When we imagine the AI revolution, we frequently picture labs, algorithms and male-dominated founder rooms. A powerful change is silently underway, women entrepreneurs are progressively leading the next wave of AI start-ups. They are developing new points of view, compassion and domain-driven insights to technology that has long lacked human connection.
At Iksha Labs, I have witnessed how diversity in developing teams is not just a social aim – it’s a competitive benefit. Women entrepreneurs are performing AI solutions that address true human issues, especially in health, education, inclusion and sustainability.
In this article, I share how women entrepreneurs are making their spot in AI, what obstacles they witness, and how the ecosystem can improve to enable their success.
Why Women in AI Matter: Building the Relation:
Women stay marginalized in AI and deep tech positions in India as well as globally. Only 22% of AI roles in India are held by women, as per the recent studies. On the other hand, women’s enlistment in AI/ML courses is up swinging – in recent years, women make up around 20% of AI and ML master’s students, according to some reports.
Women are solely placed to recognize gaps in domains traditionally dominated by male-led teams – healthcare access, maternal health analytics, inclusive education, etc. There are challenges such as access to capital, technical mentorship, societal expectations, infrastructure, and biases remain hurdles. The increase of women-led AI start-ups is both exciting and necessary if opportunity is given.
How Women Entrepreneurs are Shaping the AI Frontier
Q1) What do women founders bring to the AI space that’s unique?
A) Women bring a refreshing balance of technical skill and emotional intelligence. Their leadership style often emphasizes collaboration, empathy, and purpose. This leads to products that don’t just function efficiently, but also connect meaningfully with users.
I have noticed women-led AI start-ups tend to focus on solving real-world problems that affect communities – from health diagnostics and education access to social inclusion. That combination of empathy and precision gives them an edge in making technology more humane.
Q2) What challenges do women AI entrepreneurs have to go through- beyond the usual start-ups’ obstacles?
A) While progress is visible, the path is still uneven. Funding remains one of the biggest hurdles – women-led start-ups often face tougher scrutiny from investors. The mentorship network in deep tech is also still male-dominated, making it harder for women founders to find the right technical guidance early on.
There are also social and structural challenges. Many women balance professional and personal responsibilities in ways that male founders rarely have to consider. Add to that the perception that deep tech is “too technical” for women, and you have an environment that still needs a mindset shift.
Q3) Can you share instances of women-led AI start-ups that are making waves?
A) Yes, these examples portray that women can and are developing world-class AI ventures. Their journeys mainly blend technical excellence, product vision and social ambition.
– Geetha Manjunath: Geetha Manjunath, Founder & CEO of NIRAMAI, leading an AI-driven, non-invasive breast cancer screening tech in India. Her work connects tech and deep social impact.
– Aditi Avasthi: A well-known EdTech entrepreneur who has used data analytics and AI to personalize student learning experiences.
Q4 ) How is the landscape evolving – are things improving for women in AI?
A) Yes, slowly but surely. Women’s enrolment in AI courses is rising, and there’s more awareness around gender inclusion in tech. Governments, accelerators, and investors are starting to launch dedicated programs for women founders in AI and deep tech.
But the real change comes from the community itself – from founders who support each other, share networks, and create visibility for upcoming women entrepreneurs. It’s that sense of collaboration that’s making the ecosystem more inclusive.
Q5) What can tech ecosystems, governments and investors do to accelerate this wave?
A) I think it starts with trust and opportunity. Investors need to look beyond traditional patterns and back women-led ideas with conviction. We need more mentorship programs that bring experienced AI professionals together with new women founders. And access to technical infrastructure – compute power, data sets, and AI tools – should be easier and more affordable for smaller teams.
Above all, we need to normalize seeing women in AI leadership roles – not as a headline, but as a standard.
Q6) How can women founder themselves prepare to succeed in AI?
A) Focus deeply on the problem you want to solve. Build your technical foundation, stay curious, and don’t let the pace of the industry intimidate you. AI can feel complex, but its rewards persistence and clarity of purpose.
Also, don’t hesitate to tell your story. Your journey can inspire others, and visibility matters more than most realize. When more women step forward and share their vision, it encourages others to believe that they can, too.
Conclusion
The next wave of AI start-ups will not be defined by raw algorithms alone, but by intentional intelligence – tech that understands humanity, fosters inclusion and solves meaningful problems. Women entrepreneurs are central to making that wave real.
At Iksha Labs, we believe the future is not just about smarter machines, but about more equitable innovation. The vision we build today must reflect the diversity of the world we live in. Women-led AI start-ups are not optional – they are essential.
Let’s champion, mentor, invest in and amplify this wave. The next chapter of AI needs their voice.
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