Ladies Who Lead (LWL), a members-only platform focused on empowering women professionals and leaders, has successfully raised $1 million in a pre-Series A funding round. The round was led by Rainmatter, the investment firm founded by Nithin Kamath, along with participation from the Family Office of Jayant Davar.
The funds will be used to scale LWL’s ecosystem, providing women with more resources, mentorship, and opportunities to connect and grow across multiple sectors. The platform, co-founded in 2021 by Aabha Bakaya and Aditya Ghosh, aims to foster an inclusive and equitable professional environment for women at various stages of their careers.
Empowering Women Leaders
Ladies Who Lead offers a unique space for women to access exclusive mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development programs. Through its two main offerings, the Titan Club and LWL Members Club, LWL provides women with curated events, workshops, and social initiatives aimed at enhancing their leadership skills and business acumen.
The platform’s mission is to break down key barriers that prevent women from advancing in their careers. These include issues like pay disparity, limited networking opportunities, and the lack of accessible mentors. LWL’s focus is also on promoting work-life balance—an issue that is particularly pertinent for women juggling both professional responsibilities and personal commitments.
Addressing Gender Gaps in the Workforce
Despite the increasing number of women in the workforce, gender disparity remains a significant challenge in India. According to research, only 35% of Indian women participate in the workforce, significantly below the global average of 50%. Furthermore, women hold just 18% of senior leadership roles in India, underscoring the need for targeted support and programs aimed at leveling the playing field.
LWL is actively working to change this dynamic by providing women with the resources and guidance needed to climb the corporate ladder, build businesses, and become influencers in their respective fields.
Expanding Nationwide
Currently operational in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore, LWL plans to broaden its reach to other parts of India. The platform has already made significant strides, with over 1,200 members spanning more than 50 industries. With its recent funding, LWL aims to further diversify its membership and reach a larger audience, offering even more opportunities for women to grow professionally.
Through its targeted initiatives, Ladies Who Lead hopes to inspire women across India to achieve their full potential, break barriers, and lead in their respective fields, ultimately driving a cultural shift toward more inclusive leadership across industries.
