India's Unicorn Boom: A Male-Dominated Leadership Landscape

Despite India's rapid ascent as the third-largest unicorn ecosystem globally, a recent report by Xpheno reveals a persistent gender gap in the C-suite roles of these high-value startups. With only 10% of CXO positions held by women, the disparity is most acute in technology and executive roles.

The Gender-Role Clustering Phenomenon

Women are predominantly found in HR roles (54% of CHROs), while men dominate in CEO, CTO, or CFO positions (45%). This clustering reflects broader industry trends but stands out in the supposedly progressive startup ecosystem.

Age and Experience: A Longer Path for Women

The report highlights that women CXOs, averaging 24 years of experience, reach leadership roles later than their male counterparts. Representation increases with age, from 7% in the 33-37 age group to 16% in the 48-52 bracket.

Educational Pedigree and Mobility

Elite educational credentials are a common thread among CXOs, with 90% holding postgraduate degrees from premier institutions. Women CXOs show longer tenures but are less likely to relocate for roles compared to men.

Venture Capital's Gender Gap

The underrepresentation extends to India's VC industry, where women are scarce in decision-making roles. Firms like Peak XV Partners lead in gender diversity, but many have no women in investment teams.