Startup Pedia

At the age of 47, when Kerala’s Brijith Krishna lost his IT job during the pandemic in 2020, he was at a crossroads, unable to find a stable source of income for his family. He came from a family of cashew farmers. However, his small farm was also suffering a loss at the time. Being a vegetarian, Brijith always felt there was a lack of protein in most vegan diets. With this idea and a background in cashew farming, he intended to launch a food startup specializing in protein-rich sprouted cashews for vegans. Brijith officially launched his cashew sprouts venture, eatery Malabarikas LLP, in 2021 to prepare a variety of unique cashew dishes. Now, his startup supplies food items to major food supply companies and hotels in Kerala, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Initially, a major challenge for Brijith was the limited germination potential of cashews. However, through persistent research, he successfully extended the germination potential to 180-200 days, ensuring year-round availability of sprouted cashews. Coming from a family of cashew farmers at Iritty in Kannur, Brijith was aware of the challenges faced by the farmers. He knew that wet cashew nuts had no buyers. In an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia, Brijith said, “Rain spoils a year’s effort of a cashew farmer. During heavy rains, the cashew nuts absorb moisture, and because of the moisture content, these cashew nuts are refused by cashew nut processing companies. When I decided to start a venture, I was determined to find a solution to this problem.” The unseasonal rains in March-May affect the pollination process and the harvesting period. As the small farmers don’t have good storage facilities, they keep their harvest out in the open. During this time of the year, their produce gets wet. No cashew factory is ready to purchase this damaged product as the quality becomes poor, the colour gets faded, and the taste is also bad. Brijith did his research to come up with a patented technology that extends the germinability of cashews. Additionally, he received a Rs. 25 Lakh grant from the central government under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme. Today, Eatery Malabarikas offers a wider range of delicious cashew sprout dishes ranging from curries to salads, snacks, and milkshakes. Recently, Eatery Malabarikas received ISO 22000:2018 and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certifications from the globally recognized Food Safety Management System. Beyond his passion for cashew innovation, Brijith supports local farmers by purchasing wet cashews from at least 11 local farmers and transforming them into high-quality sprouted cashews. As a result of his efforts, Brijith achieved an annual turnover of Rs 25 lakh in FY24 and continues to expand his reach in the market. Brijith told Startup Pedia that he provides free training to small-scale farmers who want to make a living out of cashew farming. Read More: https://bit.ly/4fuFuBu #Startuppedia #startup

Backupdoc.AI, a Delhi-based AI-powered health-tech startup, aims to redefine trust in healthcare. Founded in 2024 by dentist couple Dr. Sanjeet Shanker and Dr. Devanjali Soin, the startup was born from a period of frustration. After receiving scathing criticism from a patient accusing him of bias in treatment, Dr. Shanker reflected on the growing mistrust between patients and doctors. This incident inspired the duo to create a platform that ensures objectivity in medical diagnostics, bridging the trust gap. Leveraging advanced AI, machine learning (ML), and computer vision technology, BackupDoc processes dental X-rays to generate detailed, colour-coded outputs that help dentists create more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. “We wanted to create an objective and unbiased tech platform that could create a bridge of trust between doctors and patients,” says Dr. Sanjeet Shanker, the co-founder & CEO of BackupDoc, during an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia. Initially, the founders considered a patient-user model but pivoted after realising patients struggled to interpret the AI-generated reports. Instead, they designed BackupDoc as a B2B SaaS platform tailored for dentists. This approach has been a success, with the platform gaining over 20 paying clients and processing more than 3,000 X-rays in just four months. Built on a modest ₹40 lakh budget, BackupDoc offers the same advanced technology as its global competitors—at 30x less cost. Subscriptions start at just ₹1,000, making the platform accessible to dentists across India. The startup’s affordability and focus on solving local challenges position it uniquely in the Indian medical industry. While currently focused on dentistry, BackupDoc’s roadmap includes expanding its AI capabilities to other medical fields like orthopaedics and cardiology. The founders are also developing EpikDoc, a practice management system for doctors that will integrate patient records, diagnostics, and administrative tasks, making clinics more efficient. However, awareness remains a challenge for the startup, and the founders are open to strategic partnerships and funding to scale operations and promote the platform. The startup’s rise aligns with the booming AI-driven health-tech sector in India (projected to reach $17.75 billion by 2032). With its innovative approach and mission to rebuild trust in healthcare, this Delhi startup is poised to transform the medical ecosystem, starting with dentistry and beyond. “Trust isn’t just earned—it’s engineered, and BackupDoc does just that. It gives doctors a tool to back their expertise with irrefutable evidence,” shares Dr. Devanjali Soin, the co-founder & COO of BackupDoc. Read More: https://bit.ly/4gEd0X2 Website - www.backupdoc.ai #Founder #DelhiStartup #Startup #SaaSStartup #MedicalStartup #HealthTech #AIPowered #DentalStartup #Dentists #HealthCare #StartupPedia #startupstory #startupfounder

In a recent interview with Humans of Bombay, Namita Thapar and Anupam Mittal shared their contrasting views on the idea of working a 70-hour workweek. The two successful entrepreneurs debated on work-life balance and the importance of long hours in building an extraordinary career. Namita, the CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals pointed out the potential negative impact on the physical and mental health of employees who work excessively long hours. However, Anupam Mittal, the founder and CEO of Shaadi.com, presented a different perspective. He argued that the idea of work-life balance is a "big lie" being told to the current generation. “I think it is a big lie that's being told to this generation, and I think it stinks because you are not ever going to... okay this is for people who want to achieve something extraordinary in life... you are not going to achieve anything extraordinary in life by counting the hours that you are putting in. Work-life harmony and flexibility, all that I understand.” Anupam stressed the importance of work-life harmony and flexibility, rather than simply clocking in hours. He shared how implementing a hybrid work model at Shaadi.com had increased productivity by 30 percent, allowing employees to balance their personal and professional lives effectively. “This is a crock of bull****,” the lady entrepreneur interrupted. “Pardon my language. I completely disagree. I apologise for interrupting you (Anupam).” Namita explained that while founders and high stakeholders may choose to work 24/7 to achieve success, the same should not be expected of common employees. Both Namita and Anupam agreed that achieving success requires dedication and hard work. While Namita stressed the need for common employees to have reasonable work limits, Anupam shared the importance of going all in to achieve extraordinary goals. They both acknowledged the value of commitment and perseverance in building character and achieving long-term success. #startuppedia #startup #worklifebalance #workhours #startupculture

According to a recent report by Business Insider, Google CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed the tech giant’s decision to reduce its workforce by 10% in managerial roles, including directors and vice presidents. Google is continuously facing intense competition from AI-focused rivals such as OpenAI. Pichai addressed the news during an all-hands meeting, pointing to the company's ongoing efforts to streamline operations and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. However, this reduction in the workforce is not a sudden layoff announcement but rather part of Google's broader restructuring strategy unfolding over the past two years. According to a Google spokesperson, some job roles have been transitioned to individual contributor roles, while others have been eliminated. This realignment aims to optimize efficiency and align the workforce with the company's current objectives and challenges. During the meeting, Pichai also touched upon the concept of "Googleyness," a term used internally to describe Google's unique culture and values. He expressed the need to update and redefine what Googleyness means in the context of today's Google, signalling a cultural shift to align with the company's modern challenges and aspirations. This adjustment reflects Google's commitment to evolving and adapting to the ever-changing tech landscape. In September 2022, Pichai shared his goal for Google to become 20% more efficient. Subsequently, in January, Google cut 12,000 jobs as part of its efficiency drive. Industry data from Layoffs.fyi reveals that a total of 150,034 employees have been laid off by 539 tech companies in 2024 so far. In 2023, 1,193 companies laid off 264,220 employees, indicating the broader trend of restructuring and realigning workforces across the tech sector. Big Tech companies like Google and OpenAI are actively racing to release consumer products that showcase the potential of AI technology. Notably, the introduction of AI-generated artwork, such as OpenAI's Dall-E and Google's Whisk, has captured public attention and opened the possibilities of AI in creative fields. #startuppedia #startup #google #jobcuts #layoffs #googleindia

Orthopaedic surgeon and co-founder of NutriByte Wellness, Dr Manan Vora discussed why the new trend of 10-minute food delivery would be “disastrous” for our health. In a recent post on LinkedIn, the doctor shared ultra-processed, ready-to-eat meals delivered to your doorstep by Zepto Cafe, Zomato Instant, or Swiggy Bolt increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity rates. The wellness startup founder wrote, “I’m a doctor, and I think this new trend of 10-minute food delivery will be disastrous to our health.” Elaborating he said, “Zepto Cafe, Zomato Instant, and Swiggy Bolt are now competing in quick-commerce food deliveries. They say it’s for our convenience. But we need to stop and ask a crucial question: HOW is this food reaching me in 10 minutes?” Dr. Vora further explained that for the food to be delivered in 10 minutes, it must be cooked in 3 minutes or less. With a flowchart, the doctor-turned-entrepreneur shared how quick commerce foods are “dangerous of all”. Pre-cooked → frozen → microwaved → delivered. Gisting the studies around ultra-processed foods (UPFs) he shared the following: - Increase the risk of cancer by 12% and cardiovascular disease by 10%. - Are linked to rising obesity rates, affecting 27.8% of Indian adults. - Cause increased sugar spikes, increasing the risk of diabetes. - Have higher trans fats, contributing to heart disease. Dr. Vora added that the quick commerce companies want to “capitalize on our need for convenience”. However, the fastly prepared can take a toll on your health. He suggested, “If you don’t have home-cooked food and need to order in, do so. But wait a little longer for FRESH food. Don’t compromise your health.” The doctor further urged general public to repost and spread the message: “Dear Zomato, Swiggy and Zepto: We don’t want ultra-processed garbage delivered in 10 minutes!” #startuppedia #startup #quickcommerce #fooddelivery #zepto #zeptocafe #swiggy #zomato #blinkit

Bengaluru has been facing a series of infrastructure issues in recent times, including traffic congestion, potholed roads, and skyrocketing rents. These problems have been exacerbated by a large influx of migrants into the city, leading to various challenges. Among these issues, the debate over the promotion of the Kannada language has become a contentious topic, with reports of harassment and discrimination against non-Kannada speakers. Over the past few years, efforts have been made to promote Kannada in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka. However, this push for linguistic identity has also led to instances of discrimination and intolerance towards individuals who do not speak the local language. Autowallahs refusing rides, vandalism of signboards in English, and overcharging of customers speaking Hindi are just some of the examples of the challenges faced by non-Kannada speakers in the city. Adding fuel to the fire, Vikram Chopra, the CEO of Cars24 based in Delhi NCR, recently sparked controversy with a hiring post that took a direct jab at Bengaluru’s language issue. In his post, Chopra called out engineers who have spent years in Bengaluru but still can't speak Kannada, inviting them to work in Delhi NCR instead. He wrote, “Still can’t speak Kannada after years in Bengaluru? It’s OK. Aa jao Dilli.” He further elaborated, “We are not saying Delhi NCR is better. Only that it really is.” The post, which aimed to attract talented engineers looking to stay close to home, received mixed reactions on social media platforms like X and LinkedIn. While some criticized Chopra's post as distasteful and questioned his motives behind promoting Delhi NCR over Bengaluru, others commended the CEO for encouraging engineers to work closer to their families. #startuppedia #startup #delhi #bengaluru #language

Harit Nagpal, MD and CEO of Tata Play Ltd, recently sparked a social media debate with his controversial statement about hiring practices. In a LinkedIn post, Nagpal discussed the importance of embracing employees' unique beliefs and attitudes, urging companies to "rent people" instead of focusing on building employees' careers within their organization. He wrote, “Don’t build careers. Rent people. This isn’t their first job. They won’t retire here.” Nagpal's opening remark, encouraging companies to "rent people," immediately caught the attention of social media users. While some applauded his fresh perspective on talent acquisition, others were left puzzled by his choice of words. The phrase sparked a mixed response, with many questioning the implications behind the seemingly transactional term. In his post, Nagpal, however, shared the importance of recognizing and respecting employees' diverse backgrounds and experiences. He encouraged employers to shift their mindset away from expecting long-term loyalty and instead focus on creating an environment where individuals can thrive and grow in their own unique ways. By urging companies to "rent people," Nagpal challenged the conventional notion of hiring for a long-term commitment. He pointed out the reality that most employees today do not stay with one company for the entirety of their careers and that organizations need to adapt to this new dynamic. Nagpal's message ultimately centered around the idea of fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth within the workplace. By allowing employees the freedom to explore their own paths and interests, companies can create a more innovative and dynamic environment that adapts to the ever-changing needs of both employees and the business. An individual commented on his post, “Your perspective on empowering employees is inspiring, but I respectfully disagree with the “rent people” analogy. While it’s true that employees may not stay with one company forever, treating the relationship as purely transactional undermines the importance of long-term investment in individuals.” #startuppedia #startup #hiring #job #talent

Food entrepreneur Nalini Unagar quit her YouTube career after experiencing huge financial loss. Over three years, she claims to have invested approximately Rs 8 lakh in her venture, the cooking channel Nalini's Kitchen Recipe. However, she informed to have received zero income from that. Nalini said she invested the said amount for building a kitchen, purchasing studio equipment, and promoting her videos to set up the venture. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter),  she opened up about her struggles and plans to sell her kitchen accessories and studio equipment. “I failed in my YouTube career, so I’m selling all my kitchen accessories and studio equipment. If anyone is interested in buying, please let me know,” she wrote. Despite creating over 250 videos, the cooking channel had 2,450 subscribers. Frustrated, she decided to delete all content and sell her business equipment. In a follow-up post, the woman entrepreneur detailed the financial toll her venture took. “Let me confess today—I have invested approximately Rs 8 lakhs in my YouTube channel for building a kitchen, buying studio equipment, and promotions. The return? Rs 0.” The young entrepreneur also mentioned, “Online platforms require a bit of luck too, so it’s wise not to rely on them as a primary source of income. Your ‘shop’ can shut down before you even wake up the next day.” Her posts went viral, sparking a discussion about the challenges of succeeding as a business owner in the virtual space. Netizens empathized with her struggles, offering words of encouragement. Few netizens pointed out that Nalini’s experience can serve as a valuable lesson for other entrepreneurs who build their businesses solely relying on social media platforms. Notably, the food entrepreneur’s decision to quit YouTube is getting covered by various media outlets and social media channels. So, she recently shared a screenshot of the coverage on X, remarking, "When you fail, fail in such a way that even failure feels like success.” #startuppedia #startup #smallbusiness #business #youtube #foodbuainess

From the serene town of Siliguri, Mudit Agarwal, a 36-year-old entrepreneur, is leading a quiet revolution with his startup, GrassPly. Founded in 2013, GrassPly is on a mission to transform the perception of bamboo from "poor man's timber" to "green gold.” The company’s annual revenue reached ₹5.5 crore last year, reflecting its growth and the increasing demand for sustainable products. Mudit’s entrepreneurial journey began far from bamboo fields. With a degree from Christ University, Bangalore, he started his career in 2010 in computer hardware sales before moving to Arunachal Pradesh in 2011 to work in his uncle’s bamboo products factory. This hands-on experience sparked his interest in the bamboo industry. In 2013, with ₹1 lakh in investment, he started GrassPly as a trading company, initially sourcing bamboo products from his uncle’s factory. After seven years of trading, Mudit pivoted to contract manufacturing in 2020, which allowed GrassPly to control quality and improve margins. This shift, made during the pandemic, paid off as demand surged. To further mitigate risks and gain more control over quality and cost, in 2023 Mudit rented a factory for manufacturing bamboo products and also began constructing a greenfield facility. GrassPly’s greenfield factory, expected to be completed by early 2025, will enhance production capacity, reduce costs, and streamline operations. GrassPly’s product range includes bamboo flooring tiles, strip boards, mat boards, dynamic bamboo boards, and even bamboo towels and apparel. The company’s prefabricated bamboo structures are particularly popular in the construction industry, highlighting bamboo's strength and sustainability. The company’s future plans include expanding into bamboo charcoal and cane furniture. Bamboo charcoal has significant untapped potential in India, while the cane furniture line aims to offer eco-friendly interior solutions. Despite its advantages, bamboo’s perception remains a challenge in India. GrassPly is working hard to educate customers and shift this mindset. The company engages with local farmers, ensuring fair prices and fostering a sustainable supply chain. As India’s bamboo industry is poised for growth, with an estimated CAGR of 10.3% over the next decade, GrassPly is poised to be a market leader, promoting sustainability and conscious consumption. GrassPly is proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand, inspiring a new generation of eco-conscious entrepreneurs. Mudit's advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is, “Start small, scale gradually, stay focused, and never underestimate the power of persistence.” Read More: https://bit.ly/3DojI57 Website - www.grassply.in #Founder #SiliguriStartup #Startup #ProductStartup #SustainableStartup #IndiaBambooIndustry #Bamboo #BambooProducts #BambooStartup #StartupPedia

Today, Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal made a big announcement on social media platforms that he is going to inaugurate a record-breaking 4000 stores on Christmas 25th December! “Ola Electric #SavingsWalaScooter will now be accessible to every city, town and tehsil!” the EV startup founder wrote. He further elaborated, “This is one of the fastest expansion of distribution network globally. With this, we will deliver affordable, accessible & sustainable mobility through our robust direct-to-consumer network and further accelerate India's EV adoption to #EndICEAge!” Following the announcement, Ola Electric’s shares rose by 6.85% to Rs 93.41 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), indicating strong market confidence in the company’s growth trajectory. Ola Electric’s ambitious plan includes the addition of over 3200 outlets to its existing 800-store network, ensuring a presence in every Indian city, town, and rural area. This massive expansion will position Ola Electric as the largest EV distributor in the country. Notably, Ola Electric's ambitious plan includes the introduction of new scooter models such as the Ola Gig, Gig+, S1 Z, and S1 Z+, priced from Rs 39,999. These models are designed to cater to the diverse needs of urban, semi-urban, and rural users, with features like durable designs, removable batteries, and flexible options for users. Deliveries for these scooters are set to commence in April and May 2025, with bookings currently open for Rs 499. Moreover, Ola Electric has launched several initiatives to accelerate EV adoption, particularly in underserved regions. The HyperService Initiative ensures complete service coverage, including remote areas, while the Network Partner Program aims to onboard 10000 partners for sales and service by 2025. The EV Service Training Program plans to train one lakh mechanics nationwide, equipping them with specialized EV service skills. With plans to launch products such as motorcycles, three-wheelers, and electric scooters, Aggarwal has dubbed 2025 as the "year of products" for Ola Electric. #startuppedia #startup #ola #olascooter #olaelectric #olabike #ev