Startup to Scaleup

Discover how two sisters transformed traditional sarees into a modern fashion statement embraced by Bollywood and everyday women. This episode of Start Up To Scale Up explores their journey from corporate careers to pioneering a brand that blends heritage with innovation.

Ugaoo’s story began in a humble seed shop and has blossomed into one of India’s most innovative urban gardening startups. In this episode of Start Up To Scale Up, founder Siddhant Bhalinge shares how family legacy, a passion for plants, and a bold vision for new India led to Ugaoo’s rise. Discover how Ugaoo is bridging the gap between traditional nurseries and modern plant parents, making gardening accessible, hassle-free, and cool for millennials and Gen Z.

From blogging in the early 2010s to launching her beauty brand 'Wearified', Aanam Chashmawala’s journey is equal parts inspiring and honest. In this exclusive conversation, she opens up about how she broke into a male-dominated industry, why "suitability" in beauty is outdated, and the hard truths about bootstrapping a business in a saturated market. She also shares her unfiltered takes on influencer culture, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and the future of beauty in India.

From quitting their day jobs to building a brand worn by millions, The Souled Store’s journey is a masterclass in turning pop culture passion into a business empire. Co-founder Harsh Lal reveals how four friends started with funny t-shirts, landed their first licenses with Friends and The Big Bang Theory, and grew into a powerhouse with 200+ licenses and 8 million loyal customers.

Ahana Gautam, founder of Open Secret, charts her journey from a childhood in Rajasthan to building one of India’s most innovative snacking brands. She tackles how “junk” entered Indian homes, why protein deficiency (Indians eat just 40–45g daily) is a national issue, and the challenges of beating established FMCG brands. Ahana shares how Open Secret’s “unjunked” snacks (no maida, no palm oil, no artificial additives) are not just tasty but affordable and made for the modern Indian family.

Dinesh Arjun, co-founder of Chennai-based startup Rapti, shares the exhilarating journey of creating India’s first high-voltage electric motorcycle, the T30—a 240-volt powerhouse that charges faster than a phone and outperforms 250cc petrol bikes. From early challenges in R&D and building a complex supplier ecosystem to pioneering certification for a never-before-seen architecture in two-wheelers, Dinesh reveals how Rapti is rewriting the rules for electric mobility in India. Drawing from his experience at Tesla and his commitment to bringing innovation back home, he talks about turning skepticism into belief, fostering a mission-driven culture, and betting big on an EV future where electric motorcycles aren’t just eco-friendly options but thrilling upgrades. This episode dives deep into technology, market realities, fundraising hurdles, and the passionate team propelling Rapti’s vision to transform India’s two-wheeler landscape with speed, convenience, and performance.