Research shows that small and growing businesses with a female founder receive only 11% of seed financing, despite evidence that women-led enterprises produce stronger returns for investors. At Upaya, we’re striving to reach and maintain a gender-balanced investment portfolio. We are proud to support many women entrepreneurs in growing their businesses and creating dignified jobs in their communities.

To celebrate Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on November 19th, we’re shining a spotlight on the many companies in our investment portfolio that are led by women entrepreneurs. From agribusiness to handicrafts to waste management, our women entrepreneurs work tirelessly to grow their businesses and expand their impact in a wide variety of industries in India.

Meet Our Women-Led Partner Companies

Featured

Bharat Krushi Seva

Bharat Krushi Seva provides full-stack services through a data driven app-based platform to improve the decision making process of farmers at different stages of production.

Hasiru Dala

Hasiru Dala is a waste management enterprise that works with marginalized waste pickers to help them create better livelihoods while providing end to end waste management services.

ONganic Foods

ONganic Foods is a leading organic foods company that works across the entire value chain, from farming and processing to research and development to domestic sales in both B2B and B2C categories.

Shoegaro Fashions

Shoegaro is a social business headquartered in Agra, India that provides a reliable platform to connect artisans making handmade shoes with demand centers across India in low & middle-income segments.

Manikstu Agro

Manikstu Agro aims to change the landscape of goat farming in Odisha. With a goal to create a large scale state of the art goat farm, they hope to raise awareness and information on the practices and upkeep of sustainable goat farming and breeding.

Nugu Handmade

Iron Stone Handicrafts makes handmade ceramic dining and decor products for the hospitality and retail market. Artisans come from local communities, and through training and recruiting, these individuals are able to make a living wage which promotes growth opportunities for a blossoming artisan community.

FreshR

ZooFresh Foods is a social enterprise based in Odisha, India that connects smallholder farmers with under-served markets to eliminate waste, increase farmer incomes, and enhance consumer access to local meats.

Saahas

Saahas collects and processes waste from corporate offices, residential apartments, manufacturing facilities, schools, hotels and hospitals across Bangalore and Chennai.

Maitri Livelihood Services

Maitri Livelihood Services has been an Upaya partner since 2015. The domestic service placement and management company recruits, trains, and secures employment for women from disadvantaged Northeast communities.