In a world where Bollywood actresses are often hailed for their talent, beauty, and style, there is a remarkable group of leading ladies who are adding another feather to their cap – startup investments. They are not only ruling the silver screen but also stepping into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship.
These women are more than just glamorous faces; they are investors, mentors, and champions of innovation. Join us as we take a closer look at some of these inspiring Bollywood actresses who have dived into the world of startups.
1. Alia Bhatt (Investments: 4)
Alia Bhatt, a highly paid Bollywood actress and singer of Indian origin with British citizenship, has made a name for herself in the film industry. Beyond her acting career, she’s also a savvy investor who has diversified her portfolio by investing in a variety of startups:
- Stylcracker: StyleCracker, a styling platform established in 2013 by Dhimaan Shah and Archana Walavalkar, allows individuals to be styled by renowned designers. The majority stake of 65% in this platform is held by the founders, Dhimaan Shah and Archana Walavalkar, while the remaining 35% is owned by a group of investors, including Alia Bhatt, who has a stake in this platform connecting people with top designers.
- Nykaa.com: Nykaa is a Mumbai-based Indian e-commerce company that offers beauty, wellness, and fashion products through its online platform, mobile app, and a network of over 100 physical stores. In July 2020, Alia Bhatt invested Rs 4.95 crore in the parent company of Nykaa, FSN E-Commerce Ventures.
- PHOOL, Kanpur: Phool.co is a D2C wellness company backed by IIT Kanpur, specializing in the circular economy by transforming floral waste into eco-friendly products, including luxury incense. Founded by Ankit Agarwal in 2017, Alia Bhatt invested in the brand in 2022, although the specific investment amount remains undisclosed.
- SuperBottoms: Alia Bhatt has made an undisclosed investment in SuperBottoms, a sustainable brand specializing in baby and mom care products. This investment has also led to Alia becoming the brand’s ambassador and joining the company’s cap table. SuperBottoms, founded in 2016, offers eco-friendly alternatives like cloth diapers, langots, underwear, and reusable menstrual hygiene products.
2. Deepika Padukone (Investments: 6)
Deepika Padukone, a versatile actress, is not only making waves on the big screen but also in the startup world. Her investments show her dedication to supporting innovative ventures.
- Mokobara: Mokobara is an Indian direct-to-consumer luggage brand based in Bengaluru. Founded in 2019 by Sangeet Agarwal and Navin Parwal, the startup offers a variety of travel-related products, including wallets, travel bags, kits, and sling bags. Mokobara aims to simplify travel with its range of products.
- Supertails: Deepika Padukone has invested in a funding round worth USD 2.6 million for Supertails.com. This Bengaluru-based platform, co-founded by Varun Sadana, Aman Tekriwal, and Vineet Khanna in 2021, focuses on providing veterinary care and regular food supplies to pet owners in Bengaluru, which is Deepika Padukone’s hometown.
- FrontRow: FrontRow, a learning platform specializing in non-academic skills, was established by Ishaan Preet Singh. In 2020, it secured $3.2 million in seed funding from investors, including Deepika Padukone, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Elevation Capital. Unfortunately, the platform ceased its operations on June 30, 2023, and it’s reportedly planning to return around 20% of the capital raised to investors after failing to find a buyer.
- Nua, Mumbai: Nua is a service that provides women with regular doorstep deliveries of sanitary pads and healthcare products at a frequency of their choice. Customers have the flexibility to purchase products on their terms and participate in a vibrant online community. In June 2021, Nua secured $7.1 million in funding, with support from investors like Lightbox and Deepika Padukone. Ravi Ramachandran, the CEO and founder of Nua, leads this innovative venture.
- BluSmart Cabs: Deepika Padukone invested in the Indian e-mobility startup BluSmart Cabs, co-founding this eco-friendly ride-sharing company in Gurugram, India. This investment, along with others in the first funding round, amounted to over Rs 24.79 crore in September 2019. BluSmart Mobility was founded in 2019 by Anmol Singh Jaggi, Punit K Goyal, and Puneet Singh Jaggi, focusing on sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions.
- Bellatrix Aerospace: Bellatrix Aerospace, an Indian private aerospace manufacturer and small satellite manufacturing company headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka, secured $3 million in a pre-Series A round in June 2019. Deepika Padukone, among other venture capital investors, participated in this funding. Established in 2015, Bellatrix Aerospace is known for its pioneering work in space technology and received a National Award for its contributions in November 2020. Rohan M Ganapathy serves as the CEO & CTO of Bellatrix Aerospace.
3. Katrina Kaif (Investments: 2)
Katrina Kaif, one of the most celebrated actresses in Bollywood, has made investments in the health and beauty sector.
- HyugaLife: Founded by Sachin Parikh, Anvi Shah, and Neehar Modi, HyugaLife.com offers a diverse range of health and wellness products. Katrina invested an undisclosed amount in March 2023.
- Nykaa.com: Nykaa, an Indian e-commerce company based in Mumbai, specializes in selling beauty, wellness, and fashion products via its website, mobile app, and numerous physical stores. In November 2020, Katrina Kaif made an undisclosed investment in the beauty and e-commerce platform through a secondary transaction.
4. Shilpa Shetty Kundra (Investments: 3)
Shilpa Shetty Kundra is a multifaceted Indian personality known for her roles as an actress, film producer, dancer, author, businesswoman, and former model. She gained international fame by winning the British reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother 5. Shilpa has ventured into the fitness industry, releasing yoga DVDs, and has experience as the co-owner of the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team Rajasthan Royals.
- WickedGud: In May 2023, Shilpa Shetty invested INR 2.25 crore in Mumbai-based WickedGud, a ready-to-cook direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand. Bhuman Dani serves as the Founder and CEO of WickedGud.
- Chicnutrix & Fast&Up India: In July 2022, Shilpa Shetty made an undisclosed investment in D2C nutraceutical brands, Fast&Up and Chicnutrix, both operating under the parent company Fullife Healthcare. Chicnutrix focuses on delivering beauty and health from the inside out, incorporating scientific principles into enhancing one’s overall well-being. Shilpa Khanna serves as the Co-Founder and CEO of Chicnutrix.
- MamaEarth: Shilpa Shetty Kundra invested $250,000 in MamaEarth, an online startup specializing in baby care products. Founded in 2016 by the husband and wife duo Varun and Ghazal Alagh, MamaEarth offers natural and toxin-free products for both mother and baby care.
5. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Investments: 2)
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a renowned Indian actress and winner of the Miss World 1994 pageant. She has had a successful career in the Indian film industry, earning numerous accolades, including two Filmfare awards. In recognition of her contributions, she was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2009 and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Government of France in 2012.
- Ambee: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, in her first known angel investment in a startup, along with her mother Vrinda KR, invested Rs 1 crore in the Bengaluru-based environmental startup, Ambee. Ambee is recognized as the world’s most accurate climate and environmental intelligence platform.
- Possible: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan contributed Rs 5 crore to the nutrition-based healthcare company Possible as part of a larger funding round in January 2021. Founded by More and Vishnu Saraf, Possible specializes in offering diet-based weight loss programs to address lifestyle-related disorders like obesity and diabetes.
6. Anushka Sharma (Investments: 3)
Anushka Sharma is a highly acclaimed Indian actress in Hindi films, known for her awards and ranking among the highest-paid actresses in India. She has consistently featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 since 2012 and was recognized by Forbes Asia in their 30 Under 30 list in 2018. Apart from her acting career, she serves as a brand ambassador, designs her clothing line called Nush, and actively supports various charitable causes, including gender equality and animal rights. She is also known for her marriage to cricketer Virat Kohli.
- Blue Tribe Foods: In February 2022, Anushka Sharma and her husband, cricketer Virat Kohli, invested in the plant-based meat brand Blue Tribe. Founded by Sandeep Singh of Alkem Labs and Nikki Arora Singh, Blue Tribe offers alternatives to meat-based products for the Indian market
- Digit Insurance: In February 2020, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, along with their associates, invested Rs 5 crore in the new-age insurer Digit. The celebrity couple directly invested Rs 2.5 crore, and an equal amount was contributed through an investment vehicle. Digit Insurance is a prominent digital full-stack insurance company in India, founded by Kamesh Goyal, and currently led by CEO Jasleen Kohli. The company’s mission is to simplify the insurance process.
- Slurrp Farm: In April 2022, Anushka Sharma became an investor, brand ambassador, and advocate for Wholsum Foods, a company founded in 2016 by co-founders Meghana Narayan and Shauravi Malik. Wholsum Foods introduced Slurrp Farm, a brand that offers millet-based snacks and meals designed for young children. Anushka Sharma has joined the company to support its flagship brand, Slurrp Farm.
Also Read: Beyond Boundaries: Virat Kohli’s Investment and Business Innings
7. Sara Ali Khan (Investments: 1)
Sara Ali Khan is an Indian actress in Hindi films, known for her prominent Bollywood lineage as the daughter of actors Amrita Singh and Saif Ali Khan. Her success in the film industry has also earned her a spot in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list in 2019. She has made a significant investment in:
- The Souled Store: In March 2022, Sara Ali Khan made an undisclosed investment in The Souled Store, a casual wear apparel brand. Founded by Vedang Patel, Harsh Lal, Aditya Sharma, and Rohin Samtaney, The Souled Store is known for its merchandising partnerships with renowned entities such as Disney, Warner Bros., WWE, IPL, Viacom18, and others.
8. Shraddha Kapoor (Investments: 3)
Shraddha Kapoor is a highly popular Indian actress and singer in Hindi-language films, known for her significant following on Instagram and consistent appearances in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2014. She was also featured in Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 list in 2016. Kapoor is multifaceted, not only acting in films but also lending her voice to several film songs. She has endorsed various brands and products and launched her clothing line in 2015.
- Chargeup: In February 2022, Chargeup secured a pre-Series A funding round of $2.5 million, with Capital-A leading the round and Anicut Capital as co-lead. Notable investors, including Shraddha Kapoor, participated, and Grip Invest extended a lease line of $1.5 million. Chargeup, founded by Varun Goenka and Akshay Kashyap in 2019, is focused on creating India’s largest battery swapping network.
- MyGlamm: MyGlamm, established in 2017 by Darpan Sanghvi and co-founded by Priyanka Gill, is a beauty and personal care brand offering a diverse collection of over 600 cruelty-free products, including makeup and skincare items. In January 2021, Shraddha Kapoor made an investment in MyGlamm and became an endorser of its products.
- Naturedge Beverages: In February 2021, Shraddha Kapoor invested in ‘Shunya,’ an herb-infused beverage brand, though the exact amount remains undisclosed. She also took on the role of the brand’s ambassador. ‘Shunya’ is a product of Naturedge Beverages, founded in 2018 by Siddhesh Sharma, who is a third-generation heir to the Baidyanath Group.
9. Samantha Ruth Prabhu (Investments: 2)
Samantha Ruth Prabhu is an accomplished Indian actress primarily active in the Telugu and Tamil film industries. She has received numerous accolades, including four Filmfare Awards South, six South Indian International Movie Awards, and two Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Awards. Samantha is recognized as one of the leading actresses in Telugu and Tamil cinema.
- Nourish You: Samantha Ruth Prabhu invested in the homegrown superfood startup, Nourish You, in March 2023. Additionally, she introduced Nourish You’s plant-based, vegan, and lactose-free milk alternative called “Millet Mlk.” Nourish You, founded by Sowmya Reddy, Krishna Reddy, and Rakesh Kilaru in 2015, specializes in producing and selling organic quinoa and chia seeds.
- SustainKart: Samantha invested an undisclosed amount in the Hyderabad-based startup SustainKart, which is an exclusive e-commerce marketplace for sustainable products. SustainKart, founded by Kanthi Dutt and Shilpa Reddy in 2021, offers a wide range of sustainable and eco-friendly products, including fashion, decor, beauty and wellness items.
10. Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, an international actress, and former Miss World, has been a trailblazer in her investments. She has endorsed several brands and made smart investment choices:
- Bumble: In 2018, Priyanka backed the popular online dating app, Bumble.
- Other investments include Holberton School – a coding education company, Apartment List – a US-based rental marketplace, Genies – an American avatar technology company, Rob’s Backstage Popcorn – a snack brand, and Perfect Moment – a luxury sportswear brand, showcasing her interest in diverse sectors.
Also Read: Empowering Innovators: Government Schemes Fueling Startup India Revolution
These Bollywood actresses are not just icons on the silver screen; they are also inspiring role models who are actively shaping the future of the startup ecosystem in India. As they continue to support and mentor emerging businesses, they prove that success in Bollywood is just one aspect of their dynamic careers.
These actresses are undoubtedly forces to be reckoned with in both the entertainment industry and the world of entrepreneurship.
