Her Circle hosted Her Circle Bizruptors 2024 on 31st May at Reliance Corporate Park, Navi Mumbai – an inspiring evening celebrating brave innovators and pioneering entrepreneurs who have challenged the status quo. As participants gathered, anticipation and excitement filled the air, promising to be an evening full of surprises, heartwarming moments and inspiring stories. The grand finale was an emotional culmination of months of anticipation and hard work.
The event kicked off with a warm welcome from host and stand-up comedian Anu Menon, known for her witty dialogue. This was followed by a speech by Taniya Chaitanya, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Her Circle. Taniya highlighted the importance of the BizRaptors initiative, which has signed up over 450,000 women entrepreneurs across India. She highlighted Her Circle’s mission to drive economic and skills equality while bridging the gender gap in the digital space. The evening also recognised the most promising entrepreneurs of 2023-24, selected for their innovation, sustainability, social impact and scalability.
The selection process for the Her Circle Bizruptors awards was rigorous and comprehensive. The competition received over 1,027 applications from across India, showcasing the diverse talents and innovative ideas of women entrepreneurs. These nominations were thoroughly reviewed by an independent jury comprising leading industry figures such as veteran fashion designer Anita Dongre, venture capitalist Tarana Lalwani, entrepreneur and venture capitalist Ankita Vashistha and Taniya Chaitanya, CEO of Her Circle. The judging process involved public voting and in-depth jury deliberations, ensuring a fair and comprehensive assessment of each nominee’s impact and potential.
The venue’s décor was elegant and purposeful, reflecting the theme of entrepreneurial success and sustainability. From the stage set-up to the seating arrangements to the prominently displayed logos, every detail was meticulously planned to underscore the importance of the event. AV displays highlighted the journey of the nominees and winners, adding a personal touch to the celebratory mood of the evening.
The Her Circle Bizruptors awards recognize women across various categories who epitomize excellence and pioneering efforts in their fields.
• Bhavini Parikh, founder of Bunko Junko, winner of the Innovation Award for sustainable fashion brand.
• Anisha Shetty, founder of My Thrift Baby Loot, was recognised for her sustainability efforts.
• Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder, Space Kidz India, who received the Social Impact Award for her work in promoting space science among the youth.
• Akanksha Sharma, founder, CITTA, was recognised for its scalable business model.
• Akanksha Arora, founder of Barker’s Dozen and Arundhati, founder of Beej, received Editor’s Choice Awards for their outstanding entrepreneurial journey.
• Bindi Patel, Founder and Director, ECorrect Pvt Ltd, was named Bizruptor of the Year.
Throughout the evening, the audience was captivated by inspiring anecdotes and encouraging words from the winners and presenters.
Commenting on the occasion, Schauna Chauhan, CEO, Parle Agro Pvt Ltd said, “My father used to liken the challenge to the video games I used to play. I kept playing to win. Just like in video games, even if you lose, you keep playing again and again, overcoming all obstacles and finally succeeding and reaching the next level. It’s the same in life – you keep trying again and again until you find a way.”
Commenting on the challenges they have faced along the way, Lavanya Nari, Vice Chairman, Nari Group of Companies, said, “It has been almost 18 years since I started working at Nari and I think the biggest challenge is that reputation precedes us. Our brand is so linked to weddings that when we try to introduce a new product line and come up with new designs, it is difficult for people to believe that it is of our brand. With the current generation of customers, maybe they will make it happen and believe that even elephants can dance.”
Her Circle Icons were also honoured for their immense contributions in various fields.
1. Zainab Patel, Founder, The Trans Café & The Transformation Salon
2. Dr Jayshree Sharad, Dermatologist and Director, Skinfinitii
3. Shauna Chauhan, CEO, Parle Agro
4. Anshuka Parwani, Founder, Anshuka Yoga
5. Vaishali Shadangle, Designer and Founder, Vaishali S
6. Preity Jhangiani, actress and co-founder of Swen Entertainment
7. Dean Panday, health coach, author and wellness expert
8. Brinda Miller, Hong Festival Director, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival and President, Kala Ghoda Society
9. Lavanya Nari, Vice Chairman, Nari Group
10. Rashi Narang, Founder, Heads Up For Tails
The trophies presented at this event were more than just a symbol of recognition. The Her Circle Bizruptors 2024 Trophy is a striking work of art made from bamboo that embodies the essence of innovation and sustainability. The design features a circular frame with intricate bamboo spokes radiating from a central point, symbolizing the far-reaching impact of women entrepreneurs.
Crafted with a modern design, the trophy blends aesthetic appeal with meaningful symbolism, representing the breaking of barriers and blazing new trails by women entrepreneurs. The trophy’s base proudly displays the Her Circle Bizruptors 2024 logo, highlighting the event’s commitment to recognizing excellence and purposeful entrepreneurship. The trophy is not only a symbol of achievement, but also a testament to the sustainable practices that many of the winners promote in their businesses.
The Her Circle Bizruptors 2024 event was not just a celebration of individual achievements but a powerful statement of the collective potential of women entrepreneurs in India. The event highlighted the importance of support, recognition and a platform for women to showcase their innovation and impact. As the event concluded, anticipation began for Her Circle Bizruptors 2025, promising another year of empowering women to break barriers and redefine the entrepreneurial landscape.
