She Invests, She Leads: Unveiling Trailblazing Women In Finance & AI Tech

In the dynamic world of finance and investment, women are not just making their presence felt, they are leading the charge, redefining traditional norms and leaving an indelible mark on the industry. “She Invests, She Leads: Unveiling Trailblazing Women In Finance & AI” celebrates the remarkable journeys of women who have ventured beyond the realm of financial literacy, showcasing the skills, qualities and tenacity essential for success in the investment world and how some are utilising the rapid-growing AI-led tools.

The private equity and venture capital landscape have undergone significant shifts in recent years, with an increasing number of women breaking down entrenched barriers and offering fresh perspectives that drive innovation and diversity.

Aspiring women entrepreneurs dreaming of leaving their imprint in finance and investment are not alone. They are part of a vibrant community driven by purpose and empowerment. Through mentorship, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of progress over perfection, women are paving the way for future generations to flourish in the finance and investment sphere.

Join us as we delve into an insightful discussion with Shefali Chhachhi, Adrija Agarwal, Aparna Thyagarajan and Harpreet Kapoor who are championing diversity, fostering inclusion, and reshaping the narrative of women in finance, investment & AI-enabled business processes.

Edited Excerpts;

Shefali Chhachhi, co-founder, Hearth Ventures

Beyond financial literacy, what skills and qualities do you consider essential for women entrepreneurs to thrive in the investment world?

The private­ equity and venture capital industry has see­n meaningful change in rece­nt years. An increasing number of wome­n are now making their mark, tearing through entrenche­d norms. Women are breaking down barrie­rs by contributing fresh perspective­s that drive innovation and diversity. Studies have shown that women investors tend to be more patient, long-term oriented and risk averse, which can lead to higher returns and lower volatility. Women also tend to invest more in social and environmental causes which can positively impact the world.

Fe­male leaders can thrive­ by adopting diverse strategie­s and a resilient mindset;

• While financial modelling and analytics are table stakes, the X factor for being a successful investor is being able to work across different people for every investment transaction, and being able to adapt to the group dynamics. Investing is a people business, as for the large part, an investor is taking the call not just on the business but also on the people running the business.
• Navigating the give and take in every transaction with the founders requires an attitude of win-win and developing long term relationships based on mutual trust.
• Taking a long-term vie­w that can help weather short-te­rm market or business
• performance fluctuations.
• In balance, also strategically influencing the roadmap for a business and ensuring that there is focus on execution excellence on the right strategy. Testing and learning using data as evidence of success of a strategy.
• Women can bring different skills to the industry to foster a culture for more collaboration, creativity and problem-solving.
• Nurturing our network wealth consciously – not just requesting mentorship but also generously providing guidance to peers, developing deep re­lationships within the industry and prioritising giving before needing can go a long way.

What advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs who dream of making their mark in the world of finance and investment?

Women entrepreneurs have a lot of potential to contribute to the economy and society as they take on exe­cutive roles participating in strategy cre­ation and decision making in investment organisations. Pre­dicted to greatly influence­ expanding areas like ge­nder-focused investme­nt and promoting financial inclusion, our efforts may le­ad to more innovative and equitable financial products and decisions.

My advice is to see this opportunity as a responsibility to society. The moment this becomes a purpose higher than ourselves, the momentum and motivation to learn, apply and grow becomes unstoppable.

Adrija Agarwal, founder, Sattva Ventures

Beyond financial literacy, what skills and qualities do you consider essential for women entrepreneurs to thrive in the investment world?

Today’s women must be financially independent as it allows them to live on their terms, make informed decisions about their lives, and contribute significantly to economic development. Financial independence means not having to rely on anyone for financial support, which fosters a sense of self-worth, confidence, and security. It’s a significant step towards equality which ensures that women have the choice to fulfil their ambitions and freedom to be independent.

I feel that the following skills help women entrepreneurs to succeed in the investment world-

• Resilience and Adaptability: Being resilient and flexible is important for dealing with the unpredictable nature of the investment world, helping women to bounce back when things don’t go as planned and to adapt quickly when circumstances change.
• Strategic Networking: Crucial for unlocking new opportunities, forming partnerships, and gaining mentorship, which are key to growth and success.
• Risk Management: A vital skill that involves identifying potential risks and devising strategies to mitigate them, balancing risk-taking with careful planning
• Leadership and Vision: Strong leadership and a clear vision for the future are indispensable for inspiring teams, driving innovation, and making strategic decisions aligned with long-term goals.
• Confidence to Voice Opinions: Being unafraid to express viewpoints is crucial. IIt enables them to contribute their unique perspective on matters of investment and impact, while advocating for their ideas, and negotiating positions to enhance their impact and influence in this world.

What advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs who dream of making their mark in the world of finance and investment?

While facing the multifaceted course of the finance and investment world, we as women are constantly juggling a myriad of roles, each offering its own set of challenges and opportunities. Our first step to empowerment is the acknowledgment that it’s okay to not have all the answers. This opens us up to the life-changing practice of seeking guidance and wisdom from those who have walked this journey before us, our mentors and role models.

We often find the pursuit of perfection shadowing our course through this complex world. However, perfection is an illusion. Our strength lies in the drive to make progress each day, to grow and learn and to take something from every instance. We learn to prioritise our commitments, accepting that we cannot be all things at all times and shedding the guilt associated with that acceptance.

This story isn’t merely about financial achievement; it’s a validation to our resilience and adaptability. It serves as a reminder to my fellow women entrepreneurs that by accepting our imperfections and valuing incremental progress, we can make meaningful impacts in the finance and investment sphere. Together, we’re not just navigating a career path; we’re paving the way for future generations of women to thrive.

Aparna Thyagarajan, co-founder and chief product officer, Shobitam

What were the biggest challenges you faced as a woman entrepreneur entering the traditionally male-dominated field, and how did you overcome them?

As an entrepreneur and an angel investor, the biggest challenges have been more internal. There is a widespread misconception that women are scared of Finance. Contrary to this, the true F-word that shatters their confidence is fear of Failure! These fears get compounded when you see discouraging figures where only 18% of India’s startup ecosystem has women entrepreneurs and an even smaller % of women get funding for their startups.

I have faced some of the inherent societal biases towards women in general. At some point, the undying passion overthrew my fears and I decided to take the plunge both as an entrepreneur and also enable other women by becoming an Angel investor. Through the process, I have personally invested in 14 startups with at least 1 women founder and also through venture funds to help build the ecosystem for women.

Acquiring financial literacy has been instrumental in my journey. It has helped me make informed, data-driven decisions, plan for resources, and foster growth. An unwavering focus on the problem that we are trying to solve (in our case – making ethnic wear accessible globally) and faith in our vision has helped me tide through many crises. Adequate financial acumen, not succumbing to pressure, becoming an Angel investor with a laser focus on top quality people, adapting to market behaviours and the company’s financial health have helped me navigate the challenges.

Can you share a specific instance where you, as a woman leader, championed diversity and inclusion within your organisation or the broader financial industry?

As a women leader, it is my responsibility to reserve a seat for other budding women entrepreneurs at the table and change the construct of the room, since it is the crux of the problem today. As an Angel Investor, I rarely see women in the investment committees and it’s mostly men who are making decisions for funding startups. So there are a series of steps that I have taken in my capacity as an angel investor and an entrepreneur to help address this fundamental problem.

As an investor, I have consciously asked for experienced women leaders to join investment decision meetings, encourage VC funds and also personally invested in promising women-founded startups that are at very early stages.

As a woman entrepreneur, I feel that financial independence is the biggest form of women empowerment. To promote and nurture the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst students, we have set up the Shobitam Center for Women Entrepreneurship in collaboration with BITS Pilani. At the grassroots level too, we actively seek out women artisans, and promote their talent to generate a healthy pipeline of work for them. It ensures fair wage practices and gives them the recognition that they truly deserve.

Our flexible working hour policies have helped us retain talent and create a globally diverse workforce while inspiring both inclusion and diversity across our organisation. A true need of the hour for women!

Harpreet Kapoor, chief business officer, Konverz.ai.

Considering India’s unique social and economic landscape, how can women leaders leverage AI to address specific challenges faced by Indian businesses and empower women in the workforce?

By using AI-driven solutions for skill development, fostering supportive work cultures through AI-driven HR tools. Using AI hiring solutions one can also make remote employment and customised mentoring programs possible, giving women a better work-life balance.

Women leaders may promote diversity by using AI to detect and lessen gender biases in recruiting and promotion decisions. Increased creativity and productivity in the workforce can result from women’s empowerment, which would ultimately support India’s social and economic advancement.

What role can AI play in bridging the digital divide in India, and how can women leaders ensure ethical and inclusive AI adoption within their organisations?

AI can close the digital gap in India, for instance, collaborating with AI-hiring solutions platforms that give diversity and inclusion top priority in their algorithms, women leaders may guarantee the ethical and inclusive deployment of AI within their enterprises. Gender-balanced teams can be promoted and bias in hiring procedures reduced by utilising AI-driven hiring solutions.

Furthermore, female executives can promote open AI algorithms and allocate resources for continuous education to encourage responsible AI application, guaranteeing that all staff members have equal access to AI advantages. For instance, women leaders may promote diversity by using AI to detect and lessen gender biases in recruiting and promotion decisions.

With a growing focus on women’s entrepreneurship in India, how can AI empower these women to compete globally and contribute to sustainable development goals within the country?

By giving Indian women entrepreneurs access to talent pools with a variety of skill sets and specialisations, AI-powered recruiting platforms can empower them. Women entrepreneurs may create teams with complementary strengths and promote innovation and competitiveness in the global market by utilising AI-driven recruitment solutions.

AI can also provide insights into customer preferences and industry trends, allowing female entrepreneurs to effectively customise their goods and services for global markets. Additionally, women-led firms can benefit from AI-driven sustainability analytics by aligning with sustainable development goals, which will improve their brand and attract global consumers who care about social issues. This would boost India’s sustainable development initiatives.

In the Indian context, what specific skills and knowledge should women leaders cultivate to prepare themselves and their businesses for the responsible use of AI?

Indian women leaders ought to get a thorough awareness of AI technology, including their moral ramifications and their social effects. They ought to acquire expertise in analysing and interpreting data to properly utilise AI-driven insights for making strategic decisions. Furthermore, maintaining a culture of ongoing learning and flexibility is essential to staying up to date with AI developments.

Building inclusive and diverse teams should be a top priority for women executives to reduce prejudice in AI systems and guarantee fair results. Furthermore, navigating complicated AI governance frameworks with the assistance of regulatory bodies and AI professionals can help ensure that AI is adopted responsibly and ethically within their enterprises.