Payal Kamat

Empowering Indian women through tech-driven lingerie revolution

Payal Kamat is the founder of Zivame, India's leading online lingerie brand that has transformed women's body positivity through inclusive sizing and cultural change. Born in Mumbai in 1981, she observed the lack of women-friendly apparel options while working in tech sales. Launching in 2012 with just ₹500, her startup now serves 2 million customers and employs 500+ women in rural production centers.

Kamat's approach combines e-commerce innovation with social impact: Zivame's 'Size Inclusive' campaign challenged traditional size norms, offering sizes 6-36. The company provides free virtual styling consultations and has trained 10,000 rural women in garment production through its She Creates initiative. Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, she pioneered India's first lingerie price comparison tool and introduced menstrual hygiene product lines. Kamat's TEDx talk 'Redressing India's Fashion Gap' advocates for body-positive retail. Her work was recognized by the UN Women's Empowerment Principles and she mentors female entrepreneurs through StartupWomen network.