Indian women-led companies are revolutionizing the corporate landscape by leading in Initial Public Offerings, breaking barriers, and eradicating stereotypes.
In recent years, the Indian business landscape has seen a significant and inspiring shift as women leaders have stepped into the spotlight, spearheading their companies through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) on the Indian stock exchange. These women are not only shattering glass ceilings but also demonstrating that gender is no longer a barrier to success in finance and entrepreneurship.
Women have led a surge of successful IPOs in India, demonstrating their resilience, vision, and determination. These women are making their mark in traditionally male-dominated industries, ranging from tech-savvy entrepreneurs to seasoned corporate executives. Here are some of the remarkable women who have led their companies to IPOs in India, as well as their journeys and the transformative impact they've had on the Indian business landscape. These trailblazers are not only propelling their companies to new heights but also inspiring a new generation of female entrepreneurs, reaffirming that India's corporate world is indeed female-led.
Nykaa, Falguni Nayar
Nykaa, an Indian e-commerce company, sells beauty, wellness, and fashion products through its website, mobile app, and over 100 physical stores. It also offers a sub-brand, Nykaa Fashion, which offers top designers' clothing and accessories, as well as tech accessories like cameras, smartwatches, and power banks.
Falguni Nayar, an Indian businesswoman, founded Nykaa, a leading e-commerce platform for beauty and wellness products. Her entrepreneurial journey has transformed the Indian beauty retail landscape, making her a prominent figure in the industry.
Nykaa's IPO opened on October 28, 2021, with a price range of Rs 1,085-1,125 per share. The IPO included a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 630 crore, with allotment finalized on November 8, 2021. The shares were listed on the BSE and NSE on November 10, 2021.
VLCC Health Care Limited, Vandana Luthra
VLCC Health Care Limited, founded in 1989, is a leading beauty and wellness company in India. With over 100 institutes across India, it offers courses in aesthetics, makeup artistry, esthiology, hairdressing, nutrition, spa therapies, nail artistry, and more. The company also has a team of medical doctors and physiotherapists.
Vandana Luthra is a well-known figure in India's wellness and fitness industry. VLCC (Vandana Luthra Curls & Curves) which a popular chain of beauty and wellness centers has been founded by her. Vandana shares a background in nutrition and beauty therapy and has been instrumental in popularizing the concept of holistic wellness in India.
VLCC Health Care's IPO, originally scheduled for December 2021, has been postponed due to improved stock market conditions and management decisions. The new launch date is expected soon, involving a 300 crore equity share issue and 89.2 lakh share sale.
MobiKwik, Upasana Taku
MobiKwik, founded in 2009, is an Indian payment service provider offering a mobile phone-based payment system and digital wallet. It enables Indian consumers to store money in a virtual wallet, enabling them to use it across various channels for payments and shopping.
MobiKwik, founded by Bipin Preet Singh and Upasana Taku, is a husband-and-wife team. Upasana Taku, Co-Founder of the company, aims to simplify payment acceptance for Indian retailers by integrating a million more, overseeing bank partnerships, business operations, and talent acquisition.
The firm filed its draft IPO prospectus with SEBI in July 2021. MobiKwik IPO aims for a valuation of around $1 billion, with a Rs. 1900 crore issue size, up to Rs. 1500 crore share issue, and Rs. 400 crore offer for sale. MobiKwik plans to file for an IPO within the next 12-18 months, as confirmed by Upasana Taku, Chairperson, Cofounder & COO of the company.
UPCOMING IPOs
Mamaearth, Ghazal Alagh
Mamaearth is an Indian brand that offers natural, toxin-free skin, hair, and baby care products. Established in 2016, it is Asia's first MadeSafe-certified brand. The company offers safe, toxin-free, international-standard skin, hair, body, baby, and makeup products, relying on moms' genuine reviews for product improvement and new solutions along with providing discounts and working with a panel of moms to improve products.
Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of Mamaearth, an Indian brand specializing in personal and baby care products, has significantly contributed to the brand's success and reputation in the personal care and wellness industry in India.
Mamaearth's IPO will open on October 31, 2023, and close on November 2, 2023, with a price range of Rs 308 to Rs 324 per equity share, encompassing a fresh issue of up to Rs 365 crore. Mamaearth IPO offers a fresh issue of up to Rs 365 crore and an offer for sale of up to 4.12 crore equity shares, with the final allotment expected on November 7, 2023.
The Good Glamm, Priyanka Gill & Naiyya Saggi
The Good Glamm Group is a global content-to-commerce company that produces and sells personal care and cosmetic products. Recognized in Beauty Matter's Future50 list, it achieved unicorn status in 2021 after a $150 million Series D funding round. The group comprises leading brands in color cosmetics, hair care, and organic personal care. The Good Glamm Group is a rapidly growing portfolio of DTC beauty and personal care brands, aiming to become the future global FMCG conglomerate.
The Good Glamm Group, formed by Darpan Sanghvi, Priyanka Gill, and Naiyya Saggi, was formed after the merger of MyGlamm, POPxo, and BabyChakra, a digital community platform for millennial women, and BabyChakra, a content platform for young mothers, in September 2021.
Good Glamm Group plans to launch an IPO in early 2024, prioritizing profitability, says co-founder Naiyya Saggi whereas CEO Darpan Sanghvi suggests it might happen in early 2025.
What is an IPO?
An IPO is a crucial financial event where a privately held company raises capital, liquidity, and visibility by offering stock to the public. It involves regulatory approvals, underwriting, and price determination. IPOs offer growth, funding, and investment opportunities for companies, but also carry risks due to potential share price volatility during initial trading days. IPOs are also referred to as crucial financial events, closely watched by investors, analysts, and media, indicating a company's growth and a significant step in its development.
