17-05-2025
Kanika Tekriwal Becomes First Indian Woman In Aviation On The Cannes Red Carpet
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Kanika Tekriwal spoke at the Voices of Influence: Craft, Creativity & Cultural Presence panel discussion at Cannes. She talked about innovation and leadership in aviation.
Kanika Tekriwal, founder and CEO of JetSetGo, made history by becoming the first Indian woman from the aviation industry to walk the Cannes Film Festival red carpet. This moment is not just about personal success, but it represents how Indian entrepreneurs, especially women, are gradually shaping global conversations and breaking into spaces once considered out of reach.
Kanika was also invited to be part of the prestigious panel discussion titled Voices of Influence: Craft, Creativity & Cultural Presence. This panel brought together women who are redefining India's global identity through cinema, fashion, aviation, and digital media. Through their personal vision and public impact, these voices are reshaping how Indian creativity, ambition, and cultural presence are viewed around the world. Representing aviation among this diverse group, Kanika underscored how innovation and leadership in the sector can contribute meaningfully to this narrative.
Talking about being at Cannes, Kanika said, 'At Cannes, I felt a deep sense of both humility and purpose. This moment isn't just mine. It's for every woman, every entrepreneur, and every young person who's been told they don't belong in certain rooms. It's proof that with persistence, those rooms can open."
For someone who started a company in an industry dominated by big players, overcoming scepticism and countless challenges was a daily reality. Facing a cancer diagnosis at just 21, Kanika could have chosen any path. Instead, she chose to fight, not just for her health, but to create a company that would redefine luxury travel in India.
Walking that red carpet was a quiet celebration of every struggle, every doubt, and every moment she pushed forward when the odds seemed overwhelming. It was a reminder that building something meaningful takes more than luck. It takes resilience, vision, and a willingness to keep going even when the road is tough.
But Kanika's story is about more than breaking barriers. Her time at Cannes was also about pushing important conversations forward, especially around the future of aviation. Her presence at this global cultural event sends a simple but powerful message – Indian startups are no longer just local players; they are increasingly shaping industries on the world stage.
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