As India’s start-up capital, Bangalore is fostering a wave of women-led ventures. So, what makes the city a nurturing ground for women entrepreneurs?
- February 7, 2025
- Updated 12:39 pm
She means Business
- Chhaya Gupta
- December 8, 2023
- Lifestyle
A transformative wave is sweeping the startup landscape in Bangalore, solidifying the city’s reputation as a haven for women-led ventures. According to a recent survey by Tracxn, Bangalore proudly hosts a remarkable 1,783 women-led startups across diverse sectors, redefining the entrepreneurial narrative. Beyond mere profit, these visionary women are architects of societal transformation, carving alternative career paths for local women.
Delving into the distinctive landscape of women-led startups, the question arises – What sets Bangalore apart from other bustling metros like Delhi and Mumbai?
Tripti Soni, the visionary founder of Trade Matrix Academy, a stock trading consultancy service organisation, offers a compelling answer.
According to Soni, Bangalore boasts an unparalleled startup atmosphere, a haven for working professionals aspiring to establish a secondary income stream. Citing the city’s higher cost of living and expansive market size, she reflects on her transformative decision to relocate. “Moving to Bangalore was one of the best decisions,” Soni asserts.
Her journey from a banking sector employee to the founder of Trade Matrix Academy serves as an inspiration for budding women entrepreneurs, advocating the pursuit of passion over conventional 9-5 roles.
Soni emphasises the rewarding experience of generating income through her ardour, flourishing in a city that embraces and nurtures innovative entrepreneurial ideas.
“After three years in the banking sector, I decided to make stock market trading my full-time career due to my passion for it. In 2021, I shifted to Bangalore, establishing Trade Matrix Academy to help individuals create a secondary income through investing or trading. Here in Bangalore, I am dedicated to transforming lives for the better, day in and day out,” shares Soni, encapsulating the spirit of the city as a dynamic hub where entrepreneurial dreams unfold.
As women entrepreneurs carve their niche across diverse industries, Divya R T, the founder of Vox Coach, a pioneering voice coaching venture, reflects on the catalysing factors that fuelled her entrepreneurial journey in Bangalore’s thriving landscape.

ANUSHREE GOENKA SPARK STUDIO

DIVYA VOX COACH

SAHAR MANSOOR BARE NECESSITIES
With the Information Technology sector, corporate offices, and the bustling hospitality industry burgeoning in Bangalore, Divya found a resolute inspiration to transition into a full-time startup entrepreneur.
“Voice exercises, emphasising correct technique, are tailored for both children and adults. Observing substantial growth in sectors like schools, corporate offices, and hospitality, I decided to channel my expertise and establish Vox Coach,” she reveals.
Born from the fusion of Divya’s passion for music and her reverence for the human voice as a “unique communication medium”, Vox Coach has evolved into a premier institution. Since its inception in 2017, the venture exclusively provides structured voice-related courses and frameworks, leveraging a skill-based approach.
“I believe the human voice is the strongest and most unique instrument of expression and communication. Capitalising on this belief, I founded my company, which has since been devotedly catering to the needs of students and clients. Our mission is to acquaint them with the science of the voice, guiding them toward a self-sufficient actuality that ‘the power lies within’,” articulates Divya.
In the dynamic realm of women entrepreneurship, Anushree Goenka, the founder of Spark Studio, a cutting-edge AI tutoring platform for English, champions the notion that while being a women entrepreneur is challenging, it’s far from impossible, especially in the vibrant city of Bangalore.
“Women in leadership positions serve as indispensable role models. I often receive calls from aspiring women entrepreneurs, and it’s immensely gratifying to guide them,” she asserts.
Anushree’s startup, Spark Studio, extends its impact by offering free courses in collaboration with NGOs and select schools. Tailored for children aged 5-15, these courses aim to unlock their full potential and bolster confidence through a fun and interactive English learning experience.
With a commendable 65% of her startup’s workforce comprising women, Anushree emphasises that Bangalore is a reservoir of untapped talent, and its startup-friendly environment provides the nurturing ground for turning entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Spark Studio, under Anushree’s leadership, exemplifies the city’s ethos of fostering innovation, empowerment, and educational advancement.
Sahar Mansoor, another women entrepreneur and founder of Bare Necessities – Zero Waste Solutions, unfolds a narrative of transformative change, not just in waste reduction but in creating empowering opportunities for the women of Bangalore.
Reflecting on her journey, Sahar recollects a time when limited job options confined women to manual labour roles, sparking a personal commitment to forge better career alternatives.

“When Bare Necessities materialised, so did the dream of establishing a women-led manufacturing team. Today, our manufacturing unit is 99% women, playing a pivotal role in our growth,” Sahar affirms.
Bare Necessities, renowned for its handcrafted personal care products made by women from underserved communities, goes beyond mere employment.
Sahar emphasises their dedication to providing health insurance, financial inclusion, and continuous upskilling through workshops and computer courses.
The impact extends across Bangalore’s startup landscape, with initiatives such as Indiqube’s co-working spaces by Meghna Agarwal, Radhika Timbadia’s Champaca – a pioneering bookstore, and Rang De, Smita Ram’s peer-to-peer lending platform.
These innovative ventures, led by extraordinary women, stand as beacons of empowerment, shaping a transformative narrative in the lives of fellow women in Bangalore.
SHORT-TAKES
Startup Hub: Bangalore leads with 1783 women-led startups in India, surpassing Mumbai (1480) and Delhi (1195).
Innovative Funding: Karnataka pioneers by offering a grant-in-aid of Rs 50 lakh to early-stage startups without seeking equity, a first in the country.
Catalyst for Risk-Taking: Bangalore’s startup ecosystem, known for its conducive policy framework, encourages entrepreneurial risk-taking.
Prominent Startups: Notable startups emerging from Bangalore include Possible, Zivame, Chumbak, YourStory, Rang De, Indiqube, Elda Health, and Champaca, among others.