Building a Sustainable Future: Indian Startups Making a Social Impact
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” — Robert Swan
THE 7-STEP STARTUP SUCCESS FORMULA - DR. ANU KHANCHANDANI
Every entrepreneur’s journey is a mix of failures and successes. The probability of failure is higher, however, there is a way to grow and keep growing until you build a successful startup. This book is one such guide to help you with 7 formulas for your success.
Transcript
Today, we’re exploring the theme of sustainability and social impact, focusing on how Indian entrepreneurs have built businesses that not only succeed financially but also make a positive impact on society and the environment.
The first story is about Ankit Agarwal, the founder of Phool.co, a startup based in Kanpur. Phool.co is transforming the way temple waste is managed in India. Ankit observed that tons of flowers offered in temples were being discarded into the Ganges River, causing severe pollution.
To address this issue, Ankit founded Phool.co in 2017. The startup collects floral waste from temples and mosques, processes it, and creates eco-friendly products like incense sticks and organic fertilizers. This innovative approach not only helps in reducing pollution but also provides employment to women from marginalized communities, empowering them economically.
Phool.co’s products have gained popularity for their quality and sustainability, turning a waste problem into a successful business model with a profound social and environmental impact.
The second story is about Suhani Mohan, the co-founder of Saral Designs, a Mumbai-based startup focused on improving menstrual hygiene in India. Suhani realized that lack of access to affordable sanitary products was a significant issue in many rural areas, leading to health problems and absenteeism in schools among young girls.
Suhani co-founded Saral Designs in 2015 with the goal of producing low-cost sanitary napkins using decentralized manufacturing units. Their innovative machine, Swachh, enables local production of sanitary pads, making them affordable and accessible. This approach not only addresses menstrual hygiene but also creates local employment and empowers women entrepreneurs.
Saral Designs has partnered with NGOs and government bodies to distribute sanitary products in remote areas, significantly improving menstrual health and hygiene awareness. The startup has received several awards and recognition for its impactful work.
These stories demonstrate that sustainability and social impact can go hand-in-hand with business success. Ankit Agarwal and Suhani Mohan have shown that addressing social and environmental issues through innovative solutions can create thriving businesses while making a positive difference in the world.
Lesson learnt – By focusing on sustainability and social impact, startups can build successful business models that benefit society and the environment.
If you’re interested in discussing how to integrate sustainability and social impact into your startup or want to explore innovative solutions for your business challenges, visit my website www.thegreycells.com and Book an Appointment with me. I’d be thrilled to contribute to your startup’s success.
Until next time – Ciao and have a great life!
With over two decades of experience in the software technology arena, having worked in multinational and SME companies in India, USA and Singapore in the capacity of programmer to CTO – I felt now was a good time to give back to the world what I have learnt in this journey. Even if it ends up benefitting a few of my readers by giving them insight or solving a technical issue, I think I will have achieved my mission!