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On April 4, 2025, President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies sent shockwaves through global financial markets, triggering widespread turmoil and stoking fears of an economic downturn. The administration’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs—ranging from a 10% baseline on all imports to targeted rates as high as 50% on key trading partners like China, Canada, and Mexico—marked a dramatic escalation in Trump’s long-standing pledge to reshape U.S. trade. While the president touts these measures as a means to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce the $1.2 trillion goods trade deficit, the immediate fallout has been a steep market sell-off, with the S&P 500 plunging nearly 5% in a single day, its worst performance since June 2020. The tariffs, unveiled in a White House address, aim to retaliate against perceived trade imbalances and practices like currency manipulation. Trump argues they will force companies to relocate production to the U.S., creating jobs and strengthenin...
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Women‑led VC funds in India, 2021‑25 trendline – are cheque sizes growing?

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Between 2021 and 2025, India has witnessed a notable evolution in the landscape of women-led venture capital (VC) funds. While the overall funding environment has experienced fluctuations, there has been a discernible shift towards larger cheque sizes and increased participation of women in the VC ecosystem.


📊 Funding Trends: 2021–2025

2021: Marked a peak year for women-led startups, securing approximately $6.5 billion in funding. This surge was attributed to heightened investor interest and a favorable funding climate. 

2022: Early-stage funding for women-led startups nearly doubled, with $1.1 billion raised compared to $550.5 million in 2021. This growth increased their share of early-stage funding from 7.8% to 13.4%. 

2023: A significant downturn occurred, with funding for women-led startups plummeting to $480 million, representing just 5% of the total startup funding in India. 

2024: A rebound was observed, as women-led startups raised approximately $930 million across 136 deals, indicating a 94% year-on-year increase. 


💰 Cheque Sizes and Investment Patterns

The average cheque sizes for women-led startups have shown an upward trajectory, particularly in sectors like fintech, ecommerce, and enterprise tech. In 2024, fintech startups led by women attracted $266.91 million across 17 deals, suggesting larger individual investments. Similarly, ecommerce ventures secured $212.04 million over 53 deals, and enterprise tech garnered $130.20 million through 14 deals. 

This trend indicates a growing confidence among investors in the scalability and profitability of women-led ventures, leading to more substantial financial commitments.

👩‍💼 Rise of Women in Venture Capital

The presence of women in VC roles has been steadily increasing. Firms like Avaana Capital, led by Anjali Bansal, have emphasized diversity, with nearly 40% of their portfolio companies having women founders. Similarly, the Indian Angel Network (IAN) Fund boasts a 50% female investment team, reflecting a conscious effort to promote gender diversity in investment decisions. 

Moreover, initiatives like the Women in Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF), launched in 2024 with a $10 million commitment, aim to empower women entrepreneurs by enhancing their access to digital tools and platforms. 

🔮 Outlook

While challenges persist, including funding disparities and systemic biases, the increasing cheque sizes and the proactive inclusion of women in investment roles signal a positive shift. Continued efforts to support women-led startups through targeted funds, mentorship, and policy interventions are essential to sustain and accelerate this momentum.

In summary, the period from 2021 to 2025 has been transformative for women-led VC funds in India, marked by resilience, growth in investment sizes, and a gradual dismantling of traditional barriers in the venture capital landscape.


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