6 Successful Startups which were started by Friends

Rapture Innovation Labs, From Friendship to Business Partners : Making a Difference Together

Navajith, originally from Mangalore, and Jagath, from Madikeri, crossed paths at Sahyadri College of Engineering in 2013. Pursuing their degrees in mechanical engineering and electronics engineering respectively, they shared ambitious aspirations and actively participated in renowned tech and innovation competitions, including those organized by IIT.

Their journey took a significant turn when they joined the "Dreamers" team, initiated by their seniors at Sahyadri College. This opportunity allowed them to work on innovative ideas and showcase their projects at national events.

Notably, their development of a smart helmet for motorcyclists brought them victories in multiple national innovation contests.

Two standout moments from their journey include receiving the esteemed "Best Young Innovators" award in 2015, presented by CII, AICTE, DST, and IIT-D and bestowed upon them by Dr. Harsha Vardhan.

They also achieved a Gold Award at KPIT Sparkle 2018, recognized by Dr. Harkesh Mittal from NSTEDB and Dr. Radhakrishnan, the former Chairman of ISRO.

During their college years, Navajith and Jagath, both passionate about music, struggled to find headphones that could cater to their diverse audio preferences and deliver a live performance or movie theatre-like experience on the go.

Determined to challenge the status quo, they focused on integrating subwoofers, akin to those found in high-end speakers and home theatre systems, into headphones.

After years of dedicated work, they successfully created a prototype that garnered immense praise and validation from their peers, sparking their desire to own a pair themselves.

Encouraged by the positive response, they took a leap of faith and founded Rapture Innovation Labs. Their mission is to establish a seamless connection between individuals and sound, providing an enchanting audio experience.

Their inaugural product is aptly tagged as "Crafted for an Eargasmic Experience," inviting individuals to immerse themselves and find inspiration through music.

As they embarked on their entrepreneurial journey, they recognized the absence of a prominent Indian audio company specializing in audio technology, designs, and manufacturing for the global market.

This realization fueled their determination to introduce a world-class product designed, engineered, and made in India for a global audience.

They aimed to redefine the headphone experience, offering music enthusiasts a new dimension in audio that traditional headphones couldn't deliver.

 2) Anagram Media Labs, Unbreakable Bond: Two Friends on a Journey to Inspire Memorable Brands

In the realm of entrepreneurship, partnerships can make or break the success of a venture. For Manjul and Kamal, best friends since their school days, their unbreakable bond and shared vision became the driving force behind their journey as they embarked on the inception of their firm, Anagram Media Labs.

Throughout their growing years, Manjul and Kamal stood side by side, weathering the storms of life together. Their friendship not only withstood the test of time but flourished, laying the foundation for a remarkable business partnership.

With a shared passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to make a lasting impact, they ventured into various business endeavors, learning valuable lessons along the way.

In 2020, fueled by their unwavering commitment to excellence, they decided to take their partnership to the next level and co-founded Anagram. Their deep-rooted friendship served as a solid bedrock for their new venture, enabling them to seamlessly align their goals and aspirations. 

Their shared vision acted as a guiding light for the birth of Anagram. Manjul and Kamal aimed to create 1000 memorable brands on an international scale.

They understood that branding was more than just a logo or tagline; it was about connecting with consumers on a profound level, creating lasting impressions that would stand the test of time.

At the core of their philosophy was the belief that brands should realize their full potential in the ever-changing landscape of marketing. Manjul and Kamal were driven by the desire to solve customers' problems on a grand scale, going beyond mere surface-level solutions.

Their approach revolved around crafting customized branding and marketing solutions tailored to each client's unique needs.

Their dedication to providing exceptional service and their unwavering commitment to their clients quickly set Anagram apart from its competitors. Manjul's creative brilliance, combined with Kamal's astute business acumen, formed a powerful duo that propelled the firm forward.

The success of Anagram can be attributed not only to their complementary skill sets but also to their friendship, which fostered an environment of trust, open communication, and shared values.

Their unbreakable bond allowed them to navigate the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship with resilience and determination, emerging stronger and more united each time.

Today, as Anagram continues to grow, Manjul and Kamal remain the epitome of friendship and business partnership. Their story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating the power of camaraderie, shared dreams, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

In a world where businesses come and go, Manjul and Kamal's enduring friendship and their unyielding commitment to creating memorable brands stand as a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit.

Together, they are leaving an indelible mark on the world of branding, proving that when two friends come together with a common purpose, anything is possible.

3) Iki Chic, How Friendship turns into Love and Companionship, meet the CEO & Founder

Himanshu Jain & Aditti Jain, the epitome of lifelong friendship, were inseparable from the moment they met. Their bond only grew stronger over time, and they became the best of friends.

As fate would have it, their friendship blossomed into love, and they found themselves deeply connected, ready to embark on a journey of love, trust, and companionship.

Himanshu Jain stood tall as a titan of success in the world of technology and gaming. With a visionary mind and an unwavering commitment to excellence, he had already established three thriving brands (Acro Engineering Company, Ant Esports, and Ant Play) dealing with cutting-edge computers and gaming parts.

His name resonated with innovation, quality, and trust, and he had become a trailblazer in his industry, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of tech enthusiasts worldwide. Aditti had been his constant support in this journey.

Aditti Jain, a woman of extraordinary talent and creativity. She had an undeniable flair for fashion and design, but her dreams had taken a backseat in the face of life's demands.

That's when Himanshu, with his boundless support and unwavering belief in her potential, stepped in to change the course of Aditti's life.

When the world was grappling with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aditti's creativity found a new direction in the year 2020.

Inspired by the book "IKIGAI: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life," she discovered her purpose, which was to create her own fashion line, IKI CHIC. The name was a nod to the book that had given her the inspiration she needed to embark on this new chapter of her life.

Knowing the joy and fulfillment that come from following one's passion, Himanshu motivated Aditti to embrace her innate talent and live her dream of becoming a fashion designer. He recognized the fire within her and encouraged her to spread her wings and soar in the world of fashion.

With Himanshu's support and guidance, Aditti embarked on a new chapter in her life. She pursued her studies in fashion design, honed her skills, and delved into the intricacies of the industry.

Himanshu's own journey of success served as a guiding light, showing her that with determination and dedication, dreams could indeed turn into reality.

The journey of Aditti and Himanshu Jain was a testament to the power of friendship, love, and unwavering support. Their bond grew stronger as they pursued Aditti's dream together, each step bringing them closer to achieving their goals.

And so, in the heart of Delhi, amid the vibrant colors of fashion and the warmth of their love, Aditti and Himanshu Jain proved that when friends become partners and share a vision, anything is possible.

With Aditti's creative mind and Himanshu's spectacular business sense, they created a brand that not only represented fashion but also the beauty of their unbreakable bond.

The story of IKI CHIC became an inspiration to many, a reminder that with friendship and love as the foundation, dreams can be turned into reality, one stitch at a time.

4) Uncut PR – A result of a decade-long friendship and a drive to reclaim media for sport in India

Uncut PR is the brainchild of two women who met while doing their Masters in Public Relations at Mumbai University in 2014. Even though the founders, Aditi Srivastava Dhanu and Roma Dutia had been a part of the industry and friends all through the years, Uncut PR came to fruition only in 2018 after gaining substantial experience fuelled by a shared interest in sports.

Aditi gained a massive foothold into the sports industry during her stint working in PR for Vijender Singh, Mary Kom and other notable athletes while Roma worked in the music PR industry for a bit before they both realised that there is a substantial gap in the market that they would be able to fill with their combined expertise by starting a specialised sports PR agency.

Even though there are other agencies that cater to the sporting industry, there is a very limited number that specialises only in sports PR.

Uncut PR carved out a niche for itself and has been successful in putting its foot in the door and it was not long before it was associated with the big sporting leagues, federations and individual athletes continuing to grow at a steady pace in a male dominated framework.

Maintaining a position in a fast moving industry as a growing agency and balancing that with a personal friendship is something that the founders are consciously aware of and understand their roles to ensure that the eye is never off the common goal that started Uncut PR in the first place.

As long as the intention does not waiver, Aditi and Roma are testament to the fact that friends can get into business together and make it a success. 

Uncut PR’s goal is simple, to give athletes and lesser known sports their due and their commitment to this goal reflects in their clientele that includes India Rugby, Professional Golf Tour of India, India Taekwondo along with the work that they do in Cricket at large with some of the biggest names like Kapil Dev, Brett Lee, Jonty Rhodes to name a few.

Recognizing the disparity in the media towards others sports only drives the agency to work even harder to tell stories and strive towards increasing awareness in all that they do.

5)   STEMROBO Technologies - A Journey of Friendship, Innovation, and Empowering K-12 Education

In 2015, two colleagues with a shared passion for education and technology decided to embark on a remarkable journey together.

Anurag Gupta, the CEO, and Rajeev Tiwari, the Co-founder, both worked for a leading Technology and Electronics firm before they set out to revolutionize the landscape of K-12 education through STEMROBO Technologies.

Their friendship, expertise, and mutual goal of empowering students through upgraded technology would prove to be a catalyst for thousands of young learners seeking innovative ways to learn. 

Their first meeting dates back to 2009 when they were working in cubicles, dreaming of starting their own venture in the field of Ed-tech. Rajeev's expertise lay in Technology and Finance, while Anurag was driven by a burning desire to integrate Technology and Education.

With 20 years of experience in their respective domains, they were determined to bring a real change to K-12 education by promoting STEM, STEAM, Robotics, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts.

Recognizing the lack of technical education among students and foreseeing the future potential of STEM and Robotics, they began conducting outreach programs in colleges, schools, and webinars.

Their interactions with students confirmed their belief that every child deserves access to quality STEM and Robotic education. Witnessing the gap in the market and the untapped potential of India's youth, Anurag and Rajeev decided to establish STEMROBO Technologies with a "Make in India" vision.

Their vision was to ignite young minds with the power of technology and innovation, offering them opportunities to learn and grow in ways they had never experienced before.

Their idea was not just to impart knowledge but also to instil a passion for learning, nurturing young inventors and thinkers of tomorrow.

Their journey was not without challenges, but their friendship and shared vision served as the bedrock of their success. Together, they navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, staying true to their mission of making quality STEM education accessible to every corner of the country.

STEMROBO Technologies' impact on the education landscape was profound. Thousands of students, previously devoid of technical exposure, were now eagerly participating in STEM and Robotics programs.

Schools and colleges embraced the interactive learning modules, recognizing the immense value they added to their curriculum.

In conclusion, the inspiring journey of Anurag Gupta and Rajeev Tiwari, co-founders of STEMROBO Technologies, showcases the power of friendship, shared vision, and the determination to create a positive change.

Through their relentless efforts, they have paved the way for thousands of students to embrace STEM education, ensuring that the innovators and inventors of tomorrow are well-equipped to shape a brighter future for society.

As their story continues to unfold, it serves as an inspiration for all those who dream of making a difference and leaving an indelible mark on the world of education.

 6) Entropik- How Three Friends Transformed Emotion AI and Redefined Digital Experiences

In the bustling metropolis of Bangalore, a city known for its innovative spirit, three friends came together, laying the foundation for a groundbreaking venture.

Ranjan Kumar, the Founder and CEO of Entropik, reminisced about the journey that led them to the inception of their firm, which would change the landscape of emotional experiences in the digital world forever.

The year was 2016. Ranjan, armed with a degree in soft computing and a passion for AI, had already embarked on his entrepreneurial odyssey. His initial venture, oyeparty.com, had taught him valuable lessons, urging him to seek a unique differentiator from the very start. A driving force behind Entropik's birth was the realization that solving this differentiator early on was paramount.

 Having dabbled in consumer internet and fintech industries, Ranjan sought to create an IP-led product organization that fused AI with the power of emotions. Bharat, the Engineering Head who had been with Ranjan since

oyeparty.com, was an obvious choice for the venture. Together, they had navigated the challenges of building a company before, and now they were ready to embark on an even more ambitious journey.

Lava Kumar, the co-founder and CTO, was a perfect match for their aspirations. His background in shaping Product and having seen the scale up Lifecycle, he had deep insights into the art of scaling businesses.

Having connected through a common friend, the trio shared their ideas and visions and realized that they complemented each other seamlessly.

Entropik's goal was simple yet grand - to enhance digital experiences by infusing them with Emotion AI.

In a world that was rapidly turning digital, they envisioned a future where businesses and customers could connect on a deep emotional level, even from afar, bridging the gap between them on a profound emotional level.

Their belief that emotions played a pivotal role in customer experience set them apart. While traditional approaches focused on the conscious 5% of customer experience, Entropik sought to tackle the elusive 95% of subconscious emotions.

Lava’s expertise in Product craftsmanship and Martech combined with Ranjan’s and Bharat’s skills in applying AI to real business contexts provided the perfect synergy.

As they huddled together in their Bangalore office, fueled by passion and determination, they devised innovative ways to decode emotions and understand user experiences better.

The Emotion AI technology they built began to find applications in various sectors, from understanding consumer behavior to gauging employee engagement.

Word of Entropik's revolutionary concept spread like wildfire, attracting the attention of investors and clients alike. Their pioneering AI solutions rapidly gained traction, earning them a reputation as game-changers in the consumer and user research industry.

The trio's relentless pursuit of excellence has had a profound impact on businesses worldwide. Companies embraced Entropik's solutions as the once-invisible emotional aspect of digital interactions was now quantifiable and actionable.

From their humble beginnings in 2016, Ranjan Kumar, Lava Kumar, and Bharat Shekhawat have transformed Entropik into a globally renowned human insights company, leaving an indelible mark on the digital landscape.

Their relentless vision to make the digital world more empathetic and emotionally profound has not only shaped their success but also the future of market research. As Entropik continues to grow and expand, the world can look forward to an era where technology speaks not just with intelligence, but also with empathy.