By Tina Mittal
My name is Tina Mittal, and today I serve as the Director of Nova Formworks, India’s leading patented modular plastic formwork manufacturing company – but my journey did not begin in a boardroom. It began at home, as a woman transitioning from being a full-time homemaker to building a strong identity in a field where women were nearly invisible.
I come from an educational background that shaped me to lead with discipline, empathy and confidence. I completed my schooling at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, where I was honoured with the Outstanding Student Award, served as a Prefect, and was the President of the Interact Club – a combination that taught me leadership from a young age. I was also a sportsperson, representing my school in athletics and basketball, and winning medals at inter-school and zonal levels. Sports gave me the mindset that still guides me today – consistency, resilience and teamwork win battles, not just talent. Later, I pursued B. Com (Hons.) from Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), one of India’s most competitive institutions, where collaboration, critical thinking and responsibility became a natural part of me.
My entry into Nova Formworks wasn’t planned. In 2009, I stepped into the business not as an expert, but as a homemaker, when my husband Mr. Vikas Kumar Mittal had just developed our patented Nova plastic formwork. The construction industry felt overwhelmingly technical and male-dominated, but my husband believed in my potential before I believed in myself. He encouraged me to step in, learn, and build my own identity alongside him. That support became the first turning point of my professional life.
He handed me the responsibility of managing our plastic corrugated sheet unit in Narela, and suddenly I was in charge of a complete unit – managing people, operations and systems. I was the only woman in the entire factory, and later again the only woman at Nova. Those early days were not easy. But they became the foundation of the leader I am today.
My journey with Nova has now completed 16 years, and when I look back, I don’t just see milestones – I see courage, silent learning, and the determination to build something meaningful in a place where very few women had ever stepped. Today, as Director, I look after operations, branding and administration, ensuring that Nova runs smoothly while remaining aligned with our long-term vision of faster, safer, cleaner and greener construction.Nova Formworks is India’s No. 1 patented nodular plastic formwork system, replacing traditional plywood and metal formwork with lightweight, reusable, high-precision and sustainable solutions. Our modular formwork improves construction by:
- Reducing labour fatigue
- enabling 100+ reuses, reducing costs and waste
- requiring no cutting or skilled labour improving safety
- improving safety
- speeding up slab cycles
- supporting sustainability with 100% recyclability
- providing consistent finishing in every pour
But beyond features, what makes our innovation powerful is its human impact – it protects workers, enhances efficiency and builds sustainably for the planet.
Our clients include leading civil contractors, construction companies and major government organisations such as NHAI, RRTS, CPWD, MES, BRO, AAI, Indian Railways, Delhi Metro, WAPCOS and more. We serve projects across India and 20+ countries, and our vision remains simple:
Made in India. Made for the World.
Challenges shaped me more than success ever could. Being the only woman in factory units, walking into meeting rooms where I was the only woman, facing silent doubts about my capability, learning technical operations from scratch, and balancing motherhood and work – these were real battles. But every doubt made me work harder, every bias made me sharper, and every challenge made me stronger.
My boldest decision was choosing not to step back from difficult spaces, but to be the first woman in our production units – and then ensure I would not be the last. Today, we have 10+ women working proudly in our production units, and seeing them thrive is one of my biggest victories.
We are still working through challenges – the industry mindset shift from traditional formwork to Nova technology, constant training support for smooth adoption, and expanding logistical reach across the country. But innovation-led companies are built one solution at a time, and we keep evolving relentlessly.
Recognition has followed along the way, and I accept it with gratitude. I am honoured to have received:
- MSME India Business Award
- The Real Women Award
- SHEROES Award by NAREDCO Mahi
- Construction Industry Excellence Awards (2021 & 2024)
- IWAA Industry Women Achievers Award
- PMAY Recognition for sustainable contribution
These awards aren’t just milestones – they are proof that women belong in every room where innovation happens.
My motivation comes from the people around me. My husband believed in my abilities long before I did. My children support and encourage me every day. And my team stands with me at every step. Consistency, willingness to learn, responsibility and gratitude keep me grounded and moving forward.
I measure success not only through growth, but also through stability and contribution. Success is the woman I have become – stronger, more confident and more aware than the woman I once was. It is the value I create for Nova, for my team, for the ecosystem, and for the women who resonate with my story. My success mantra is simple and powerful:
Keep learning. Keep growing.
Learning keeps me open. Growing keeps me moving.
My goal for the future is clear – to take Nova Formworks to the global stage and to grow personally into a leader who empowers, uplifts and makes meaningful change. For me, Nova is not just a business – it is a platform to build better systems, empower more women, support workers and create a better world through sustainability, dignity and structural strength.
If I must leave a message for young entrepreneurs – it is this:
If you are dreaming of starting something – start, even if you are scared.
Barriers are stepping stones. Belief begins within. Support, even from one person, can become wings. The future belongs to women who believe in their dreams, and every story is worth writing – boldly and beautifully.
My journey has never been only about the panels we manufacture. It has been about the people whose lives intersect with ours – workers, families, communities and children who deserve a better tomorrow. At Nova, we build more than structures – we build confidence, dignity and opportunity. And as long as I keep growing and helping others grow, I know I am exactly where I am meant to be.
