Entrepreneurs

Inspired by the message of Dr BR Ambedkar, these sons and daughters of cobblers, daily wage workers and police constables from the Dalit community, who have lived in slums and experienced poverty, are now multi-millionaire entrepreneurs paving the way for others.

Using a sum of Rs 5 lakh he won at the Power of Ideas programme at IIM Ahmedabad, Pune-based Mayur Patil launched his startup, Small Spark Concepts, that builds innovative air filters

After quitting his job and failing to crack competitive exams, Abhay Bishnoi launched J B Capital with his friends to grow the cordyceps militaris mushroom variety, which has a host of health benefits for ailments like diabetes and heart diseases

Bengaluru-based friends Revathi Venkatesh and Suma VS started Ajjiya Aramane (Grandmother's Palace) to sell traditional cookware like kal chetti and thayir jadi.

Engineering graduate Vidhan Bhaiya from Chennai launched Dr Brinsley, a diabetic footwear company, that makes and sells fashionable shoes which reduce friction and shear stress, prevent external shocks, and accommodate deformities due to diabetes.

In what she calls a leap of faith, Tanvi Chowdhri left an illustrious career as an investment banker on Wall Street New York to follow her dream of making ice cream, and set up Papacream to sell 15 vegan, gluten-free and delectable flavours.

Chennai-based Anilkumar SG runs Samunnati that provides financial services, the right markets and institutional building for farmer producer organisations (FPOs).

Watch the awe-inspiring story of Jayanti Kathale, whose search for authentic Marathi food abroad ended up with her quitting her stable career to start Purnabramha, a restaurant that has a presence across India and Australia today.

Parthiv Thakkar from Ahmedabad is the genius behind Fakeera Burgers, a popular food stall at IIM-A that has become a favourite among students. Watch his inspiring story in this video.

The 23-year-old founder and CEO of Thaely, Ashay Bhave upcycles hundreds of kgs of plastic waste into chic sneakers that sell for Rs 7000 a pair. His brilliant idea has blown away Anand Mahindra and the rest of India's startup ecosystem.