Richa Kar

Summary

Richa Kar is the founder of Zivame, India’s largest online lingerie retailer. Richa was born in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand but later moved with her family to the US. Richa holds a degree in engineering from BITS Pilani and an MBA from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai. Before launching Zivame, she worked in retail consultancy and technology, including a stint at SAP. She went on to work for The Limited, the former parent company of Victoria’s Secret, where she was exposed to best practices in the intimate wear industry.

Personal Information

Key Achievements & Major Timelines

• In 2011, Kar founded Zivame, India’s first major online lingerie platform.
• In 2015, Tata Sons chairman emeritus, Ratan Tata, funded Zivame. Additional funding of Rs. 250cr was raised from Zodius Technology Fund and Khazanah National Bread, the strategic investment fund of the government of Malaysia.
• In 2015, Zivame opened a fitting lounge in Bangalore’s Indiranagar to help women understand their sizes as well as guide online orders.
• In 2017, Richa Kar stepped down as the CEO of Zivame, but continued to serve on Zivame’s board.
• In 2019, Zivame raised ₹ 60cr in funding as part of a bridge round led by Zodius Technology Fund and a group of high net worth individuals.
• In 2020, Zivame valuation crossed ₹1,600 cr, cementing its leadership in the segment.
• In 2021, Reliance Retail acquired an 85% stake in Zivame for ₹ 1200cr.
• In 2025, Zivame expanded its retail presence by opening its first-ever franchise store in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Awards and Recognition

Richa Kar was featured in Fortune India 40 under 40 ranking in 2014, 2015 and 2016. She was awarded the NDTV Unicorn Start-Up Award in 2016.

Philanthropy and Personal Life

Richa Kar is known for her advocacy of women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship. By normalising lingerie shopping, she played a key role in breaking stereotypes and fostering body confidence among Indian women.