Power to her purpose: Shiprocket Aarambh 2025 to spotlight the next wave of women-led startups

Participants selected, the countdown is on, and Shiprocket Aarambh 2025 is set to unveil the next wave of women-led startups to watch out for. Happening virtually on May 9 from 3 pm to 5 pm via Zoom, the sixth edition of Shiprocket Aarambh promises to be a vibrant showcase of innovation, resilience, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

With the theme ‘Power to Her Purpose’, Shiprocket’s flagship initiative reaffirms its long-standing commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs leading MSMEs across India. Shiprocket Aarambh is a launchpad that helps women founders scale their businesses through funding, mentorship, investor access, and platform support. In partnership with YourStory, the initiative seeks to discover and accelerate high-potential women-led ventures from every corner of the country.

Over the past five editions, Aarambh has supported over 50 women-led startups, several of which have gone on to feature on Shark Tank India and build successful businesses. Notable alumni include Shyle, InsideFPV, Ariro Toys, and Isak Fragrance, each demonstrating how platforms like Aarambh can turn bold ideas into thriving enterprises.

Fueling ambition with capital and mentorship

At its core, Shiprocket Aarambh is designed to empower emerging women entrepreneurs not just with inspiration but with the tools they need to build sustainable, scalable businesses. This year, the stakes are higher and the support deeper.

Participants stand to gain under three categories — leading category where the winner will receive capital of upto Rs 50 lakhs, scaling category under which winners will receive capital of upto Rs 30 lakhs and emerging category where winners stand to receive capital of up to Rs 15 lakhs. The capital will be disbursed via Shiprocket Capital at a special discounted interest rate. Along with this winners also gain mentorship and access to a network of seasoned investors and business leaders.

Speaking about Aarambh’s vision, Saahil Goel, MD and CEO of Shiprocket, said, “With Aarambh, we’re not just spotlighting women entrepreneurs—we’re building the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive economy. Every idea pitched here represents the grit, purpose, and potential that drive Bharat’s growth story. Aarambh 2025 is about recognising that power and accelerating it with the right support, capital, and visibility.”

The grand finale on May 9 will feature pitches from 20 shortlisted women-led startups, evaluated by a distinguished four-member jury. These industry leaders bring their expertise from the worlds of entrepreneurship, investment, and consumer innovation:

• Neha Kant, Founder & Director, Clovia
• Sairee Chahal, Founding Partner, Appreciate Capital
• Rekha Bala, Lead Editor - HerStory and SocialStory, YourStory
• Gautam Kapoor, COO - Shiprocket

With such a stellar jury, participants can expect both thoughtful critique and valuable insight, making Shiprocket Aarambh not just a competition but a masterclass in business-building.

Backing growth with Shiprocket Capital

A key pillar of Aarambh’s value offering is Shiprocket Capital, a fintech solution designed to provide MSMEs with fast, flexible access to capital. For many women entrepreneurs, especially those running bootstrapped ventures in Tier II and Tier III cities, traditional financing is difficult to access. Shiprocket Capital addresses this gap with a tech-enabled, performance-based lending model.

Through Shiprocket Capital, businesses can:

• Apply for collateral-free loans up to Rs 30 crores
• Repay via revenue-based models that align with business cycles
• Benefit from fast approvals, minimal paperwork, and dashboard integration via the Shiprocket platform

What sets this model apart is its inclusivity. Entrepreneurs are evaluated based on business performance, not just credit scores, democratising access to working capital in a way that aligns with modern, digital-first MSMEs. For Aarambh 2025 finalists, this isn’t just a pitch opportunity; it’s a chance to gain the financial momentum required to take their businesses to the next level, with discounted interest rates offered exclusively to winners through Shiprocket Capital.

With Aarambh 2025, Shiprocket is not only spotlighting India’s women entrepreneurs, but it’s investing in their future. As the countdown to May 9 begins, all eyes are on the 20 exceptional founders preparing to showcase their ideas, challenge the status quo, and power their purpose into action.