Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career choice; for many Indian women, it’s an act of courage. It’s a journey toward financial independence, a way to break free from traditional roles, and a fight against the deeply rooted patriarchy. While we celebrates our strides toward gender equality, the reality is far more nuanced for women entrepreneurs in India who are trying to make their way in the business world.
We spoke to real women entrepreneurs, listed on Women Listed, a platform for women entrepreneurs and homepreneurs, to uncover the main challenges they face in starting or growing their businesses. Their voices, combined with data and insights, reveal a vivid picture of the hurdles they are facing.
Breaking Free from Traditions
Over 50% of women entrepreneurs we spoke to, responded that “lack of family support” is one of the main challenges that holds Indian women back, especially in the case of married women. For Vidushi Jain of Creative Keepsakes, the word “patriarchy” encapsulates it all; while Nilakshi Gupta, who is building a home-run jewelry business Dazzle, voices it as, “Domination by family and lack of support, freedom, and trust.”
Patriarchy manifests in countless ways, from lack of support to interference in business decisions to being unequally burdened by the responsibility of being the primary caregiver at the home. A Bain & Company and Google survey revealed that 43% women said their families and spouses did not support their businesses. Additionally, Indian women in the working age category of 15 to 60 years spend 7.2 hours on unpaid domestic work, on an average. Leaving them with little to no time for their own work. And imagine still being asked – tum karti kya ho din bhar?
Meghnaa Arhora of Electrogets, underscores this by sharing, “Many women face pressure to prioritize family obligations and traditional roles, which limits their time, resources, and freedom to take business risks.”
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The Funding Dilemma
For Nishita Thakur, founder of KidsCur, the challenge of funding wasn’t just financial, it was personal, as she says, “Many women entrepreneurs face difficulty in securing loans or investments due to traditional biases and a lack of financial decision-making power within families. This often limits their ability to invest in growth, technology, or skilled talent, putting them at a disadvantage in scaling their ventures.”
But she is not alone, 1 out of 5 women who answered the question shared about lack of funding and financial support. And this is not just their isolated struggle. Surveys show 47% of women entrepreneurs in India face challenges accessing credit, with fewer than 3% in Tier 2 and 3 cities receiving external funding. Most women rely on personal savings or informal loans, leaving them vulnerable and under-resourced.
Battling Self-Doubt and Confidence
Self-belief is a fragile thing. Aprajeeta Singh of Craft Cart sums it up perfectly, “Self-doubt – I believe that’s the one feeling we have a lot because women happen to seek for external approval. So, if there’s someone who’s pushing us to take a step back, it is US only.”
It’s not just her, even Sreekumari Nair (founder of RaRo Macrame), Aastha Gaur (financial services consultant), and Rochana Devi (Knitwear designer), pointed out lack of confidence as a key hindrance in their entrepreneurial journey. Self-doubt and Imposter Syndrome have been seen as one of the top challenges that professional Indian women face. This internal battle often becomes the steepest hill to climb.
The Fear of Failure
The self-doubt often also stems from fear of failure, as Surabhi Sharma, founder of Sriviya, shares, “The fear of failure is the biggest factor that stops most women. What if I take a risk and it doesn’t work? But then again, what if it does? We all have to take risks in life, right?”
Fear of failure isn’t unique to women, but societal pressure amplifies it. A failed business is often seen as a reflection of a woman’s judgment. Another fear we can also see here the one of coming out of their “comfort zone.” As Aditi Agrawal, of Avyu India, says, “Comfort in their existing formats and lifestyles is one of the main challenges that Indian women face when it comes to starting their businesses.”
Lack of Market Knowledge, Network Access and Visibility
Access to networks and mentorship is another hurdle for women entrepreneurs in India. Ruchi Bansal highlights: “Women entrepreneurs lack previous experience in running a successful business. This is due to a lack of basic and higher education among women in India.”
Similarly, Dea Srivastava of Zikrr says, “Guidance (read, mentorship) and the ability to put themselves out there (read, imposter syndrome).”
Dipti Sangani of Kart Avenue, shares, “Women entrepreneurs often struggle to gain market access, both locally and internationally, due to smaller networks, lack of marketing know-how, or reduced visibility in the market.”
Nowadays, there are many women-centric platforms, like Women Listed and Women Entrepreneurship Platform, that are building supportive communities where women entrepreneurs can promote themselves, connect with fellow entrepreneurs and discuss their challenges openly.
The challenges are real, but so is the determination of these women. As Aastha Gaur aptly puts it, “If you have family support, self-belief, and the courage to take risks, you can start with as little as selling home-cooked food. Emotional resilience is the key.”
The journey of Indian women entrepreneurs is not just about building businesses; it’s about breaking barriers and reshaping narratives. And for this, we need to keep sharing their stories and amplifying their voices. So, what challenges have you faced as a woman entrepreneur in India? Let’s talk, because every story matters and deserves to be heard.
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