PC: The Entrepreneurs
Members-only women professionals and leaders’ platform Ladies Who Lead has raised $1 million in its pre-Series A funding round. Led by Rainmatter, the investment firm founded by Nithin Kamath, and with contributions from the Family Office of Jayant Davar, the funding marks a significant milestone for LWL as it seeks to expand its ecosystem and enhance the resources available to women across various sectors.
Founded in 2021 by Aabha Bakaya and Aditya Ghosh, Ladies Who Lead is an initiative aimed at supporting and amplifying the voices of women in leadership roles. The platform provides a variety of resources, including mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development activities through its exclusive Titan and LWL Members clubs. With a mission to foster an equitable professional environment, LWL aims to create a space where women can thrive, drive change, and advance in their careers.
The funding will allow LWL to expand its offerings and scale its initiatives, such as curated workshops, mentorship programs, upskilling opportunities, and social events. These initiatives are crucial in addressing key barriers women face in achieving leadership positions, including pay disparities, limited networking, and a need for more effective work-life balance.
According to the latest market surveys, Indian women comprise only 35% of the workforce, significantly lower than the global average of 50%. Also, women occupy a mere 18% senior leadership roles in India. Therefore, it is all the more important to provide platforms such as LWL to empower women and help them professionally grow. In this way, Ladies Who Lead is proactively working to fill this gap and promote gender equity at work.
Currently, LWL works in major metropolitan cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore, where it has built a community of over 1,200 members from more than 50 industries. With the new funding, the platform aims to expand its reach across India, diversifying its membership and engaging a broader audience of women professionals.
Recognition and backing by prominent investors such as Nithin Kamath and the Family Office of Jayant Davar further accentuate the growing importance of initiatives that are helping to promote women’s leadership and empowerment. Kamath has been known for contributions made to the fintech space through Zerodha, and he has shown an interest in innovative ventures designed to create a positive social impact.
Ladies Who Lead not only focuses on professional advancement but also emphasizes the importance of building a supportive community among women. By holding networking events and fostering connections, the platform helps members share experiences, challenges, and successes, creating a collaborative environment that enhances personal and professional growth.
In conclusion, the $1 million funding round led by Rainmatter is a great step forward for Ladies Who Lead in its endeavor to further women’s cause in leadership. As LWL plans to expand its offerings and reach, it is sure to have a lasting impact on the professional landscape for women in India. The more it grows, the more significant role it will play in addressing barriers to women’s advancement and creating a more inclusive and equitable work environment.
