5 women entrepreneurs that are disrupting startup ecosystem

A recent study by McKinsey Global Institute revealed that India’s GDP could witness 16-60% growth by 2025 if the participation of men and women in the economy would be equal. This would add a whopping $2.9 trillion to the economy in the next 5 years.

It is fortunate, then, that numerous Indian women are breaking through all existing barriers to establish their business in the country. This Women Entrepreneurs Day here’s looking at some pathbreaking women who are making their mark in the Indian business landscape.

1. Dipali Mathur Dayal, Founder & CEO, Super Smelly

Dipali Mathur Dayal, Founder & CEO, Super Smelly

Private banker turned entrepreneur, Dipali Mathur Dayal is the Founder and CEO of Super Smelly, India’s first brand of personal care products for Gen Z that are 100% toxin-free, best-in-class, gentle yet effective, and made with natural ingredients. In her present capacity, she spearheads the responsibility of product vision, investor management, brand management, strategy and direction for the company.

For Dipali, Super Smelly has always been a venture close to her heart as she conceived the idea as the mother of a 9-year-old. The dearth of options for natural and toxin-free personal care products in the country for adolescents and young adults urged her to formulate a brand dedicated to the next generation. Dipali feels that it is crucial to provide adolescent boys and girls with toxin-free and natural personal care solutions to keep them healthy and safe and thus keeps product innovation at the heart of her brand Super Smelly.

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2. Roma Priya, Founder of Burgeon Law

Roma Priya, Founder of Burgeon Law

Roma Priya is the Founder of Burgeon Law, a new-age law firm that supports growth, change and innovation in India’s fast-evolving startup ecosystem. She advises and mentors early-stage & high-growth startups, incubators, accelerators, angel investors, family offices, and venture capital/private equity funds.

Roma has worked with over 500 clients over the course of her almost decade-long career. With her distinctive viewpoint and strong market understanding, she has guided businesses on complex legal issues ranging from formation to exit. In her leisure time, she likes to swim, learn salsa, listen to jazz music and watch movies. She also likes to travel and makes a point to explore at least one new country every year.

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3. Puja Punj, Co-Founder, GyFTR

Puja Punj, Co-Founder, GyFTR

With over 18 years of rich experience in the marketing space, Puja Punj is the Co-Founder at GyFTR, the country’s leading online-to-offline (O2O) peer-to-peer gifting platform. At the company, Puja is responsible for brands and sales.

After completing her MBA in marketing from APJ (University), Puja went on to secure the Branch Manager position at Accor Services. In this role, she gained in-depth insights into the planning, implementation, and management of loyalty programs for channels as well as end-consumers.

In 2012, she co-founded GyFTR (Vouchagram) along with Arvind Prabhakar who is the co-founder and CEO of the brand. The brand was conceptualized with a vision to harness the untapped potential of brand currency (e-gift vouchers) to promote the gifting market beyond occasion-led physical or cash gifts. Today, Puja envisions GyFTR clocking a turnover of more than 1000 crore in FY 2020 on the back of its groundbreaking digital gifting solutions.

Aside from her work, Puja enjoys travelling in her leisure time.

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4. Meenal Arora Founder Director – Shemford Group of Futuristic Schools

Meenal Arora Founder Director – Shemford Group of Futuristic Schools

A driven educationalist and a passionate leader with over 16 years of rich experience, Meenal Arora is the Founder Director at Shemford Group of Futuristic Schools, India’s most innovative senior school chain. At Shemford, she spearheads the Training & Development Department which is responsible for developing intensive training programs for over 5,000 head-mistresses and teachers associated with the group.

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5. Savitri Bobde, Co-founder & COO, Goalwise

Savitri Bobde, Co-founder & COO, Goalwise

Savitri Bobde is the co-founder and COO at Goalwise, a unique goal-based investment platform that leverages data-driven algorithms to offer suitable mutual fund investment plans to its customers. She is responsible for overseeing the execution of all initiatives undertaken by the company and guiding the operational processes of all departments - especially the two that she directly heads - customer service and investment operations. Follow her on Twitter