Shradha Sharma

Shradha Sharma is an Indian journalist and entrepreneur. She is the founder and chief executive officer of YourStory Media, a Bengaluru-based digital media platform focused on startups and entrepreneurship, which she launched in 2008. She is a member of the Government of India's National Startup Advisory Council and served as a chair of Startup20, the startup engagement group constituted under India's G20 presidency in 2023. In 2025, she launched The Bharat Project, an initiative aimed at supporting entrepreneurs from non-metro India.

Early life and education Sharma was born and raised in Patna, Bihar. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in history from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and subsequently completed a programme at the Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA) in 2004.

Career

Early career in media Sharma began her career in media and brand management. She worked as a brand advisor at The Times of India from 2006 to 2007, and then as an assistant vice president at CNBC-TV18 from 2007 to 2009. The company said it would use the funds to launch a mobile-first portal publishing original stories in Indian regional languages including Hindi, Telugu, Bangla, Kannada, Tamil and Marathi. In October 2017, YourStory raised a further ₹40 crore (US$6 million) in a round led by the UC-RNT Fund, Kalaari Capital, 3one4 Capital and Qualcomm Ventures.

Under Sharma's leadership, YourStory grew into one of India's largest startup-focused media platforms, operating verticals including HerStory, SocialStory and YourStory Research, and organising ecosystem events including its flagship annual conference TechSparks.

Public policy roles Sharma contributed to the formulation of the Government of India's Startup India policy in 2015.

During India's presidency of the G20 in 2023, Sharma served in the leadership of Startup20, the G20's engagement group on startups, with a focus on inclusion.

Recognition Featured on Fortune India "40 Under 40" list of entrepreneurs in India for three consecutive years. Forbes India W-Power Trailblazers, 2018.

Personal life Sharma lives in Bengaluru, Karnataka.