Shepreneurs WOMEN to WATCH

A recent report titled India Startup Outlook by Innoven Capital highlighted the gender disparity that exists in the Indian startup ecosystem. Despite seeing the highest numbers of unicorns emerge in India to date and startups having seen a positive fundraising experience, the Indian startup system’s tryst with gender disparity has seen little development since 2019, the report stated. The report cited a few reasons for the persistence of the same - hidden biases, lack of talent pool in overwhelmingly male-dominated scenarios and a lack of female founders in the system. Also, as per Deloitte's Women in the Boardroom report, there has been very little change in corporate boardrooms since 2014. Women's representation of board seats increased by 9.4 percent from 2014 to 17.1 percent in India, but they comprise only 3.6 percent of the board chairs, down by 0.9 percent since 2018. With such bleak mentions about the rise of women leaders and entrepreneurs in a nation that is the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, this is concerning. Every year, we have been trying to uncover stories of beliefs, rises and achievements of women leaders who did it. Our aim while finding these new names every year is to let you - our readers get inspired through their journeys and do what you believe in. Our purpose of writing these stories would be achieved only if see more women achievers emerging. Gender diversity is not something to be only preached and written, it is something you have to practice. Here’s hoping to have more shepreneurs coming out of their cocoons and shining as you see some in the ensuing pages.

- Punita Sabharwal With S Shanthi, Shrabona Ghosh, Saptak Bardhan & Deepa Vaidya

ACTOR, SARA ALI KHAN

The Soul Connection

Actor Sara Ali Khan has now stepped into investing with The Souled Store. The brand has raised an undisclosed amount from the actor

By Shrabona Ghosh

What's on your mind? “Investment,” said Sara Ali Khan, actor and investor. With a series of movies under her belt, the effervescent actor has now stepped into investing in startups. “I feel very blessed to be at the stage where I am right now. I have always believed in following my heart, whether it’s about my professional life or personal life. Investing had always been on my mind, I was just waiting for the right opportunity. I am glad, I am finally taking the step with The Souled Store,” said the investor, who is at the peak of her career.

The actor is now an equity partner at The Souled Store. “I am joining The Souled Store as an investor at an undisclosed amount. In a short span of time, the brand has carved a niche for itself in the casual wear space. Being an ardent pop-culture lover, a firm believer in originality and comfort, I see the brand as a perfect fit for fashion. It’s the first time I am investing in a brand. Can’t wait!”

It's not easy to crack a deal with an investor. There are a lot of parameters that have to be ticked before a deal is signed. “I love being part of brands that resonate with my personality. With The Souled Store’s massive popularity, growing brand equity and my love for all things pop-culture, I knew this was a perfect fit for me as an investor. I believe in the brand and can’t wait to be a part of the journey,” said Sara, giving an insight into her investment wishlist.