Dhanvesttor: Redefining Wealth Management With Women At The Centre Of India’s Investment Story, Says Anooshka S. Bathwal

In a country where nearly 80% of household investment decisions are made by men, Dhanvesttor is redefining wealth management by putting women at the center of India’s investment story. As the nation’s first PMS designed exclusively for women, it aims not just to provide tailored investment solutions but to foster financial literacy, independence, and confidence. Founder Anooshka S. Bathwal envisions a space where women can actively manage their wealth, transforming how household savings are allocated and invested. With women contributing over 17% to India’s GDP but accounting for less than 15% of formal investments, the untapped potential is enormous.

1. Dhanvesttor is India’s first PMS designed exclusively for women — how do you see this shaping broader economic participation by women in financial markets?

In a male-dominated financial sector where nearly 80% of household investment decisions are still taken by men, Dhanvesttor stands out as India’s first PMS designed exclusively for women. Our goal is not just to provide investment solutions, but to shift mindsets and champion women’s financial independence. While women contribute over 17% to India’s GDP, their participation in formal investing remains under 15%, highlighting a vast untapped potential.

Dhanvesttor aims to create a movement, a safe, supportive space where women can learn, ask questions, and take ownership of their wealth. By focusing on financial education and literacy, we empower women to understand risk, seize high-yield opportunities, and make informed decisions. If even a fraction of the ₹56 lakh crore household savings pool were actively invested by women, it could significantly deepen capital markets, diversify portfolios, and amplify women’s economic impact across the country.

2. With SEBI tightening norms around PMS and AIFs, how do you balance compliance with innovation in wealth creation strategies?

Regulation and innovation go hand in hand rather than being at odds. SEBI’s recent PMS and AIF reforms — including minimum investment thresholds of ₹50 lakh, mandatory performance disclosures, and stricter client segregation norms — are crucial for building investor trust and ensuring transparency.

Within these boundaries, innovation continues to thrive. At Dhanvesttor, we focus on creating goal-based portfolios, integrating ESG strategies that already represent over $40 trillion globally, and leveraging tech-enabled advisory tools to offer personalised recommendations. By aligning product design with SEBI guidelines, we ensure compliance while delivering dynamic, long-term wealth creation solutions. Our ultimate aim is to foster trust and develop enduring relationships with women investors, enabling them to confidently grow and manage their wealth in a structured and sustainable way.

3. Where do you see the biggest macroeconomic triggers for women-led investments in the next 3–5 years?

Several macroeconomic triggers are set to drive women-led investments over the next 3-5 years. Rising female workforce participation, projected to exceed 30% by 2030, will increase financial independence and decision-making power. At the same time, digital adoption is accelerating, with over 120 million women now active internet users, providing a significant funnel for fintech and investment platforms. Financial inclusion initiatives, such as Jan Dhan, have already brought more than 290 million women into the formal banking system, laying the groundwork for broader participation in wealth creation.

As awareness, access, and education converge, customised investment solutions, changing tax policies, and government incentives for financial inclusion will act as accelerators. Taken together, these factors are expected to boost women’s share in formal financial products from the current ~15% to 25–30% within the next five years, unlocking a substantial capital pool and reshaping the financial landscape.

4. How can women-focused PMS offerings alter the savings-to-investment ratio in India’s economy?

Women have traditionally been strong savers but have participated less in formal investments. India’s household financial savings rate stands at 18.4% of GDP, yet a significant portion of this — often dominated by women’s decisions — remains in low-yield assets such as gold and fixed deposits. By providing tailored PMS solutions, even redirecting 5–10% of these dormant savings into structured investment vehicles can improve capital allocation efficiency.

This shift not only generates long-term wealth for individual households but also deepens and broadens capital markets, enhancing market liquidity and supporting faster economic growth. Over time, such a change can meaningfully boost India’s investment-to-GDP ratio, currently around 30%, while empowering women to take a more active role in wealth creation and financial decision-making.

5. Do you believe gender-specific investment vehicles can have a measurable impact on India’s GDP growth story?

Absolutely. If women’s financial participation reaches parity with men’s, it could add approximately $700 billion (around ₹58 lakh crore) to India’s GDP by 2025. Gender-specific investment vehicles play a key role by channeling women’s savings into entrepreneurial ventures, capital markets, and consumption cycles, creating a strong multiplier effect on employment, income, and economic activity. Over time, this fosters a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem, strengthens capital formation, and broadens the base of sustainable GDP growth, demonstrating that women’s collective financial empowerment can have a measurable and lasting impact on India’s economy.