Just 7% of all women tech leaders in executive roles across India's 121 unicorns

In boardrooms and leadership meetings across India’s unicorn ecosystem, a pattern continues to emerge. Startups may have reshaped industries and created new opportunities, but the representation of women at the top remains weak.

According to an analysis by staffing consultany Longhouse, women make up a meagre 7% of executive roles across 121 unicorn startups in India. This includes founders, cofounders, chief technology officers, chief information officers, etc, who shape highlevel tech strategy and decision-making. The study has considered 72 women tech leaders, excluding non-tech founders.

“The issue of low female representation starts with the talent pipeline, which is limited due to low female enrolment in engineering education. Startups get a small pool to begin with,” Rohit Srivastava, senior partner at Longhouse, said.

Most of the female talent, about 79%, seems concentrated in midsenior level positions like heads and directors, contributing to execution and team management.