The 12th edition of the Economic Times Startup Awards has revealed its 'Woman Ahead' nominees, honoring female founders leading successful Indian ventures. These startups, spanning sectors like fintech and direct-to-consumer retail, are private companies and are not listed on public stock exchanges.
The Economic Times has unveiled the list of nominees for the 'Woman Ahead' category in its 12th annual Startup Awards. This recognition program highlights female CEOs and founders who have successfully built and scaled their businesses to compete with industry leaders. The final winners will be selected by a high-powered jury chaired by Rishad Premji, the Executive Chairman of Wipro, during a meeting scheduled for August 25, 2026, in Bengaluru.
The 'Woman Ahead' category focuses on entrepreneurs who have built companies from the ground up. The list of nominees showcases a variety of business models, ranging from financial technology to consumer goods. Included in this year's list are Pallavi Shrivastava, CEO and cofounder of the fintech firm Progcap, and Ankur Dahiya, CEO and cofounder of the rural-focused commerce platform Rozana. Also recognized are founders of direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands such as Minu Margeret of BlissClub, Pallavi Mohadikar of Palmonas, and Malini Adapureddy of Deconstruct, alongside Prachi Dharani of the cross-border payment platform PayGlocal.
For investors, it is important to note that these startups are private entities. They are not publicly traded on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) or the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Consequently, they do not have a share price, public liquidity, or the same regulatory reporting requirements as listed companies. These ventures are primarily backed by private equity and venture capital firms, such as Peak XV, Tiger Global, Bertelsmann, and Elevation Capital.
While retail investors cannot buy shares in these companies through a trading account, the growth of these startups provides a glimpse into broader market trends. For example, the presence of multiple D2C brands among the nominees reflects the ongoing growth in India's consumer retail segment, where companies are increasingly using data-driven insights to cater to specific niche markets. Similarly, the fintech nominees highlight the continued focus on improving financial access for smaller businesses and simplifying global payments.
Investors tracking the broader startup ecosystem often monitor these awards to identify emerging sectors and leaders that may eventually look toward public listings in the future. However, direct exposure to these companies remains limited to venture capital, private equity, or early-stage angel investing, which carries risks such as a lack of liquidity and the possibility of capital loss. The primary update to track following this announcement will be the final award ceremony, which will reveal which entrepreneurs are selected by the jury as the winners for the 2026 edition.