Kadakia on Fortunes Powerful Women List

Payal Kadakia, an Indian origin entrepreneur has been named among the most promising businesswomen of 2015 by Fortune magazine in its annual recognition of 10 women innovators, ground breakers and game changers.

Kadakia is the CEO and co-founder of ClassPass, a two-year-old start-up that gives customers access to thousands of boutique fitness classes in their area.

“ClassPass is only two-year-old, but it has already booked more than 7 million fitness class reservations at gyms and studios across the US, plus Canada and the UK,” Fortune said in a statement.

Kadakia says she started the company after trying and failing to find a ballet class in New York City that she could attend.

“In that moment, I realised the pain point that most people must experience in staying connected to their hobbies and passions,” – said Kadakia

Each year, Fortune crowns 10 innovators, groundbreakers and game changers as ‘Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs’. This year’s 10 Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs will be honored at a Fortune summit in Washington.

The other honorees this year are Brit Morin, founder and CEO, Brit + Co, Jody Miller, co-founder and CEO of Business Talent Group and Christina Lomasney, president and CEO of Modumetal.