GoDaddy Survey Highlights Rise of Women Entrepreneurs in India

Women-owned businesses contribute to local economies, create new jobs and support households, making it essential to continue supporting women in digital entrepreneurship and work to help ensure opportunity is inclusive for all. GoDaddy’s 2024 Global Entrepreneurship Survey showed that nearly one in three (30%) of Indian entrepreneurs surveyed classified themselves as female. 

Women can start an online business with a digital device at anytime

A new era of opportunity and accessibility for women entrepreneurs of all ages is underway. Female entrepreneurs in India are more likely to be older than male entrepreneurs; over three in five (62%) of women entrepreneurs surveyed are over the age of 30 compared to 55% of men. Furthermore, over half (52%) of women entrepreneurs in India said they have not completed university, debunking a commonly perceived requirement for starting a business.

These data points highlight that women entrepreneurs from a variety of backgrounds and in different stages of life are more empowered than ever to take their idea for a business online because of the digital technologies available to them.

In India, they show optimism. In the next three-to-five years, 39% of women surveyed said they expect their business to grow rapidly (defined as at least 50% growth), just behind the 42% of male entrepreneurs in India who anticipate the same growth.

With a new calendar year fast approaching, the optimism of these respondents encourages aspiring women entrepreneurs in India and globally to consider taking the leap to become a business owner.

AI technologies can help level the playing field, but more support is needed

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to play a key role in supporting women entrepreneurs, helping to level the playing field by making it easier to kickstart their own venture.

Indian women are not only more adoptive of AI technologies, but also show as more confident in using them (62% of women vs. 58% of men), showcasing a confidence and resilience that is helpful to thrive against larger, better-resourced businesses ahead of the important holiday shopping season.

However, while AI can provide support on a variety of business-essential tasks, mentorship and guidance is another topic of importance for female entrepreneurs in India.

Over four in five (82%) of Indian women shared that they have sought mentorship or guidance on their entrepreneurial journey thus far, higher than men (73%).  This desire for guidance by female entrepreneurs highlights an opportunity for civic leaders, policymakers and other organizations to engage with nurturing entrepreneurial growth for those interested in starting their own venture.

Women-owned businesses are harnessing AI to maximise online sales channels

Another interesting finding from GoDaddy’s survey was the importance of online sales channels for women-owned businesses. Among businesses that generate at least 51% of annual revenue from online sales channels, women-owned businesses are more reliant these platforms to help reach customers and sell products and services to them than as reported by men.

In today’s digital environment, customers expect to find dynamic multimedia marketing across online sales channels from businesses of all sizes. Furthermore, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have rolled out built-in shopping features, allowing businesses to sell on a variety of channels within their digital presence to help engage with more customers and grow their business.  

Women entrepreneurs in India are acting proactively on this front to harness the capabilities of AI, and in turn are realising their benefits in order to continue thriving. When asked which areas of their business they think would benefit the most from AI, marketing was the most common answer from Indian women: 60%.

In conclusion, advancements in digital technologies are empowering women entrepreneurs from a variety of backgrounds and in different stages of life to not only take a business online, but to feel optimistic about their entrepreneurial journey and thrive when competing against larger, better-resourced businesses. GoDaddy continues to support this new wave of women entrepreneurs and small business owners with its range of products and resources readily available.

Author: Selina Bieber, VP, International Markets at GoDaddy