Inc. Names Tulika (Tia) Dayal to Its 2025 Female Founders 500 List

[San Francisco, CA], March 11, 2025 – Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, today announced its eighth annual Female Founders list, honoring a bold group of 500 women whose innovations and ideas are leading their industries forward. These resilient entrepreneurs expressed grit and drive to collectively attract approximately $9 billion in 2024 revenue and $10.6 billion in funding.

Each year, Inc. editors review thousands of applications highlighting female founders who are challenging the status quo and tackling some of the world’s biggest problems and cull applicants through three rounds of judging, looking specifically at an entrepreneur’s bona fides in the past year. Criteria include quantifiable metrics such as revenue, sales, revenue growth, funding, and audience size. Inc. also looks for qualitative metrics, including social media momentum and stories of impact. 

Honoree selection is also honed through the evaluation of the program’s advisory board: Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary; Dany Garcia, founder, CEO, and chairperson of the Garcia Companies; Pinky Cole Hayes, founder and CEO of Slutty Vegan; Anu Duggal, founding partner at Female Founders Fund; Katherine Power, serial entrepreneur and partner at Greycroft; Tiffany Dufu, president of the Tory Burch Foundation and founder of the Cru; and Kay Koplovitz, co-founder and chair at Springboard Enterprises, founder of USA Network.

Tulika (Tia) Dayal, CXO and Co-founder of SkySelect, is an inspiring female entrepreneur who has challenged the status quo and addressed problems in the aviation supply chain. She commented on her recent recognition:

"It is an honor to be recognized among such an inspiring group of women who drive innovation and shape the future of business. This journey has been filled with challenges and triumphs, and this recognition fuels our passion to continue building a company that disrupts the industry and brings positive change. This celebration honors the collective dedication of our exceptional SkySelect team, our supportive community, and our unwavering belief in our mission."

The founders cross all industries and bring with them unique stories of success from each stage of the entrepreneurial journey — from startup to going public, being acquired by big buyers, or spending decades at the helm of an organization. Tulika emphasized:

"In 2024, SkySelect not only tripled its airline and MRO customer base but also surpassed a remarkable $5 billion in transactions. This milestone is a clear indication of the swift and widespread adoption of AI in the aircraft material supply chain, underscoring SkySelect's pivotal role in this evolution. This is only the beginning, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead."

"Female founders know what struggle is, but they’re also experts of improvisation, adaptability, and creativity. The women featured on this year’s list exemplify these qualities. Through times of uncertainty, their unwavering dedication and steadfast leadership are not only inspiring but vital to driving progress," said Inc. executive editor Diana Ransom.

Several honorees will be featured in Inc. magazine’s Female Founders issue on newsstands on March 18, 2025. To see the complete list of honorees, please click here.

About Inc.

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.