Ananya Birla

Chairperson of Svatantra Microfin
Age: 32  • India

Ananya Birla, the eldest daughter of billionaire Kumar Birla, has built several businesses, with Svatantra Microfin emerging as her biggest success. Founded in 2012 while she was studying at Oxford, the microfinance company has grown into India’s second-largest, with Rs 210.9 billion ($2.25 billion) in assets under management, 4.3 million borrowers and nearly 2,300 branches. Most of its customers are women in rural areas.

Birla now plans to take Svatantra Microfin public through an estimated Rs 30 billion IPO, with the funds expected to support further expansion. The company’s private equity investors include Advent International and Multiples Alternate Asset Management.

Beyond microfinance, Birla has also ventured into beauty and entertainment through Birla Cosmetics and Birla Studios. She previously pursued a career as a pop singer before shifting her focus to business.

In February, she launched Birla AI Labs under the Aditya Birla Group to research and implement AI across the group’s businesses. She also serves on the boards of major group companies including Hindalco, Grasim and Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail.