How Google, Sequoia are supporting growth plans of women-led startups

A slew of accelerator programmes are reaching out to a segment that has been attracting a tiny share of the funds raised by the entire Indian startup ecosystem

Indian startups had a record year in 2021, having collectively raised the highest amount ever, of $42 billion. But if one were to ask what percentage of these funds were raised by startups led by women founders, the answer would be abysmal.

According to studies, the share of women-led startups in fundraise would be just about six per cent. And if one removes the number of women-founded businesses with a male co-founder, then the number falls even further to 1.5 per cent. Here's another one: India is the third largest startup ecosystem, with over 100 unicorns. However, a mere 15