Home / Business and Economy / Saina Nehwal: From Scooter Dreams to VC Decisions
Saina Nehwal: From Scooter Dreams to VC Decisions
1 Nov
Summary
- Saina Nehwal's father used his retirement fund for her training.
- She made her first investment in sanitary pads company Paree.
- Nehwal invested in AI and smart city tech firm Brihaspathi Technologies.
Saina Nehwal's early life involved early morning commutes and her father's financial sacrifices, including multiple withdrawals from his Provident Fund to support her badminton career. These early experiences profoundly influenced her later approach to financial decisions.
In 2014, Nehwal made her first significant investment in Paree sanitary pads, later becoming a co-owner. She then invested in Naarica, a femtech startup specializing in reusable period underwear, in March 2025.
In a surprising move, Nehwal joined a $10 million Series A round for Hyderabad's Brihaspathi Technologies Limited in June 2025. This investment in AI-based video analytics and smart city systems diversified her portfolio beyond consumer health products.
Her investment philosophy centers on understanding market needs and supporting companies with demonstrated success. This approach is rooted in her own journey and her father's early financial support. Beyond investments, she champions charitable causes, supporting schoolgirls with sanitary products and providing aid to junior badminton players.
