5 Popular ‘Made in India’ Startup Unicorns You Must Know About
In previous months, the demand for made in India has increased exponentially with the growing anti-China sentiment in the nation. Post the Chinese apps ban, the Indian brands and technology-backed startups started by smart tech-savvy entrepreneurs have proved that the country has the potential to create global companies. There are some of the Indian startup unicorns that were there before PM Modi announced the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign and continuously working towards empowering India all together on this mission, which you would want to know about:
Hike
Hike—a homegrown social products and internet company founded in 2012 by Mr. Kavin Bharti Mittal. To leverage the user experience, in 2019, it evolved from being a company building a SuperApp to one that is building Multiple Apps. As a part of its multi-app strategy, Hike launched Hike sticker chat—a social platform which lets users communicate and express in their local self.
This made in India social platform is popular for its cool features such as stickers and in order to boost the hyperlocal aspect, Hike further launched Hikemoji (personalized avatars). Redefining what social means to Indian users, Hike recently launched HikeLand, a virtual world enabling magically shared experiences with HikeMoji as users’ virtual identity.
Zomato
Zomato—India’s largest food aggregator founded by Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah in 2008. The startup announced 10 days ‘period leave’ for all its female and transgender employees – a significant milestone in the country. The brand also introduced Zomato feeding India program amid the lockdown to help migrants who have been on their journey home with no food or even means to it.
OYO
Indian hospitality unicorn OYO recently announced its initiative to boost India’s growing startup ecosystem. To promote entrepreneurship ecosystem across the country’s tier I, II and III cities. Ritesh Agarwal, founder and CEO of Oyo Rooms will boost the startup ecosystem by working as an advisor and mentor with Mumbai-based incubator Venture Catalysts (VCats). Ritesh Agarwal launched OYO in 2013 with the belief that everyone deserves a beautifully designed, chic, and comfortable living space.
Paytm
Paytm is India's leading financial services company launched in 2010, which offers full-stack payments & financial solutions to consumers, offline merchants, and online platforms. The company has recently joined hands with Stock Holding Corporation of India to provide payment gateway services on its website and application for its five crore customers. The new launch comes nearly two years after Paytm Money started allowing mutual fund investments.
Ola
Ola is India’s largest mobility platform, founded in 2011 with a mission to build mobility for a billion people. Due to the pandemic, the ride-hailing company has launched ‘Ride Safe India’ initiative with an aim to ensure safer mobility in the country. Ride Safe India’ is Ola’s commitment to help the industry and leverage best practices and innovation for the larger good of the Indian community.
