ET Startup Awards 2026: Nominees for Woman Ahead
This award recognises women entrepreneurs who have built their own ventures and are competing with the best in the industry. To qualify, nominees must be serving as CEOs of their startups, unless the company does not have a CEO-designated role.
The Economic Times has announced the nominees for the Woman Ahead category in its 12th edition of Startup Awards. This award recognizes women who have founded their own ventures and are top contenders in the industry. The nominees are CEOs of their respective startups unless a CEO is not available.
Pallavi Shrivastava, CEO and cofounder of Progcap, founded the company in 2017 with a mission to help MSMEs and SMEs access capital. She previously worked at the IFC and the World Bank, witnessing financial inequalities that motivated her to create Progcap. Key investors in Progcap include Peak XV, Tiger Global, and Google.
Ankur Dahiya, CEO and cofounder of Rozana, started his company in 2021. Rozana allows rural consumers to order products through an app or call center, buying and storing them in leased warehouses. Dahiya's goal is to bridge the gap between urban and rural product accessibility. Investors in Rozana include Bertelsmann, Fireside Ventures, and the Bikaji family office.
Minu Margeret, CEO and founder of Blissclub, launched her company in 2020 with a product-first philosophy focusing on Indian body types. Blissclub offers comfortable clothing for women and men suitable for everyday activities like travel, workouts, and all-day wear. Elevation Capital, Eight Roads, and Singularity AMCC are among her investors.
Pallavi Mohadikar, CEO and cofounder of Palmonas, established the company in 2021 to cater to the growing demand for demi-fine jewellery in India. Palmonas operates on an omnichannel model, including a D2C site, online marketplaces, and 75 offline retail stores. Xponentia Capital and Vertex Growth Fund are among her investors.
Malini Adapureddy, CEO and founder of Deconstruct, created the company in 2021 with a D2C skincare brand based on consumer insights and collaboration with Korean skincare experts. Deconstruct sells sunscreens, face serums, lip care, and moisturizers across various platforms, including online marketplaces, quick commerce, and D2C channels. DSG Consumer Partners, Kalaari Capital, and L’Oréal’s BOLD are among her investors.
Prachi Dharani, CEO and cofounder of PayGlocal Technologies, founded the company in 2021 to simplify cross-border payments for Indian consumers and businesses. PayGlocal enables seamless international transactions, making global commerce more accessible. Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global, and Beenext are among her investors.
Written by urgent.news from Economic Times Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
