Ladies Who Lead (LWL), a growing platform focused on empowering women professionals, has successfully raised $1 million in a pre-Series A funding round. The round was led by
Ladies Who Lead (LWL), a growing platform focused on empowering women professionals, has successfully raised $1 million in a pre-Series A funding round. The round was led by Rainmatter, the investment firm founded by Nikhil Kamath of Zerodha, with additional backing from the Family Office of Jayant Davar.
This investment will help LWL expand its ecosystem and provide women with the resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities they need to break barriers and achieve leadership roles across India.
Founded in 2021 by Aabha Bakaya and Aditya Ghosh, Ladies Who Lead has rapidly grown into a dynamic hub for women entrepreneurs, veterans, and professionals. Through its exclusive platform, LWL offers mentorship, curated workshops, upskilling initiatives, and networking opportunities, all designed to foster women’s professional growth.
The platform aims to solve common challenges women face in the workplace—such as pay disparity, lack of mentorship, and struggles with work-life balance. By addressing these issues, LWL creates a supportive environment where women can excel and rise into leadership positions.
Aabha Bakaya, the CEO of LWL, believes strongly in the power of women to shape their destinies. She shares, “I believe women should own their destiny—empowered to choose, shape, and grow in a way that is fulfilling for them. Our platform enables women to build strong connections and relationships that will help them thrive in their personal and professional lives.”
With the latest funding, LWL aims to expand its influence, reaching even more women across India and giving them the tools to succeed.
Currently, LWL is active in key cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and with the new investment, the startup is set to scale its operations nationwide. By offering personalized support, LWL ensures that women from diverse backgrounds have access to the opportunities they need to thrive.
The platform’s community-driven approach includes assigning a dedicated community contact to each member, who curates a tailored experience to help them navigate the hurdles of the professional world. LWL’s focus on personalized engagement sets it apart from other professional networks, ensuring that each member receives the attention and support they deserve.
Despite strides toward gender equality, women still occupy a small fraction of leadership roles in India. A 2024 Fortune India report reveals that women hold only 1.6% of leadership positions in the Fortune India 500 companies. Moreover, 30-40% of women leave the workforce before reaching middle management, often due to family responsibilities or a lack of support.
LWL is tackling these challenges head-on by creating a community support system designed to keep women engaged and supported throughout their careers. The platform aims to help women break through the barriers that traditionally hold them back from achieving higher management roles.
By offering leadership development programs and providing access to industry experts, LWL is committed to increasing women’s representation in management roles. This, in turn, will contribute to India’s goal of achieving a $30 trillion GDP by 2047—a target that will be difficult to reach without greater participation from women in the workforce.
One of the most significant challenges women face in the workplace is the high dropout rate among those in mid-to-senior management positions. LWL is focusing its efforts on creating a community of support for these women, helping them navigate career challenges, balance responsibilities, and thrive in their leadership roles.
Aabha Bakaya explains, “It’s time we realise the power and need of community support systems, especially for women approaching mid-to-senior management positions, where the dropout rate is the highest. India’s GDP target of $30 trillion cannot be met without women’s participation in upper management.”
With over 1,200 members already from a range of industries, Ladies Who Lead is building a collaborative ecosystem where women can support each other, share their experiences, and grow together. The platform has already made significant strides in creating opportunities for women to take charge of their careers, and it aims to reach even more women in the future.
Ladies Who Lead is on a mission to address the gender disparities that continue to persist in leadership roles. With the funding it has secured, the startup is well-positioned to make a significant impact on the careers of women across India, empowering them to break through barriers and take on leadership roles in various industries.
By expanding its reach, offering personalized mentorship, and creating a supportive community, LWL is making sure women have the tools and resources they need to succeed. The funding from Rainmatter and other investors is a strong endorsement of LWL’s vision, and it signals the beginning of a new chapter in the empowerment of women professionals across India.
Ladies Who Lead is revolutionizing the way women approach career growth and leadership. With $1 million in fresh funding, the platform is set to scale its efforts nationwide, bringing valuable resources and mentorship to women professionals everywhere. By addressing systemic challenges and creating a community of support, LWL is helping women break down the barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
As the platform grows, it is poised to make a lasting impact on India’s workforce and help pave the way for more women to assume leadership positions in the future.
