Who Is Kanika Tekriwal? Indian Aviation Entrepreneur Makes Cannes Debut

Kanika Tekriwal, founder of JetSetGo, is the first Indian aviation entrepreneur to walk the Cannes Film Festival red carpet. She made a statement in a cream and gold Anamika Khanna ensemble. The look included a hand-embroidered gold 'Durga' cape paired with a structured gharara and a mix of jewellery by Roma Narsinghani and Studio Metallurgy. Adorned with intricate details and jewels, Tekriwal's Cannes appearance embodied culture, reality, and luxury. 

Tekriwal was also a panellist for the segment called “Voices of Influence: Craft, Creativity & Cultural Presence,” which featured Indian women leaders across industries, including cinema, fashion, digital, and aviation. They discussed how innovation and leadership in these sectors are contributing to India’s evolving global image. 

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Who Is Kanika Tekriwal?

Kanika Tekriwal grew up in Bhopal and graduated from the UK's Coventry University. A cancer survivor, she launched JetSetGo in 2012, alongside co-founder Sudheer Perla, to create India’s first transparent marketplace for private aviation. Tekriwal spoke about her inspiring journey in leadership at SheThePeople's Digital Women Awards 2024.

"When I started this business, I used to be the only skirt in a sea of suits, the only one with nice hair in a room of bald heads," she joked. “The first time I walked into a boardroom to pitch, the customer turned to me and said, ‘Excuse me, miss, can you ask everyone whether they like coffee or tea?’... One customer told me, ‘Open a cupcake store or boutique'. But I stood my ground and convinced him to fly with us. He became our biggest champion.” 

Tekriwal also spoke about the indispensable contributions and unique resilience that women bring to leadership, sharing how she balances her demanding roles. “There are days I wake up crying, overwhelmed by 500 problems. But as women, we have this innate power to face challenges with a smile," she said at the award function.