What Are Famous Startups Founded And Run By Women?
Women-owned startups have been taking up space in the entrepreneurial world for some time now. According to a report in 2017, there was a 114 percent rise in women-owned companies between 1997 and 2017. In this article, we look at some famous startups founded and run by women across the world.
1. Canva, Melanie Perkins
Melanie Perkins is the CEO and co-founder of the famous online design and publishing company, Canva. The Australian entrepreneur was hailed as one of the youngest founders of a tech unicorn as she was just 19 when she launched the online design space that eventually became Canva.
In June 2020, Canva announced a new valuation of $6 billion from US$3.2 billion after raising a $60 million round, thus making it one of the most successful startups founded by a woman. Perkins told Forbes in an interview that the company also provides services for “25,000+ non-profit organizations around the world.”
2. Glossier, Emily Weiss
Emily Weiss is the founder and CEO of Glossier, a New York-based beauty and make-up brand that produces a wide array of products. This e-commerce platform began as a blog that featured interviews of women discussing products they love.
Glossier raised about $10 million venture backing in its first year, and five years later, the best-selling beauty company confirmed Series D funding for over $100 million. Famous celebrities like Beyoncé and Tiffany Haddish have also been spotted rocking the Glossier look.
3. Click Network, Gillian Tan
This Singapore-based online video network was founded in 2007 by Gillian Tan. Click Network produces original lifestyle videos and mini-series on beauty, fitness, wellness, travel, parenting, and comedy.
This network is currently the most subscribed YouTube channel in Singapore, and Gillian Tan herself is regarded as one of the pioneers of Web Content in Singapore.
4. Goodr, Jasmine Crowe
Goodr is a food waste management platform that collects surplus food from businesses/organizations and redirects them to non-profit organizations that distribute the food to people experiencing food scarcity. Founded in 2017 by Jasmine Crowe, a social entrepreneur, the mission of this platform is to combat hunger and food waste.
3 years after its startup, Goodr raised $1.1 million in funding. In 2018, Goodr was valued at $7 million, and currently, the company is valued at $12 million.
5. Slideshare, Rashmi Sinha
Slideshare was founded in 2006 by Rashmi Sinha. This platform works by allowing people to upload and access their presentations online. More than 9 million presentations have been uploaded on the platform, and in 2012, Fortune ranked Rashmi Sinha as the 8th most powerful woman entrepreneur.
Also, in January 2015, The Economic Times listed her as one of 20 “most influential” global Indian women. In 2012, LinkedIn acquired the company for over $100 million.
6. Verge Genomics, Alice Zhang
Verge Genomics is a biopharmaceutical company that uses Artificial Intelligence to accelerate life-saving treatments for people living with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Alice Zhang co-founded this place in 2015and got about $54 million in funding.
Verge Genomics is also expected to grow to $2.1 billion by 2027 and is one of the drug companies on the Forbes AI 50 list for 2021.
Bottom Line:
From Melanie Perkins to Alice Zhang and Jasmine Crowe, the story of these outstanding women entrepreneurs wasn’t an overnight success. Like many other female founders, they succeeded through patience, hard work, and learning from mistakes.
Asides from creating notable companies that serve the world, these women also serve as inspiration to more women who want to pursue their own dreams like our CEO and founder, Priyanka Mehandiratta. Unmute has for vision a world where women, like men, can push any limit in their career. Success as a woman does not mean failure as a mother or as a wife. Get in touch with us should you want to be part of the journey. We believe in women and want to build a better future. One day, female-led companies will be the norm in the world.