Entrepreneurs | Page 3

GIVA redefines fine jewelry with affordable, everyday designs, doubling revenue in 2024. Expanding aggressively, it opened 100 stores, launched 350 new designs, and invested in infrastructure, sustainability, and global growth.

As a Cross-Border Innovation Architect, Makiko Suzuki built a reputation for bringing together startups and corporations from Japan and the United States.

In the ever-evolving world of startups, Himanshu Pandey is a name worth remembering. Their story is not just about innovation; it's about impact, one data point at a time. As Segumento continues to grow, Pandey remains focused on his mission: to empower businesses through data-driven solutions.

Manu J. Nair, Co-Founder & CEO, Ethereal Exploration Guild, alongside co-founders Prashant and Shubhayu, is on a mission to make space more accessible. Their flagship project? The Razor Crest Mk-1, the world's first fully reusable medium-lift rocket. With groundbreaking technology and an ambitious vision, they're setting out to democratize space for emerging nations and the global economy alike.

Picture this, in bustling metro cities, securing a loan for a gadget is as simple as a few swipes on an app. But just a few hundred kilometers away, farmers struggle to get credit for essentials like seeds and fertilizers. For Arjun Ahluwalia, this stark disparity was the spark that ignited the creation of Jai Kisan.

With Chandana at the helm, the company is not just reaching for the stars—it's creating the pathways for others to do the same. Entering its commercial phase in 2025, Skyroot's emphasis on cost-efficient technologies like 3D-printing and optimized designs ensures a sustainable path to profitability as well.

Pranav Agarwal's story is more than an entrepreneurial success; it's a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. As SW Network continues to grow, Pranav's vision of creating an "India-first" global network is inspiring a new generation of dreamers and doers.

"Throughout this journey, the core belief of addressing critical consumer pain points has held strong. However, we've had to adapt by refining operations and improving efficiency, especially in response to external challenges," Aadit Palicha, CEO & Co-Founder, Zepto

Ankush Bahuguna's journey from architecture to viral comedy and beauty content is unique. Initially aspiring to act, he found success online with comedy and later, makeup. His brand, 'Wing It with Ankush', grew from a lockdown experiment into a thriving community. Looking ahead, Ankush plans to launch his own makeup line in 2025.

Aditi Mittal's comedy journey began unexpectedly through open mics. In 2025, she aims to deepen her artistic identity, embracing evolution and unplanned moments in comedy.

With over a decade of experience and 500 weddings under his portfolio— including Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, and Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa— Vishal and TWF have mastered the art of knowing what people want to remember.

Mogol TV's audience has grown from zero to more than 5.27 million subscribers in just nine years. Originally focused on a Russian-speaking audience, the channel has expanded internationally.

Iluvia addresses hard water-induced hair damage with its vegan, sulfate-free Hard Water Shampoo. Operating D2C and B2B2C, it partners with salons, offers sustainable solutions, and plans international expansion by 2025.

Nat Habit crafts 100% natural, Ayurveda-inspired personal care products, leveraging fresh ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and a D2C model. Boasting a 52% repeat rate, it plans product expansion and offline retail entry.

Traya offers personalised, science-backed hair loss solutions combining Ayurveda, dermatology, and nutrition. With AI-powered diagnostics, a thriving community, and a diverse product range, it aims for global expansion and brand trust.

Zaharenkov credits his growth in the travel field to producing content that engages people by focusing on authenticity and storytelling

The Indore-based hygiene brand Millennium Babycares excels in baby, fem-care, and adult hygiene products.

Starting with small-scale pilots in 2016, they allowed customers to subscribe and pay for milk in advance. By 2019, they established a solid customer base of around 5,000 subscribers, setting the groundwork for their D2C journey

Our current issue is one dedicated to the doyens of D2C. One clear theme, which emerged out of our conversations with entrepreneurs featured in this edition, is their newfound focus towards quick commerce, which is driving sales to a new high

The Pant Project offers custom-fit pants with personalised styles, leveraging D2C, social media engagement, and data analytics. Plans include expanding to denims, athleisure, and omnichannel experiences with INR 100 crore revenue goals.

Vijay Naidu is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and advisor with expert knowledge of the fintech industry including cryptocurrencies, NFTs, the Metaverse, and Web3

"We observed a highly unorganised sector riddled with counterfeit products, misleading label declarations, and a lack of proper quality control measures. As consumers, we struggled to find authentic, highquality products we could trust," said Shreyans Jain, founder & executive director, Nutrabay

In 2016, with just 20 cows and a dream of creating something better, Sid's Farm was born—a direct-to-consumer (D2C) dairy brand driven by a passion for quality

Founded in 2021 by Varun Sadana, the Bengaluru-based Supertails simplifies pet parenting with a digital platform offering products, personalised support, and resources.

Founded by Prateek Singhal and Ahmad Hushsham in 2021, Yoho offers affordable, comfortable footwear with over 100 styles, including orthopaedic slippers and sneakers, and plans to expand into kids' and sports footwear.

Nuseir Yassin, Founder and CEO of Nas Company and Nas Studios, shared five hacks for startups to succeed on the final day of the three-day Bengaluru Tech Summit.