What does it take to turn a personal moment into a meaningful business idea? For the women featured on ‘Her Startup Show,’ it’s all about courage, care, and having a strong purpose. Many of these self-made founders got a chance to share their unique startup journeys on the show while competing for a grant of Rs 10 lakh. Even though only a few won the grant, all of them stood out for their passion, creativity, and drive to make a difference.
From eco-friendly living to preserving Indian art, these women are proving that building a business isn't just about making money, it's also about making a difference.
Let’s take a look at how these inspiring founders turned life’s challenges into powerful startups.
At the age of 67, Usha Kapoor found her calling where she least expected—at her son’s football field. After seeing kids eat mostly junk food, she decided to open Boundary Café right there to serve healthier options. But her café is more than just a food stall—it also supports children from low-income backgrounds, offering them food and financial help. Her story shows that it’s never too late to start something meaningful.
When COVID-19 and depression hit in 2020, Dr Rupsa Das turned to painting as a form of self-healing. What began as therapy became ‘Artistrii,’ an online art venture. She later connected with local artists to explore Pattachitra, a traditional painting style from Odisha. Today, her 14-member team sells art online while supporting more artisans by giving them a platform to grow and earn.
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After leaving her corporate job, Kirti Makhija chose a path focused on health and sustainability. She started Niraala, a brand that promotes traditional Indian copper utensils. Her products reflect ancient wisdom, and her team includes women, men, and even third-gender artisans. By making handcrafted items in a fair, inclusive way, she’s turning back to roots while moving forward with purpose.
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With over 15 years of music teaching experience, Liza Lyngdoh wanted to make music education more affordable. That’s how Rockstar Unity Academy came to life, which is an online platform where students from anywhere can learn music at their own pace from expert teachers. From beginners to budding professionals, she’s helping talents grow, no matter their budget or background.
When her husband was diagnosed with diabetes, Ruchi started looking for natural sugar alternatives. She discovered date palm jaggery but faced challenges in preserving it. So, she launched Treelogical—a startup that brings this rare jaggery from Kolkata and stores it in a new, long-lasting granular form. Her idea is not only healthy but also supports local producers.
Based in Chennai, Meenakshi used her experience in waste management to launch EETA Sustainable Solutions. Her startup turns kitchen waste into compost and protein using Black Soldier Fly technology. What makes her work special is that it creates jobs while taking care of the planet. She’s helping build a better system for managing waste—one that’s green, efficient, and community-focused.
Just like them, many more inspiring women are creating waves with their bold ideas. Tune into ‘The Her Startup Show’ to discover more changemakers, some of whom walked away with the much-coveted grant.
GroupM Motion Entertainment and Mindshare, in collaboration with Britannia and digital partner HerZindagi, have unveiled Season 2 of 'Her Startup Show'—India’s first and only national reality series dedicated solely to women entrepreneurs. It is now streaming on JioHotstar.
Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.
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