NewKerala.com

Over 1 Lakh Recognised Startups Have At Least One Woman Director

Government data shows that among 2.12 lakh recognised startups, over 1.02 lakh have at least one woman director or partner. Significant funding has been directed towards women-led ventures, with Rs 2,995 crore invested since 2020 through Alternative Investment Funds. The Startup India initiative, through schemes like the Seed Fund and Credit Guarantee, has approved and guaranteed hundreds of crores specifically for supporting startups. The ecosystem is maturing, with Indian tech startups raising $9.1 billion in 2025, indicating a shift towards more selective, execution-focused funding.

Key Points: 1 Lakh+ Startups Have Women Directors, Govt Data Shows

  • 1.02L startups have women directors
  • Rs 2,995 crore for women-led startups
  • Startup India Seed Fund approved Rs 592 crore
  • Credit Guarantee Scheme backed Rs 925 crore
2 min read

Over 1 lakh recognised startups have at least one-woman director or partner

Government data reveals over 1.02 lakh recognised startups have at least one woman director or partner, with significant funding for women-led ventures.

"over 1.02 lakh of those entities have at least one‑woman director or partner - Government Statement"

New Delhi, March 17

Among 2.12 lakh entities recognised as startups by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, over 1.02 lakh of those entities have at least one‑woman director or partner, the government said on Tuesday.

Ministry of Corporate Affairs data shows 6,789 recognised startups as closed, of which 2,950 had at least one‑woman director or partner, MoS, Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said in Lok Sabha.

As on January 31, 2026, supported Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) which in turn invest in startups have invested around Rs. 25,859 crore in selected startups. Further, from 2020 onwards, around Rs. 2,995 crore have been invested in women-led startups by AIFs under the scheme, the statement from Ministry of Commerce & Industry said.

The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, since 2021, has approved around Rs. 592 crore for selected startups, with about Rs. 294 crore earmarked for women‑led ventures, the statement further said.

The Startup India initiative was launched in January 2016, to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation, startups and encouraging investments in the startup ecosystem of the country.

Under the Startup India initiative, the government is implementing flagship Schemes such as Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) to support startups across categories at various stages of their business cycle.

The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups, operational since April 2023, has guaranteed loans of around Rs 925 crore to startup borrowers, including about Rs 39 crore for women‑led startups, it added.

Indian tech start-ups raised $9.1 billion in 2025, up 23 per cent year-on-year, with funding becoming more selective and milestone-linked, a recent report said.

India's technology start-up ecosystem is moving from volume-driven expansion to execution-led maturity, as capital was concentrated in scalable, commercialisation-ready ventures, it added.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Good progress, but the numbers need context. Rs. 39 crore guaranteed for women-led startups under CGSS is just a tiny fraction (~4%) of the total Rs. 925 crore. The funding gap is still very real on the ground. The schemes need to ensure the money actually reaches deserving founders across India, not just in metro cities.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in the Bangalore startup scene, I've seen this shift firsthand. The focus is now on execution and solid business models, not just ideas. It's encouraging to see more women in leadership roles. This maturity will make the ecosystem more sustainable.
R
Rohit P
The fact that nearly half of the closed startups (2,950 out of 6,789) had women directors is interesting. Does it point to specific challenges women-led startups face in sustaining? Or is it proportional? The government should analyze this data to provide better, targeted support for longevity.
A
Ananya R
This makes me so proud! My cousin sister started a small agri-tech venture in Nashik, and she got support from a seed fund scheme. It's not just about big numbers in reports; these policies are changing lives and inspiring girls in smaller towns to dream big. 🇮🇳
M
Michael C
The year-on-year funding increase to $9.1 billion is impressive, especially in a selective market. India's startup ecosystem is clearly becoming a major global player. The strategic focus on women's participation will only strengthen its innovation potential in the long run.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50