A girl from Bihar, dreaming big in a world that didn’t always make it easy. That’s Shradha Sharma, the woman behind YourStory, India’s go-to platform for startup tales. She’s not just a founder; she’s a storyteller who’s made thousands of entrepreneurs feel seen and heard. From Patna to global stages, Shradha’s journey is all about chasing dreams and never giving up. If you’re an Indian dreamer with big ideas, this one’s for you—let’s dive into her story!
The Story of Shradha Sharma
Her Roots
Shradha grew up in Patna, where life was simple but full of lessons. Her dad worked in the merchant navy, sailing far away, while her mom ran the show at home. They taught her to be curious and tough. School wasn’t just about books for Shradha—she loved stories and history. She studied at St. Stephen’s College in Delhi, diving into History for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees (1998–2003). Then, she went to MICA in Ahmedabad (2004) to learn how to mix creativity with business.
Before YourStory, Shradha worked at big names like The Times of India (2006–2007) and CNBC TV18 (2007–2009). She was climbing the ladder, but something felt off. She saw that the media loved big CEOs but ignored the small startups—the dreamers like you and me. That’s when a spark lit up in her head.
Starting YourStory
In 2008, Shradha was juggling her job at CNBC when she started YourStory as a blog. Why? Because she believed every entrepreneur had a story worth telling. India’s startup scene was just waking up, and nobody was talking about the small guys—the ones building apps or shops from scratch. Shradha wanted to change that.
With just ₹2 lakh from her savings, she started writing about startups at night, after work. It was tough—no team, no big budget, just her laptop and a dream. In 2009, she took a leap of faith and quit her job to focus on YourStory full-time. Imagine telling your family you’re leaving a cushy job for a blog! But Shradha knew this was her calling.
The Tough Times
Starting YourStory wasn’t a Bollywood success story from day one. Shradha faced rejections left and right. Some entrepreneurs didn’t take her seriously—her blog was too small, they said. Once, she was even asked to leave an interview she’d scheduled! Money was tight, too, and she ran YourStory on her own for years. Plus, being a woman in a male-dominated world? She heard plenty of “you can’t do this” comments.
But Shradha’s a fighter. A childhood memory kept her going: in third grade, she felt humiliated when her dance partner stole the show at a school event. That moment stuck with her. She saw herself in every struggling entrepreneur—the underdog who just needed a chance. So, she kept pushing. By 2015, big names like Ratan Tata and Vani Kola invested in YourStory, giving her ₹80 crore to grow. Talk about a comeback!
YourStory’s Big Wins
Today, YourStory is a household name for Indian startups. It’s published over 200,000 stories and reaches 20 million readers every month. From Hindi to Tamil, it tells stories in 12 Indian languages, so everyone can join the conversation. Whether it’s HerStory for women entrepreneurs or SocialStory for changemakers, Shradha’s made sure every voice counts.
YourStory isn’t just a website—it’s a bridge. It connects startups with investors, mentors, and even the government. In 2023, Shradha helped lead India’s S20 initiative during the G20, putting Indian startups on the world map. She even took YourStory global with YourStory Germany in 2022. With over 100 employees and a valuation of ₹280 crore, YourStory’s proof that one person’s dream can spark a revolution.
Wrap-Up: Be Your Own Story
Shradha Sharma’s story is like a desi dream come true. From a small town in Bihar to building YourStory, she’s shown us that anyone can make a difference with grit and heart. At Profit Journal, we’re all about celebrating dreamers like you and Shradha. So, what’s your story? Let Shradha’s journey inspire you to take that first step, no matter how small.