on Women Listed.
Blog Thumbnail
From WhatsApp Orders to a Registered Business: When Formalisation Starts to Matter
Many women-led businesses begin through referrals, WhatsApp or home-based selling before formal systems catch up. Here is what changes when they do.