Startup

Meet five farmers who turned surplus harvests into profitable ventures. From turmeric powder to jackfruit burgers and jamun products, they show how simple processing reduces waste and creates income.

What if furniture could grow, not be built? In Mumbai, architects Bhakti Loonawat and Suyash Sawant launched ‘Anomalia’ to turn mushrooms into consoles, blocks, and textiles — light, durable pieces that challenge how we think about design.

Founded by Navkaran Singh Bagga, Akvo Atmospheric Water Systems is a Kolkata-based startup creating clean drinking water from air. With over 100 million litres generated across 15 countries, it offers a sustainable alternative to groundwater, pipelines, and plastic bottles.

Bengaluru-based startup Clairco, founded by Aayush Jha, is converting commercial air-conditioners into air purifiers using low-drag nano filters and IoT monitoring. Their solution costs “a hundred times cheaper” than traditional systems and delivers clean indoor air in offices, malls and multiplexes.

Praan, Inc., a cleantech startup based in Mumbai founded by Angad Daryani, has built one of the world's most advanced air purification technologies.

Pooja Kaul’s startup Organiko turns donkey milk into sustainable skincare, empowering 150 families while rewriting the narrative of dignity and livelihood for India’s donkey owners.

Losing 80% mobility showed Soumita Basu how fashion excludes millions. Alongside her mother, she built ‘Zyenika’, an adaptive clothing brand restoring dignity and independence to disabled and elderly people through thoughtful, stylish design.

Chandrashekhar Mandal started Digital Labour Chowk to support daily wage labourers by connecting them with employers through an online platform. Inspired by the struggles of blue-collar workers in his family and hometown, he aims to provide them with dignity, identity, and a steady income.

Sagar Malhotra left a flourishing banking career to follow his passion for food. He founded Chakh De Chole and created India's first-ever chhole kulche vending machine, bringing authentic street food with a modern twist. This is his story.

In Sadri, Rajasthan, the Raika community, known for herding camels, has shifted from trading to sustainable camel milk production through Camel Charisma. This social enterprise, led by Dr Ilse Köhler - Rollefson and Hanwant Singh Rathore, is helping preserve the Raikas’ way of life and livelihood.