How Sairee Chahal is Revolutionising India’s Women Entrepreneurship

In the latest episode of the Simple Hai! show, Sairee Chahal, founder of Mahila Money, shared her journey and vision to empower women across India. Speaking with veteran finance journalist Vivek Law, she explained how digital platforms can create opportunities for women entrepreneurs, especially those from smaller towns and traditional backgrounds.

From Liberal Arts Graduate to Entrepreneurial Leader

Sairee Chahal, founder of Mahila Money and SHEROES, spoke to veteran finance journalist Vivek Law on the Simple Hai! show about her journey and the power of technology, community, and financial access in empowering women entrepreneurs across India.

Chahal’s entry into the startup world was unplanned but fueled by her determination. Despite an MBA and an MPhil, entrepreneurship “found her.” Coming from a non-business family in Uttar Pradesh, she had to convince her family about her unconventional career choice. Her first startup, Newslink, a newspaper for mariners in New Zealand, became her “real school,” teaching her product building, logistics, and remote-first management.

Balancing studies with work and long hours, Chahal’s early journey laid the foundation for her future as a leader in women’s empowerment and digital entrepreneurship.

SHEROES: A Safe Online Community for Women

Recognising the traditional barriers Indian women face in professional spaces, Chahal created SHEROES in 2012, when barely a million women were online in India. Inspired by offline women-only groups, SHEROES became a digital safe space where women could connect, learn, and access remote work opportunities.

Chahal explained, “It’s like Reddit but for women, with hooks for personal and career growth.” Today, SHEROES offers free counselling to over three million women, remote work opportunities, and programs with major companies like Airbnb, Unilever, and Google.

The platform has grown from 1 million users in 2012 to over 24 million lifetime users, showing how digital platforms can transform women’s professional lives.

Also Read: Manish Shara on India’s Credit Challenges and How His Startup ZET is Helping Millions Avoid Debt Traps

Mahila Money: Bridging the Finance Gap

Building on SHEROES’ success, Chahal launched Mahila Money in 2023 to address financial barriers for women entrepreneurs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many women faced financial stress. Chahal began by putting 5 lakh from her personal account to fund interest-free loans for women.

Mahila Money focuses on small neighbourhood businesses, such as beauty parlours, preschools, tailoring shops, cloud kitchens, and home bakeries—segments that banks have traditionally underserved. These women are digitally savvy but lack access to formal finance. Chahal calls this approach “microfinance 2.0”, combining trust, digital tools, and entrepreneurship-focused support.

Lessons in Persistence, Consistency, and Action

Chahal shared her analogy of the “power of compounding,” emphasising the importance of consistency in work. She advises women to:

• Be action-biased: Start today, don’t wait.
• Experiment freely: Utilise free tools and AI resources to enhance your learning.
• Learn by doing: Confidence grows through experience, pivoting, and asking for help.
• Become a lifelong learner: Stay humble and adapt to change.
• Understand money: Learn how money works for independence, not just survival.

Chahal believes the traditional path of stable jobs and degrees is outdated. The internet provides an equal opportunity for women, regardless of their location, background, or gender.

Continuing the Revolution

Law highlighted the ongoing impact of Chahal’s work, calling it a revolution in women’s entrepreneurship. Chahal agreed, describing it as her “life’s work” that evolves with market and community needs.

Through SHEROES and Mahila Money, millions of women now have skills, community, and financial resources to thrive. Chahal believes the internet is the new electricity, and women must not be left behind.

With leaders like Sairee Chahal, India’s women entrepreneurs are set to achieve new heights, combining technology, community, and capital to transform the economy.