What began as a bold idea against social taboos has now become one of India’s most inspiring success stories. Richa Kar, the founder of Zivame, launched her online lingerie startup with just ₹1,300 and a dream. Today, that very brand is worth over ₹764 crore and is now a part of Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Retail empire.
But Richa’s path to success wasn’t paved with acceptance. Raised in a conservative household in Jamshedpur, Richa battled emotional resistance from her mother, who was uncomfortable with her daughter’s decision to sell lingerie. Despite family disapproval and societal judgement, Richa persisted.
After graduating from BITS Pilani and earning her MBA from NMIMS Mumbai, she worked at SAP, where exposure to global brands like Victoria’s Secret sparked the vision for Zivame. In 2011, she launched the platform with ₹35 lakh raised from friends and family. With over 5,000 lingerie styles, 50 brands, and 100 sizes, Zivame broke barriers in how Indian women shop for innerwear.
Richa’s journey was not just entrepreneurial—it was deeply personal. She made it her mission to empower Indian women with knowledge, privacy, and freedom of choice. She further expanded into activewear, sleepwear, and launched Zivame Studios to reach Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets.
Her persistence paid off. In 2020, Zivame was acquired by Reliance Retail, while Richa remained on the board. Today, her estimated net worth is ₹749 crore. She has also been featured in Fortune India’s 40 Under 40 and named one of the Top Women Entrepreneurs by Economic Times.
Richa Kar didn’t just build a business—she ignited a revolution in how Indian women view lingerie