Startup

From a mother’s kitchen in Mumbai to homes across India, Richa turned her mother’s recipes into a 15,000-order success — building a brand rooted in warmth, tradition, and the quiet power of women who rise and reshape their own destinies.

A salon visit often begins with ease and ends with anxiety at the counter. This story follows how Kamal Gulati noticed that hesitation and built a space where women could feel sure of the bill before the service began.

When postpartum depression left Keerthi searching for answers, seed cycling changed her life. Her brand now helps women across India regulate cycles, ease symptoms, and reconnect with their bodies.

From clean water pulled from air to solar trees that fit in a courtyard, from digital labour chowks to mobile science labs for village schools — meet the startups whose ideas shaped a more hopeful India in 2025.

On a January evening at IIT Bombay’s E-Cell event, Sheena and Karan Khurana walked onto a stage with a frozen espresso shot and 10 minutes to tell Zenma Coffee’s story. What followed brought belief, mentorship and a turning point for the startup she built with her brother Karan.

A Delhi homemaker, Suman Sukhija, turned her free time into a purpose — and built Orange Herb, a Rs 40 lakh Cordyceps (unique mushrooms) brand, from a 10x10 room with no science background. Today, she trains over 1,000 people and inspires women to pursue financial independence.

KOSHA.ai is a Bengaluru-based deep-tech initiative using IoT, AI and spectroscopy to bring transparency to India’s textile sector. By proving authenticity, enabling accurate fibre identification and supporting artisans, it is reshaping how craft and circularity are valued.

At 24, Prince Shukla returned to his Bihar village with plans on hold and a decision to make. What he started next is now shaping the way thousands of farmers grow, learn, and earn.

From scuba diving and learning new tech skills to exploring 20 countries, SeniorWorld is giving India’s seniors a vibrant second innings — filled with travel, learning, joy, and the freedom to live life exactly the way they want.

From Bengaluru, iGowise Mobility is changing urban transport with its self-balancing electric trike. Designed for safety, stability, and comfort, the trike empowers delivery workers, commuters, and micro-entrepreneurs to travel confidently even on India’s toughest streets.