Biography of Priyanka Gill: Co-founder of Kalaari Capital & Good Glamm Group-Entrepreneur
Biography of Priyanka Gill:
Priyanka Gill is a dynamic entrepreneur and investor with a
significant impact across various sectors. She is a Co-founder of Kalaari
Capital and the Good Glamm Group, where she plays a crucial role in shaping
strategic investments and business growth. Additionally, Priyanka founded and
leads POPxo and Plixxo, two influential platforms in the digital and influencer
marketing space.
Her contributions have earned her notable recognition,
including the Business World 40 Under 40 Award and the 100 Technology Leaders
accolade by IMPACT. Priyanka was also honored with the Business Women Award at
the CNBC Young Turks Conclave, reflecting her leadership and success in
business and investment. Furthermore, she is a Seed Investor for Kalamint,
showcasing her commitment to supporting innovative ventures.
Early Life and Education
Priyanka Gill was born on June 2, 1980, in a small village
in Punjab, India. Her early education took place at Convent of Jesus and Mary,
Waverley, Mussoorie, and Vidya Devi Jindal School, Hisar. She pursued her
higher education at Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, where she studied English
Literature. Gill’s academic journey continued with a global MBA from Columbia
Business School and London Business School, further cementing her foundation in
business and leadership.
Educational Background and Early Foundations
Priyanka Gill’s educational journey began at Convent of
Jesus and Mary, Waverley, where she completed her schooling from 1986 to 1993.
She then attended Vidya Devi Jindal School before pursuing her undergraduate
studies in English at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, graduating in 2001.
Priyanka continued her education at King’s College London, where she studied
Modern India from 2012 to 2015, honing her leadership and team-building skills.
Advanced Business Studies
Priyanka’s pursuit of advanced education led her to a joint
MBA program with Columbia Business School and London Business School,
completing her studies in 2023. This rigorous program equipped her with
extensive knowledge in business administration and management, enhancing her
skills in leadership, coaching, and social media.
Career Beginnings and Blog Launch
Gill’s professional journey began with a freelance writing
career in London after her marriage in 2001. Her early 20s were marked by a
whirlwind of activities, including hosting charity and art events, contributing
to publications, and investing in early-stage companies and modern Indian art.
Her passion for writing eventually led her to create eStylista, a fashion blog
that evolved into POPxo, a platform that would become a significant player in
the digital content space.
POPxo’s Growth and Funding
POPxo’s growth was marked by successful funding rounds,
beginning with a ₹3 crore pre-Series A funding in 2014, followed by an
additional $2 million in Series A funding. Subsequent rounds in 2017 saw POPxo
raise $3.1 million and $5.5 million from investors including Neoplux and OPPO.
These investments supported POPxo’s expansion and its recognition as one of the
most ambitious startups in Southeast Asia and Australasia.
Origins and Founding
Popxo, a pioneering digital content platform tailored for
women, was founded by Priyanka Gill and Namrata Bostrom. The journey began in
March 2013, at a time when there was a noticeable gap in the market for
comprehensive, English-language content catering specifically to women.
Priyanka Gill initially launched eStylista in London in September 2012,
targeting Non-Resident Indian (NRI) women. This platform laid the groundwork
for what would eventually become Popxo. Recognizing the need for a robust
platform, Gill and Bostrom decided to expand their vision, leading to the
official inception of Popxo.
Merging with MyGlamm and Expanding Horizons
The merger of POPxo with MyGlamm in August 2020 marked a
pivotal moment in Gill’s career, blending POPxo’s digital community expertise
with MyGlamm’s beauty products. As Co-founder and President of MyGlamm, Gill
continued to lead POPxo-Plixxo, focusing on content creation, digital
marketing, and brand development. This dual role allowed her to drive innovation
and growth in both companies.
The Good Creator Co. and Ecosystem Development
The formation of The Good Creator Co. represented a
significant advancement in Gill’s vision of creating a unified creator
ecosystem. By merging Plixxo with other leading platforms, this initiative aims
to empower creators and streamline brand collaborations. The substantial seed
investment from the Good Glamm Group underscores Gill’s commitment to fostering
a thriving ecosystem for content creators.
Leading Good Media Co. and Digital Innovation
As CEO of Good Media Co., Gill oversees a portfolio of
leading digital media brands, including POPxo, ScoopWhoop, and MissMalini. The
company’s vast reach and impressive metrics reflect Gill’s leadership in
driving digital media innovation and audience engagement. Her role involves
steering the strategic direction of these brands and ensuring their continued
success in a competitive landscape.
Biography of Priyanka Gill:Co-founder of Kalaari Capital & Good Glamm Group/Entrepreneur/Startup/POPxo/Plixxo/Success story of Priyanka Gill/Life stor
Founding POPxo and Plixxo
Priyanka Gill, a prominent entrepreneur and angel investor,
is the Co-founder of the Good Glamm Group and the Founder & CEO of POPxo
and Plixxo. Her career began with the creation of POPxo, a digital platform
designed to foster a vibrant community for millennial women. Launched in 2014,
POPxo quickly grew into a leading online destination, offering a range of
content and engagement opportunities for its users. Building on this success,
Gill founded Plixxo in 2017 to capitalize on the emerging field of influencer
marketing in India. Plixxo's tech-enabled platform was designed to connect
brands with influencers, facilitating impactful marketing campaigns and supporting
the rise of India’s first generation of social media influencers.
Merging with MyGlamm
In 2020, Priyanka Gill's career reached a significant
milestone with the merger of POPxo and Plixxo with MyGlamm, a leading beauty
and personal care conglomerate. This strategic move allowed Gill to join
MyGlamm as Co-founder and President while continuing her role as Founder &
CEO of POPxo-Plixxo. The merger not only expanded POPxo’s reach but also
integrated its influencer marketing capabilities with MyGlamm’s extensive
beauty product line, creating a powerful synergy in the beauty and personal
care industry.
Founding the Good Glamm Group
In September 2021, Gill co-founded the Good Glamm Group, an
ambitious venture aimed at becoming the ‘Digital CPG Conglomerate of the
Future.’ The group brings together innovative and fast-growing beauty and
personal care brands under one umbrella. With a vision to redefine the digital
consumer goods landscape, the Good Glamm Group has invested USD 100 million to
acquire and build brands that resonate with millions of users. This initiative
reflects Gill’s commitment to blending content, commerce, and community to
drive growth and innovation in the beauty sector.
Launching The Good Creator Co.
In her ongoing efforts to empower creators, Gill played a
pivotal role in the formation of The Good Creator Co., a venture designed to be
India’s largest creator ecosystem. By integrating Plixxo with other leading
creator platforms such as MissMalini, Winkl, and Vidooly, The Good Creator Co.
aims to offer creators enhanced opportunities for financial independence and
provide brands with scalable solutions to collaborate with creators. With a
seed investment of Rs 200 crore from the Good Glamm Group, this initiative
represents a significant step towards uniting content creators with commerce in
a structured and impactful way.
Establishing the Good Media Co.
Gill’s leadership extends to the establishment of the Good
Media Co., which is one of India's largest digital media companies. This
division encompasses prominent brands such as POPxo, ScoopWhoop, MissMalini,
Tweak, and BabyChakra, collectively reaching 200 million monthly active users
and generating 4 billion impressions each month. As CEO of Good Media Co., Gill
oversees a diverse portfolio of media assets, driving content creation,
audience engagement, and strategic growth across multiple platforms.
Launching the Podcast "Dream Build Scale"
In February 2023, Priyanka Gill launched "Dream Build
Scale," a podcast exclusive to Spotify. The show features candid
conversations with successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders, offering
listeners an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of building influential
brands and businesses. Through this podcast, Gill shares actionable insights
and inspiring stories from various guests, including notable figures like Divya
Gokulnath of Byju’s and Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor, providing valuable lessons
for aspiring entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts.
Completing Her EMBA
Gill’s academic achievements culminated in February 2023
when she graduated with Dean’s honors from the prestigious Global MBA program
at Columbia Business School and London Business School. For an individual who
began her journey in a small village in Punjab, earning an MBA from two of the
world’s leading business schools represents a remarkable accomplishment. This
educational experience has been one of the most significant milestones in
Gill’s career, enhancing her business acumen and reinforcing her commitment to
entrepreneurial excellence.
Expansion and Merger
A significant milestone in Popxo’s journey was its merger
with MyGlamm in August 2020. This merger marked the formation of The Good Glamm
Group, a major beauty conglomerate in India. The integration of Popxo, along
with Plixxo and BabyChakra, created a powerful entity under The Good Glamm
Group umbrella. Gill’s role evolved to become the co-founder of The Good Glamm
Group, where she continues to drive the vision of blending content with
commerce.
Impact and Legacy
Popxo’s success story reflects the dynamic evolution of
digital content and influencer marketing in India. The platform’s ability to
adapt to changing trends, from written content to multimedia and
influencer-driven campaigns, underscores its impact on the digital media
landscape. The collaboration between Priyanka Gill and Namrata Bostrom played a
crucial role in establishing Popxo as a leading digital content platform for
women.
Founding Board Member of CXXO
Priyanka Gill is also a founding board member of CXXO, an
initiative by Kalaari Capital focused on supporting female founder-CEOs. CXXO
aims to build a network of capital, coaching, and community resources to help
women entrepreneurs succeed. Alongside other prominent leaders such as Vani
Kola and Shradha Sharma, Gill is dedicated to leveling the playing field for
female entrepreneurs and fostering a supportive environment for women-led
businesses.
Innovative Leadership at Kalaari Capital
Priyanka Gill is a distinguished Venture Partner at Kalaari
Capital, where she plays a pivotal role in advising the firm's D2C
(Direct-to-Consumer) portfolio on various aspects including brand strategy,
growth, and marketing. Her position reflects her extensive expertise in guiding
emerging brands through complex challenges and opportunities in the digital
space.
Championing Female Founder-CEOs
In her role at Kalaari Capital, Priyanka also leads CXXO, a
specialized initiative focused on supporting female founder-CEOs. This
initiative aims to empower women entrepreneurs by providing the necessary
resources and guidance to scale their businesses effectively. Under her
leadership, CXXO is dedicated to creating a more equitable landscape for women
in the business world.
Driving Growth and Innovation
Priyanka’s involvement with CXXO and Kalaari Capital
underscores her commitment to fostering innovation and growth within the
startup ecosystem. Her work helps shape the future of digital businesses by
enhancing their strategic approaches and expanding their market reach. This
role positions her as a key influencer in the evolution of modern business
practices.
Advocating for Gender Equality in Entrepreneurship
A central aspect of Priyanka's career is her advocacy for
gender equality in entrepreneurship. By spearheading initiatives that support
female leaders, she contributes to creating a more inclusive environment where
women can thrive and make significant contributions to the economy and society.
Board Member of TiE Delhi-NCR
In her role as a board member of TiE Delhi-NCR, Gill
contributes to the world’s largest entrepreneurial organization dedicated to
fostering entrepreneurship. TiE’s mission includes providing mentoring,
networking opportunities, education, funding, and incubation for startups.
Gill’s involvement with TiE reflects her commitment to nurturing the Indian
startup ecosystem and promoting diversity and equity in entrepreneurship.
Professional Achievements
Priyanka is currently a Venture Partner at Kalaari Capital
and a Group Co-founder of the Good Glamm Group. Her roles involve significant
leadership and strategic oversight, reflecting her deep expertise in building
and scaling businesses. Additionally, she is a podcaster on "Dream Build
Scale," where she shares insights on entrepreneurship and business
development.
Skills and Expertise
Throughout her career and educational journey, Priyanka has
developed strong skills in writing, leadership, team building, and coaching.
Her background combines a solid academic foundation with extensive practical
experience, making her a prominent figure in the entrepreneurial and investment
community.
Timeline for Priyanka’s story
June 2, 1980: Born in Punjab, India.
1986-1993: Schooling at Convent of Jesus and Mary, Waverley.
2001: Graduated in English Literature from Lady Shri Ram
College, New Delhi.
2012-2015: Studied Modern India at King’s College London.
2014: Founded POPxo.
2017: Launched Plixxo.
August 2020: Merged POPxo with MyGlamm.
September 2021: Co-founded the Good Glamm Group.
February 2023: Launched the "Dream Build Scale"
podcast.
February 2023: Graduated with Dean’s honors from Columbia
and London Business Schools.
