Fly High Women Awards 2025: SheSight and AIWB Honor Women Entrepreneurs
On March 9, 2025, as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations, SheSight Global and Austin Indian Women in Business (AIWB) came together at the Platinum Event Center in Round Rock, Texas, to recognize and support women entrepreneurs. The event hosted the “Best Women Business Pitch Competition” and served as the platform for the Fly High Women 2025 Awards, honoring women whose businesses reflect remarkable growth and a compelling entrepreneurial story. This marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to support women entrepreneurs by offering them visibility and opportunities to showcase their ventures.
A Collaboration Rooted in Purpose
At the heart of this event was the announcement of the collaboration between SheSight and AIWB – an initiative designed to give small and micro women-led businesses more visibility, connect with a broader audience, and a platform to share their entrepreneurial journey. Through this partnership, SheSight will feature AIWB entrepreneurs in the magazine, offering them opportunities to showcase their ventures through special features and coverage.
The initiative focuses on bringing forward the voices of women who are building something of their own, whether small or big, and ensuring that their work gets the recognition it deserves.
“At SheSight, we focus on bringing forward the voices of women we connect with—women whose journeys inspire us. It’s not about big names but about real unheard stories that deserve to be told,” said Neha Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer of SheSight Global, during her address.
Neha also reflected on the origins of the Fly High Women initiative, launched on March 8, 2024, with the first edition of the Fly High Women book, which highlighted inspiring stories of grassroots women achievers—those who are building something of their own in quiet but powerful ways.
Meet the Winners of the Fly High Women 2025 Awards
Winners were chosen based on the strength of their business pitch and the growth they have demonstrated. The selection highlighted diversity in entrepreneurial ideas and industries.
1st Prize – Pallavi Mathur , Founder, LaungElachi
For Pallavi Mathur, chai has always meant more than just a cup of tea—it’s a connection to home, warmth, and comfort. A dentist by profession, she followed her love for flavors and traditions to start LaungElachi, a brand that blends heritage with healthy indulgence. Her handcrafted chai masala and eggless bakes are made with authentic Indian spices and clean ingredients, offering a taste that’s both nostalgic and nourishing.
Building LaungElachi wasn’t easy—Pallavi faced doubts, funding challenges, and the pressure of standing out in a crowded market. But she stayed committed to what she believed in: real ingredients, honest cooking, and meaningful experiences. Winning the Best Business Pitch Award at the Fly High Women 2025 event was a proud moment that recognized not just her business idea, but the heart behind it.
Instagram: @laungelachi_chaimasala
2nd Prize – Rohini Kummitha , Founder, Million Raagas
Rohini Kummitha’s journey from engineering to fashion is one led by heart and heritage. Growing up in her mother’s saree boutique, her love for textiles stayed with her through the years—even as she built a career in software. That passion eventually found a home in Million Raagas, a brand that blends traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern, wearable fashion. Behind every piece is a story—of handloom, heritage, and hope. Rohini’s work brings Indian artistry to the forefront and supports artisans by creating opportunities for women from underprivileged backgrounds to learn and grow through skill-based training.
Through every challenge—from balancing motherhood and managing cross-border operations to building a brand from scratch—Rohini stayed true to her purpose.
Website: www.millionraagas.com
3rd Prize (Tie) – Harika Thupkar, Founder, Spice Jar Fusion Kitchen & Seema Rayudu, Founder, Founder, Theeya Jewels
- Harika Thupkar, Founder, Spice Jar Fusion Kitchen
Harika Thupkar turned a common dining dilemma—choosing between Indian and continental food—into a bold culinary vision. What started as a home experiment to blend the flavors she loved soon became Spice Jar Kitchen, a vibrant food truck offering Indian fusion delights like Pizza Dosa and Paneer Tikka Burritos. Driven by her love for cooking and a desire to share it with others, Harika faced and overcame the challenges of being a woman entrepreneur in the food industry. From building trust to managing a mobile business, she did it all with patience, creativity, and grit.
Today, Spice Jar isn’t just about great food—it’s about passion served on a plate. As Harika says, “Spice up your dreams, savor the journey”—and that’s exactly what she continues to do.
Instagram: @spicejarfusionkitchen
- Seema Rayudu, Founder, Founder, Theeya Jewels
Seema Chintamneedi always had a deep appreciation for silver jewelry—its elegance, craftsmanship, and the cultural heritage it carries. But when she searched for high-quality pieces that combined tradition with modern aesthetics, she realized they weren’t easy to find. This gap in the market sparked an idea, and soon, Theeya: Jewels by Seema LLC was born.
Starting Theeya was exciting, but it wasn’t easy. Figuring out how to reach the right people, promote her designs, and make sure her work stood out took a lot of trial and error. Now, a year later, Theeya has grown into a name that people trust. She believes that each piece should reflect the personality and confidence of the person wearing it.
Instagram: @theeya.jewels
