The multinational business magazine published and owned by Times Inc., Fortune, has released the 2017 list of the most powerful women in the world. This year, the list comprises of 26 CEOs from around the globe who control close to $ 1.1 trillion in market capitalization. The full list includes 51 successful women including nine women from the tech industry.
The Chief Executive Officer of General Motors, Mary Barra topped the list for the third consecutive year. She was instrumental in beating Elon Musk’s Tesla Model 3’s release in the market with the Chevrolet Bolt EV which even boasted of a better battery.
Indra Nooyi, who has led PepsiCo as the CEO and president for a decade, took the second spot on the list. She also played a significant role in the acquisition of Tropicana and the company’s merger with Quaker Oats. Nooyi was featured 18 times in the 20 years the Fortune list of most powerful women has been published.
Marillyn Hewson, the Chairwoman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lockheed Martin along with Abigail Johnson, the Chairman and CEO of Fidelity Investments and Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook take the 3rd, 4th and 5th spots on the list respectively.
Sandberg was instrumental in Facebook’s blockbuster 2016 ad revenue growth, which increased to 57% or over $ 26.9 billion and propelled the company to new heights. Her book titled Option B, which deals with grief over the loss of her husband, also topped the best seller list this year.
Seven newcomers made it to the list this year, including Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon. Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Geisha Williams, became the highest ranking newcomer on the list. She is also the first Latin woman to run a Fortune 500 company and is currently ranked at 19. Boeing’s Defense, Space and Security CEO, Leanne Caret, Staples CEO Shira Goodman, Reinsurance Group of America CEO Anna Manning, Hershey CEO Michele Buck, Ulta Beauty CEO Mary Dillon and Mattel CEO Margo Georgiadis are the other newest editions to the list.
The number of female chief executive officers in the Fortune 500 companies hit a record low in 2017. Only 6% of the total 500 or 37 women hold the top managerial positions in reputed organizations around the world. The number of women in the leading roles in tech companies also brings to light the uncomfortable realities of a big gender gap in one of the fastest growing industries in the world.
According to Fortune, four main criteria are looked at while making the list. It includes the size and importance of the woman’s business in the global economy, the health and direction of the business, the arc of the woman’s career and social and cultural influences.
Bharti Airtel has launched the innovative “Airtel-Perplexity Blueprint,” partnering with Perplexity to provide over 360 million customers free access to Perplexity Pro for a year—a benefit valued at ₹17,000 ($200). This collaboration enables Airtel users across mobile, broadband, and digital TV to harness advanced capabilities in generative AI, including leading AI models like GPT 4.1, Claude, and Gemini, along with up to 300 Pro searches daily, image generation, document analysis, and personalized planning services. The move is seen as a milestone for telecom innovation and the democratization of AI in India, making powerful research and productivity tools accessible to a massive user base.
This strategic partnership positions Airtel as an “AI-first” telecom provider, allowing it to gain key insights into user interactions with artificial intelligence and adapt its networks for growing digital demands. For Perplexity, the tie-up grants exclusive access to India’s vast telecom audience, rapidly propelling the app to the No. 1 spot on the Indian App Store, surpassing global competitors like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Airtel customers can activate their complimentary subscription seamlessly through the Airtel Thanks App, under the Rewards and OTTs section, reinforcing Airtel’s commitment to digital customer empowerment.
The broader Indian startup ecosystem reflects both breakthrough innovation and hard-earned lessons, illustrated by the recent shutdown of Ohm Mobility, an EV financing startup. Despite multiple pivots and industry-leading investors, Ohm Mobility struggled to achieve a sustainable business model—a reminder of the challenges in market fit and adaptability. As AI adoption accelerates and startup realities evolve, industry leaders like Airtel and Perplexity are setting new standards, while others, like Ohm Mobility, offer valuable insights on resilience and the importance of business model flexibility in India’s dynamic tech landscape.
Tesla has ramped up its India expansion by leasing a 24,565 sq ft warehouse at Lodha Logistics Park in Mumbai’s Kurla West. The five-year lease, registered on May 16, 2025, involves a total rent of over ₹24 crore, starting at ₹37.53 lakh per month with a 5% annual escalation. The facility includes two ground-floor units and 20 parking spots, with rent payments commencing June 1, 2025.
This warehouse will function as a key service center and garage for Tesla’s India operations, excluding bodywork and spray painting. The move supports Tesla’s preparations for its official market debut, expected in late 2025 or early 2026.
Tesla’s India rollout includes offices in Pune, flagship showrooms in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and Delhi-NCR, and co-working spaces in Mumbai. The new warehouse lease highlights Tesla’s commitment to building a robust infrastructure for sales, service, and delivery of electric vehicles and energy products across India.
While manufacturing plans are not yet confirmed, Tesla is reportedly exploring sites in Maharashtra for a potential assembly unit. The Mumbai warehouse lease marks a significant step in Tesla’s strategy to establish a strong presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing EV markets.
MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has partnered with fintech leader Razorpay to support the growth of deeptech and emerging tech startups across India, with a special focus on those in Tier II and III cities. Through this collaboration, early-stage startups will gain access to Razorpay’s fintech infrastructure, mentorship, and resources via the Razorpay Rize program.
Startups in areas like AI, blockchain, robotics, and IoT will benefit from streamlined company incorporation support, expert mentorship, product credits, and guidance for applying to global accelerators such as Y Combinator. Selected founders will also join the exclusive Rize Community, connecting with peer networks and attending masterclasses.
MSH CEO Panneerselvam Madanagopal emphasized that this partnership will help founders scale faster by providing vital support in mentorship, capital access, and digital infrastructure. As India’s startup ecosystem surpasses 159,000 DPIIT-recognised startups, this initiative aims to give deeptech entrepreneurs the tools and networks needed to innovate for India and expand globally.