Shradha Sharma
Shradha Sharma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 6 July 1980 Patna, Bihar, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | St. Stephen's College, Delhi Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Journalist |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of YourStory |
| Website | yourstory |
Shradha Sharma is an Indian entrepreneur and former journalist, best known as the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of YourStory, a media platform dedicated to covering startups and entrepreneurship in India.[1] Since founding YourStory in 2008, she has grown it into one of India's leading platforms for entrepreneurial stories, covering over 200,000 startup narratives.[2]
Early life and education
Shradha Sharma was born in Patna, Bihar, India.[1] She graduated from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, where she studied history, and later earned a postgraduate degree from the Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA).[1] Her academic background in communications laid the foundation for her career in journalism and media.
Career
Journalism
Before founding YourStory, Sharma worked as a journalist with prominent Indian media organizations. She served as a field reporter for The Times of India and later as an assistant vice president at CNBC TV18, gaining experience in business reporting and media production.[1][3] Her exposure to the business world during this period inspired her to focus on entrepreneurship.
YourStory
In August 2008, Sharma founded YourStory, a digital media platform aimed at showcasing the stories of Indian entrepreneurs and startups.[1] Initially a solo venture, YourStory grew to become a significant voice in India's startup ecosystem, amplifying the journeys of founders across Tier II and III cities and rural areas.[4] The platform has covered over 75,000 startup stories and hosts events like TechSparks, which foster connections within the entrepreneurial community.[5][6]
In 2025, YourStory partnered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to empower one million entrepreneurs in Tier II and III cities and rural India through AI tools and regional initiatives.[4][7] Sharma has emphasized storytelling as a tool for inspiring innovation and resilience, as highlighted in her fireside chats at events like SheSparks 2025 and TiE Chandigarh 2025.[8][5]
Sharma's leadership has been recognized by industry leaders, including Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who praised YourStory’s role in promoting positive storytelling.[6] Her entrepreneurial journey has also been lauded by figures like Manu Kumar Jain, former managing director of Xiaomi India.[9]
Other ventures
Sharma is also the founder of The Bharat Project, an initiative aligned with YourStory’s mission to support grassroots entrepreneurship.[4] She launched YourStory Connect in 2020, a product designed to facilitate ecosystem connections at scale.[10] Her work extends internationally, with YourStory maintaining an office in Berlin, which Sharma has described as a vibrant and inclusive hub for innovation.[11]
Personal life
Sharma is known for her extensive travel, spending half her time on the road and taking 12–16 flights monthly.[11] She maintains her health by walking 10–15 kilometers daily while traveling, particularly enjoys exploring cities like Berlin.[11] Sharma has spoken candidly about personal challenges, including the loss of her mother, which profoundly influenced her drive to build YourStory.[3]
Recognition
- Featured in The Economic Times’ list of Indian startups with women founders (2016).[1]
- Recognized by Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for YourStory’s role in inspirational storytelling (2020).[6]
- Praised by industry leaders like Manu Kumar Jain for her entrepreneurial impact.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "10 Indian startups with women founders". The Economic Times. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ "Post by @SharmaShradha". X. @SharmaShradha. 19 April 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Listen to the green shoots". The Hindu BusinessLine. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "DPIIT and YourStory Sign MoU to Empower 1Million Entrepreneurs Across Tier II, III and Rural India". YourStory. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Uncovering YourStory: The Entrepreneurial DNA of Bharat with Shradha Sharma". TiE Chandigarh. 7 April 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Post by @YourStoryCo". X. @YourStoryCo. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ "DPIIT Partners With YourStory". Tathya. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ "Dr Ekroop Caur on overcoming bias in governance and leading with resilience". YourStory. 22 March 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Post by @manukumarjain". X. @manukumarjain. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ "Post by @SharmaShradha". X. @SharmaShradha. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Start-Up Success Article". BBC. Retrieved 25 June 2025.