Why the rising success of women founders means the BFSI sector needs to further customize financial products

RizingHer – an entrepreneurial information network that empowers and arms women leaders with knowledge, insights, mentorship and guidance – curated The Equality Summit 2025 in Delhi on 7th March 2025, which was the eve of International Women’s Day. The event was in partnership with India’s leading law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas & supported by DSP Mutual Fund and IDFC First Bank.

This is the second equality-focused event curated by RizingHer following The Rizing Equality Summit 2024 last February in Mumbai. RizingHer will soldier on with these equality-focused initiatives to take women entrepreneurs to the next level. A time like this is relevant, considering that as of 2024, close to 20 out of nearly 110 Indian unicorns are co-founded and led by women, with the D2C space seeming to emerge as a haven for women entrepreneurs. And India is said to have more than 7000 active startups with at least 1 female founder, accounting for 7.5% of the country’s startup ecosystem, as of 2025.

This is particularly relevant for the BFSI sector in terms of tangible opportunities and imperatives. With more and more women founders thriving and making their mark on the global startup ecosystem, their ventures would require a bit more customized financial products with evolved credit assessments and risk models. Accordingly, policies could be better designed to address the challenges that women entrepreneurs might uniquely face.

The forum gathered a mix of women leaders, aspiring and established women entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders to explore successful women founders from a position of strength & lay out their trials and tribulations, how to upskill through AI and Blockchain, embarking on financial freedom, how to employ mindfulness, engaging with venture debt and more.

The keynote speech – given by Rahul Bhasin, Founder & Managing Partner of Baring Private Equity Partners India – powerfully touched on buoying female leadership, being taken more seriously, competing in a world that’s much more tech-led than before and more.

The event had a stellar investor panel featuring Ritika Rathi of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Nidhi Khurana of SIDBI Venture Capital Fund of Funds, Riya Singh of Soonicorn Ventures and Vanshika Bagrecha of RPSG Capital.

The Equality Summit 2025, also, featured sessions, such as a masterclass by DSP Mutual Fund to foster more financial freedom for women founders, a venture debt session by Rahul Gupta of ValuAble, as well as sessions, like mindfulness, AI, Blockchain and more.

Vandana Shroff, Partner – Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, emphasizes, “At CAM, we’ve endeavoured to guide multiple women-led ventures in India and it never ceases to amaze us how resilient and innovative these women entrepreneurs can be. If we actively work on plugging the gaps, such as fostering better access to capital, well-intentioned mentorship and conducive corporate governance structures, there’s no telling what India could look like 10 years down the line”.

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) is India’s leading law firm that advises a large and diverse set of clients, including domestic and foreign commercial enterprises, financial institutions, PE and VC funds, startups & government and regulatory bodies. CAM has offices in key business centres in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, GIFT City, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

Shrija Agrawal, Founder – RizingTV, remarks, “I’m fairly confident that the next set of wealth creators are going to be women from India and Asia. Slowly and steadily, women in Asia have been increasing their combined wealth by $2 trillion every year since 2019 & I think that’s going to continue to happen where women leaders, entrepreneurs and investors will change the startup ecosystem as we know it. This is the new standard for meaningful wealth creation”.

RizingTV – which RizingHer is a property of – is a new-age and inclusive entrepreneurial information network that aims to be the true mirror reflecting Indian business, finance and technology in the expanse of not just Asia, but also, the global stage. Crafted for the intellectually curious, it explores the tenets that could help India become a $5 trillion economy: gender, capital, innovation, technology, ESG, sustainability, policy and more.

DSP Mutual Fund has spent more than 30 years helping salaried people, rich individuals, NRIs, SMEs, foreign institutional investors and other parties grow their wealth and help them invest better.

Haryana, 21, Feb, 2025 – The XLRI (Xavier’s College of Management) Haryana, in association with the SPIC MACAY , hosted a mesmerizing classical vocal recital by Swati Tiwari Srivastava. The event, attended by management students and faculty, showcased the timeless beauty of Hindustani classical music.

Swati Tiwari, a dedicated vocalist from the Gwalior Gharana, disciple of Vidushi Sashwati Mandal and Vidushi Sunanda Sharma of Benaras Gharana . Swati began her performance with Raga Shyam Kalyan, presenting a soulful Vilambit bandish in Roopak taal, followed by intricate compositions in Drut Laya Ektal and Teental. Her expressive rendition captured the essence of the raga, setting a serene and reflective mood in the auditorium.

The recital then took an exciting turn as she presented a Tappa in Raga Khamaj, a rare style of singing . Her swift taans and rhythmic intricacies left the audience spellbound. Following this, she sang the emotive Dadra “Ganga Reti Pe…”, evoking deep nostalgia and devotion.

She concluded her performance with a Holi composition, filling the air with festive energy and Vibrant melodies.

Swati Tiwari was accompanied by Shri Ujith Udaya Kumar on Tabla and Lalit Sisodia on Harmonium.

The concert was not just a musical evening but also an educational journey for the students and faculty, offering them a glimpse into India’s rich classical heritage. The event successfully resonated with SPIC MACAY’s mission of bringing classical arts closer to the youth.

In a pioneering effort to democratize access to the glamour industry, Glamifame International, under the visionary leadership of Mrs.Tania M. Reddy, has successfully conducted its first ever National Pageant virtually. Concluding on January 26th, 2025, this digital extravaganza provided a platform for 3,641 aspiring contestants from across India, shining a spotlight on talent irrespective of geographical limitations. Tania M. Reddy, a renowned psychologist, corporate leader, and former Mrs. India 2021, embarked on this venture with a singular vision: to bring the world of pageantry into the comfort of every home. Her brainchild, the Glamifame Online Pageant, allowed participants the unique opportunity to showcase their talents without the need for extensive travel or financial strain. “Passion ignites triumph,” asserted Reddy, encapsulating her mission to prove that anyone, from any place in India, can proudly claim, “Yes, I can conquer glam with fame.” The journey began with thousands of hopefuls, but only the best 30 contestants made it through the rigorous auditions. Finally, the competition culminated in 13 exceptional finalists who vied for the coveted titles. During this illustrious finale, contestants were evaluated for their distinct personality traits that they have consistently demonstrated throughout their inspiring journey. The accolades were myriad, with the crowning of various Season Ambassador titles. The Pageant’s finale reached its zenith with the most awaited announcement of three grand winners, each in the categories of Mr, Miss, and Mrs. These outstanding individuals were not alone in the limelight, as the event also celebrated three male runner-ups, alongside one runner-up each in the Miss and Mrs. categories. Here’s the list of our Celebrated Winners, who accepted their roles with elegance and have also excelled, thereby earning for themselves their distinguished Winning titles : MR Category: WINNER: – Mr. Sumit Suryawanshi RUNNER UP 1: – Mr. Rudra Pratap Singh RUNNER UP 2: – Mr. Nishanth Rachala Goud RUNNER UP 3: – Mr. Arun Dalhor MISS Category: WINNER: – Miss. Urmi Parmar – RUNNER UP: Miss.Kashish Nadaf MRS Category: WINNER: – Mrs.Praveena Gunda RUNNER UP: – Mrs. Madhoo Rani The Pageant also honoured each of its finalists as its Season Ambassadors. It appreciated their charm, vision, and exemplary performance, and regarded each of them for being who they are. Below are the titles alongside the talented individuals who embody them: 1. Mrs. Empowered Elegance: – Praveena Gunda: Celebrated for her embodiment of grace and strength, exemplifying empowerment in elegance. 2. Mrs. Versatile Star: – Madhoo Rani: Acknowledged for her adaptability and talent showcased across a variety of domains. 3. Mr. Youth Icon: – Avanish Parab: Inspiring the youth with his charisma and visionary outlook. 4. Mr. Natural Star: – Nisarg Chaudhari: Known for his effortless charm and authenticity in every endeavor. 5. Mr. Universal Virtuoso: – Arun Dalhor: Recognized for mastering diverse skills with excellence and universal appeal. 6. Mr. Determined: – Ravneet Gill: Demonstrating unwavering resolve and a strong commitment to achieving goals. 7. Mr. Charm Incarnate: – Rudra Pratap Singh: A symbol of enchanting charm and a magnetic personality. 8. Mr. Visionary: – Rishabh Bharadwaj: Leading with innovative ideas and forward-thinking perspectives. 9. Mr. Phenomenal: – Nishanth Rachala: Surpassing limits and creating an extraordinary impact. 10. Man with a Purpose: – Sumit Suryawanshi: Driven by mission, inspiring others to lead purposeful lives. 11. Miss Determined: – Kashish Nadaf: Showing persistent focus and drive towards achieving dreams. 12. Miss Elegant: – Urmi Parmar: A paragon of poise and sophistication in every gesture. 13. Mr. Marvel: – Mradul Sachan: Captivating audiences with remarkable talent and an awe-inspiring presence. The GLAMIFAME team also shared heartfelt gratitude and regard towards their esteemed and talented Judges hailing from diverse fields. Mr. Mahesh Reddy, Hyderabad A prominent Pageant figure with five National titles, he is a Corporate Leader and Fitness Enthusiast, an avid reader and enthusiastic traveller. Miss. C V Akshara Rao, Hyderabad An ATH Elite and Etiquette Coach, she is involved in public speaking and social welfare, balancing her corporate role and international travels with grace. Mrs. Chanchal Tak A dedicated mother and three-time National Pageant winner, she actively participates in content creation, dancing, and preserving Rajasthan’s heritage. With this groundbreaking event, Glamifame International has not only set a new standard for pageantry but also inspired countless individuals to dream big, from wherever they are, challenging the conventional approach to pageantry. Through online platforms, Reddy has brought the glitz and glamour of National Pageants to participants’ doorsteps, fostering inclusivity and allowing talent to flourish in its purest form. Amidst India’s embrace of virtual Pageants , Glamifame International shines as a symbol of transformative potential, celebrating diversity and showcasing talent across the nation. It sparks passions, demonstrating that ‘glam’ and ‘fame’ are within everyone’s reach. If you’re 13+ and have a passion beyond modeling, step into the spotlight and become GLAMIFAME’s next ‘Miss, Mrs, Mr, or Teen INDIA INTERNATIONAL’.

Sai University is proud to announce the celebration of its inaugural convocation ceremony, set to take place on the 5th of February 2025 at the university campus. This landmark event will commence at 10:00 AM and will be a significant occasion for the university community as it honors the achievements of its first graduating class.

Event Details

Date: 5th February 2025 (Wednesday)

Venue: Sai University Campus, One Hub Road, OMR, Paiyanur, Chennai – 603104 ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/dAobHKN8dJbyTrSV8 )

Time: 10:00 AM

Honoring Excellence

We are privileged to welcome Padma Vibhushan N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder and Former Chairperson of Infosys, as the Chief Guest, who will deliver the Convocation Address.

Dignitaries in August Presence

Padma Vibhushan Honourable Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, Former Chief Justice of India and Former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (online presence)

Shri Ashank Desai, Co-founder & Former Chairperson, Mastek; Co-founder & Chairman Emeritus, NASSCOM

Padma Shri V. Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Manipal Global Education

Shri Sriram Panchu, Senior Advocate, Madras High Court; Director, International Mediation Institute

Savita Mahajan, Former Deputy Dean, Indian School of Business

Bharti Gupta Ramola, Former Partner, PwC India

K. P. Krishnan, IAS, Former Secretary to the Government of India

Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group

Shri Bhaskaran Ramamurthi, Managing Director, Shraddha Saburi Printers

Shri K. Santhanaraman, Chartered Accountant, Fellow Member of ICAI, and Member of ICSI & ICWAI

Mohamed Rela, Chairman and Director, Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre

Debashis Chatterjee, Director & Distinguished Professor, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode

Celebrating Sai University’s Vision

At Sai University, we are driven by the vision of fostering innovation, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary learning, and global citizenship through education. By cultivating critical thinking and leadership, we aim to empower the next generation to become thought leaders and changemakers, driving societal transformation with integrity, knowledge, and compassion.

The convocation ceremony marks a significant milestone in the university’s history, symbolizing the culmination of hard work, dedication, and perseverance exhibited by the first cohort of graduates. As they enter the professional world, these individuals are poised to become future leaders and innovators in their respective fields.

Event Highlights

Convocation Procession

Conferment of Degrees and Diplomas

Honorary Doctorate Ceremony

Awarding of Medals to Outstanding Graduates

Inspiring Addresses by Dignitaries

Interaction with Educators

This is a unique opportunity to witness the confluence of academic excellence, thought leadership, and Sai University’s commitment to shaping the future.

We invite media representatives, faculty, students, and the public to join us in celebrating this proud moment for Sai University and its graduates.