What women entrepreneurs want: presenting the HerStory report on the state of women’s entrepreneurship in India

A while back, there was an ad titled, ‘like a girl’. Men and women were asked to demonstrate what it meant to run like a girl, throw like a girl, and to fight like girl. Most actors – male and female - made comical attempts trying to tame their hair and ensure to not break into a sweat. Then the director asked young girls what it meant to run like a girl and to throw like a girl. Not one of them held back from giving their very best. One little girl said that to run like a girl meant to run as fast as one could.

That’s the spirit of womanhood. To give it your best effort, each time, every time. If you are fighting, fight the hardest; if you are running, run the fastest. And if you are treading the path of entrepreneurship, aim for high growth, profitability, and create an organisation that is the envy of the world.

That’s easier said than done. And while we as an ecosystem have taken many steps in the right direction, there is much to be done and much to be achieved.

We first did a survey of women entrepreneurs in 2016 and came out with a report on that. Three years later, we wanted to check if things had changed.

We are happy to report that they have.

Download HerStory's report on The State of Women's Entrepreneurship in India 2019

Women are claiming their rightful place as entrepreneurs. No, the obstacles haven’t been removed from their path. The challenges – gender bias, lack of equal opportunities, pressure to juggle work and family – are alive and well. It’s just that women have been getting better at doing what they do best and at cutting out the noise.

Many entrepreneurs who took our survey said they needed no special treatment for being women. They demanded to be treated as equals. 

So, here’s to all the women, whether they hold jobs, or have opted out of the workforce for a while, are self-employed, or run their startups, whether they have inherited businesses, or are on a break.

Your message is clear: bring it on.

It's time for the world to sit up and take notice.

We hope you find this report worthwhile. Tell us what you liked and what you didn't. What did we miss out on? What other aspects would you like to read about? Drop us a line at [email protected].