Mukul Agrawal’s journey is unordinary; it is a story of resilience, adaptability, and a pursuit of passion in finance. Mukul was raised in a traditional Marwari family with strong entrepreneurial roots, which made it seem like his life was meant for medicine. But a fascination with the financial markets drove him, and he dramatically switched from aspiring surgeon to successful stock market investor.
In this startupTalky article, we learn more about Mukul Agrawal’s early struggles, career evolution, strategic investment philosophies, and role in India’s financial landscape.
Mukul Agrawal – Biography
Full Name
Mukul Agrawal
Birthplace
Rajasthan
Born
1981
Wife
Asha Mukul Agrawal
Education
Mumbai University, Harvard Business School
Profession
Chairman Param Capital, Investor/Trader, Founder & Trustee Plaksha University
Mukul Agrawal’s life combined cultural expectations, ambition, and an obsession with fulfilling dreams. He was brought up in a typical Marwari family, where the values of entrepreneurship and business acumen surrounded him.
Mukul felt a huge obligation to follow in the family’s footsteps and go into the corporate world. His father expected him to run a family business or begin his own, which was in keeping with the Marwari tradition of financial independence running deep in his family.
Mukul’s entry into trading was tricky without any formal financial education. He did the tackle, but he head-on tackled them and spent countless hours training under experienced brokers in Mumbai. Mukul, however, made it through with his resilience, adaptability and perseverance. It was a tough transition from the structured world of medicine to the chaotic world of trading.
Mukul Agrawal – Career
Agarwal’s journey from a booming stock market man to a successful stock market man is quite interesting; it’s a journey of unexpected career changes, resilience, and passion for learning. Mukul was on a very different trajectory in life when he initially wanted to be a doctor. However, he was from a traditional Marwari family where every member would generally start a businesses.
His family was into commodity markets with turmeric and chilli peppers, which is how the spice trade introduced him to the world of finance. Through platforms such as NCDEX, Mukul first tasted how commodity prices moved and became interested in financial markets.
Mukul started to understand the financial trading dynamics as he helped manage his family’s business, and he began to realise that this world, with its need to make quick decisions and precision, really spoke to him.
Becoming a stock trader after wanting to be a doctor was not easy. Mukul had to give up his medical career and faced many strong emotions. However, he found that both medicine and trading required similar skills—paying attention to detail, making quick decisions, and being disciplined. Mukul doesn’t have a formal education in finance, but he has started learning from the brokers experienced in Mumbai, the financial hub of India.
In the early stages of his career, Mukul primarily focused on commodity trading, emphasising agricultural markets. Due to his deep involvement in practical trading and market analysis, he had a very strong feel for the forces that affect price movements. But Mukul soon realised that there was a huge difference between trading commodities and trading stock markets. You needed to take a different approach, combining short-term trading skills and long-term investment strategies.
Mukul has always emphasised flexibility, learning, and risk management throughout his career. As a trader, he had witnessed firsthand what the impact of market manipulation and price volatility can do, especially in volatile sectors, such as turmeric and bullion. The market’s erratic movements were something he saw firsthand, and how they could devastate traders who didn’t have foresight and sound decision-making.
Mukul’s realisation of the importance of separating trading and investing led to a major turning point in his career. He began to advocate for different strategies for each. He invested in the long term and traded the short term, fast and informed. Over time, he learned to watch macroeconomic trends and government policies and advised traders to adopt diversified portfolios and manage risks.
Mukul’s passion for learning and desire to share what he learns with others led him to build a reputation in the financial industry. He was the head of a broking company, and he walked future traders through the intricacies of the stock market to understand the difference between speculative trading and investing in the long haul. He contributed with his insights as a respected market trends, risk management and diversification figure.
Today, Mukul Agarwal is known for his financial success and ability to adapt to the changing stock market. His journey reminds us of perseverance, lifelong learning, and making good and informed decisions. Mukul’s story inspires others to enter financial markets with caution, knowledge, and a clear understanding of their financial goals.
Mukul Agrawal – Param Capital
Mukul is a major stock market player with an estimated net worth of INR 3,824.4 crore. His portfolio is filled with investments in more than 56 firms, showing his ability to spot money-making ventures. Besides his financial success, Mukul is famous for his association with industry organisations. He is a part of prominent exchanges like the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and therefore, his influence in the financial market is amplified.
Always an investor with a strategy rooted in identifying companies with the potential for exponential growth, Mukul has invested in companies that have been able to serve the needs of the masses. A perfect example of this approach is his investment in Siyaram Recycling Industries. The stock hit a lifetime high of INR 168 after the company announced securing a INR 5 crore order from a Dubai-based company.
This is just a string of good things that have helped propel the stock 20% higher in a couple of trading sessions. The company’s strategic decisions, such as the recent share issuance, are also linked to its growth trajectory, where Agrawal’s company Param Capital bought over 2 million shares. That shows his dedication to the company and belief in its long-term potential. Siyaram Recycling Industries is well situated to advance its industry with Mukul’s guidance, which focuses on recycling and brass billet production.
Apart from his association with Siyaram Recycling, Mukul Agrawal is a big investor in more than 50 stocks, and his total net worth is over INR 6,347 crore. He has invested in high-profile companies like Raymond Lifestyle, Hind Rectifiers, Lux Industries, etc. Agrawal has consistently spotted promising investment ideas and made them successful ventures.
Mukul’s years in the financial sector have provided him with the business acumen and investment philosophy that have defined his approach to doing business. Under his leadership, Param Capital has evolved into a significant stock market player and, with Mukul’s sharp insights and strategic vision, continues to be a thriving business. His deep knowledge of the financial markets.
Mukul Agrawal – Personal Life
Mukul Agrawal is not just a name in the Indian stock market; he is also known for his personal life. Mukul is a man who had a very successful professional life and a successful personal one, married to Asha Mukul Agrawal, who is also doing very well in the financial sector.
Agrawal’s business success is tied up with his personal life. He is from a family with a very good understanding of financial markets, and his marriage to Asha has only increased their joint accomplishments in the financial space. They are a power couple in the investment industry. Asha’s recent property acquisition in Mumbai, which includes three luxury apartments for INR 263 crore, only adds to her and Mukul’s high life.
Mukul, who has been in the limelight for his wealth, lives a private life that is largely unobscured. It’s clear that his personal and professional lives are intertwined, with a pronounced focus on business, investment, and family.
Mukul has contributed to shaping the landscape of capital market trading and investment in India through Param Capital. A family-oriented person with a strong career, he has had a great journey of success, perseverance, and strategic investment.
Mukul Agrawal – Investments
One such prominent investor is Mukul Agrawal, who has created a diverse portfolio with stocks across different sectors and has shown his capability to invest in high-growth opportunities. Here’s a snapshot of his key investments:
Winner of the Young Achiever Award for best stock market training in 2021
Mukul set a Guinness World Record for organising the largest-ever Financial Investment Conclave, attended by 1,806 people.
Mukul Agrawal – Interesting facts
Top Holding: Mukul Agarwal’s top holding is Radico Khaitan Ltd, of which he holds 14,00,083 shares (1.05%). This midcap IMFL company gained 2.6% from October 17 to October 23, rising from INR 1095.05 to INR 1123.05. It was added to his portfolio in the September quarter.
New Entry—PDS Multinational Fashions: Mukul made a fresh entry into PDS Multinational Fashions with a INR 99 crore investment in 7,16,000 shares (2.75% stake). The company is a leading player in consumer goods design, product development, sourcing, virtual manufacturing, and distribution.
Paras Defence and Space Technology: Paras Defence and Space Technology has another standout holding, with Mukul holding a 2.32 % stake (904,286 shares). The stock jumped by an astronomical 132 % from its listing price of INR 475 and 529 % from the IPO price of INR 175.
At its FAST FORWARD India ’25 Product and Technology exhibition, EV manufacturer Ultraviolette unveiled its latest motorcycle model, Shockwave, along with Tesseract, the first scooter in its lineup. Among its other features, the Tesseract has a range of 261 kilometres, an acceleration time of 2.9 seconds from 0 to 60 miles per hour, and a top speed of 125 kmph. It was first offered for INR 1.45 lakh, with the first 10,000 buyers receiving it for INR 1.2 lakh. In addition, the scooter has Omnisense mirrors, an integrated radar and dashcam, and safety features like lane change, blind spot identification, overtaking assistance, and real-time collision alerts. According to the manufacturer, it also has dynamic regen and traction control for increased safety and energy efficiency.
Shockwave Motorcycle
Shockwave is a motorcycle with a top speed of 120 kmph and a range of 165 km. It weighs 120 kg and has a rear wheel torque of 505 Nm. In 2.9 seconds, the bike can go from 0 to 60. Shockwave has a launch price of INR 1.75 lakh, and the first 1,000 clients can purchase it for roughly INR 1.5 lakh. For both vehicles, prebooking has already started. According to Ultraviolette’s CEO and co-founder, Narayan Subramaniam, the company’s top-down strategy has allowed it to leverage the fundamental technology it has created over the previous seven years. With its distinctive appearance, segment-defining features, and category-leading performance, the brand’s revolutionary scooter and lightweight motorbike platform promises an unmatched riding experience. Ultraviolette is happy to showcase this portfolio on a national and international level, emphasising technical brilliance, indigenous technological acumen, and Indian research and development. Deliveries of both the vehicles will begin from first quarter of 2026.
India’s EV Vehicle Sector
In 2025, it is anticipated that the number of electric vehicle (EV) debuts in India will surpass that of petrol and diesel automobile launches. Of the 28 scheduled car releases, 18 are electric. Compared to the four to five EV models that were introduced yearly over the previous two years, this is a substantial increase. Additionally, it outpaces the 11 and 15 total vehicle debuts (including models with internal combustion engines and electric vehicles) in 2023 and 2024, respectively. It is anticipated that the auto industry will rise due to zero-emission vehicles, which will account for more than half of the increase in sales.
This year, analysts predict that 200,000 more passenger vehicles will be sold thanks to EVs. According to a media report, this will increase the proportion of EV sales to 4% of all car sales by the end of 2025. By 2030, the market for electric vehicles is anticipated to reach 932,000 units, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43%. It is anticipated that electric SUVs will account for 61% of this demand. In contrast, only 107,000 EVs were sold in 2024, compared to almost 4.3 million cars—including sedans and SUVs—sold throughout India.
For its impending initial public offering (IPO), NoPaperForms has hired two investment bankers. The company offers SaaS-based enrolment automation solutions under the Meritto name, has hired two investment bankers. According to a media report, which cited people familiar with the situation, the Naveen Goyal-led business has chosen IIFL Capital and SBI Capital for its initial public offering (IPO), which is anticipated to cost between INR 500 Cr and INR 600 Cr. By the end of this year, the Gurugram-based business intends to launch on the stock market. According to the report, the company is looking for a valuation of INR 2,000 Cr and may submit draft IPO papers in the upcoming months. In the midst of the IPO preparations, Info Edge, the company’s current investor, is unlikely to sell its shares in the business.
How NoPaperForms Operate?
NoPaperForms was established in 2017 by Goyal and Suraj Sapra to assist edtech companies in streamlining their student enrolment and money-collecting processes. Meritto and Collexo are the company’s two main products. Organisations can access solutions related to the recruitment and enrolment of students under Meritto. Enrolment cloud, education CRM, application and post-application process management, including group discussions and in-person interviews, fee collecting, and a live chat platform are just a few of the services provided by this product arm. Conversely, Collexo provides finance and payment solutions for the education industry. Among the services it provides are automated fee collection, student EMI options, automatic fee deduction on due dates, and more.
More than 1200 academic institutions, including Manipal University, Shiv Nadar University, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, and PhysicsWallah, are reportedly served by NoPaperForms. Notably, the business last year extended its offerings in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.
Roller-Coaster Ride for India’s Edtech Sector
In recent years, there have been challenges in India’s edtech industry. BYJU’s is a well-known illustration of how offline institutions dominate the education market and how startups are fighting for survival. A bright spot for the edtech sector, however, is PhysicsWallah, which plans to go public by the end of 2025. The edtech giant transformed into a public company in December of last year in anticipation of its $400–$500 million initial public offering. Additionally, the business has chosen investment bankers to oversee its public offering.
Indian startups Opting For IPO
According to a survey by venture debt firm InnoVen Capital, despite global obstacles, a number of high-quality startup companies are expected to go public in 2025, and the funding environment is also expected to improve this year. Additionally, it stated that 47% of the 100 startup entrepreneurs who took part in the study anticipate hiring to pick up speed this year. According to the India Startup Outlook Report, 63% of people who tried to raise money in 2024 had a positive experience. Seventy-nine percent of founders believe that by 2025, the fundraising climate will improve. According to the report, 73% of startup founders now choose domestic initial public offerings (IPOs) as their preferred exit strategy, up from 64% in 2023. According to the report, 28% of respondents think AI would significantly affect their business models over the next two to three years, mainly in the fintech and enterprise sectors, given the speed at which AI capabilities are developing. Hiring is also anticipated to increase in 2025.
The investment game has always been a male-dominated arena across the world. However, over time the market is seeing more and more confident women coming into the area of investment. The case has not been different in India either. Even during the pandemic, India saw an increasing number of women coming into investing especially because of the monetary benefits it entails and the idea of financial independence.
Even though the numbers and popularity are very low, there is absolutely no doubt in the fact that it is a good start. This article will introduce the readers to some of the top women investors in India who have made a significant mark through their wise investments. The time when women were pretty hesitant towards the game of investment is long gone now. Women are more inclined to make strategic investments for earning profits and developing financial security for themselves. Nowadays, more and more women investors are emerging in the Indian market. Some of the most popular women investors in India are:
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A veteran investment strategist, she has been one of the forerunners of the Jagran Group since 2011. She has a Master’s degree in Economics from Northeastern University, a PhD in Economics from IIT Kanpur, and a postgraduate diploma in business studies from Harvard University.
She is also the Chief Investment Officer at Anikarth Ventures, an angel investing firm. Some other positions she holds include being a National Head for FICCI FLO Startups, which focuses on women investors, to an independent director for Jindal Stainless Steel.
Aarti also leverages her investment strategy to contribute to several boards of startups and family-owned businesses. She is also a champion for women’s financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and readiness for jobs.
Anisha Singh
Anisha Singh – Women Investors in India
Anisha is the founder of the women-focused VC firm ‘She Capital’ in 2020 to help encourage more women founders to enter the Indian startup ecosystem. Some of the companies associated with VC are BrainSight AI, Samosa Singh, Clovia, Elev8 India Sportz, Spark Studio, and Nova Nova.
She also founded the eCommerce platform MyDala and started the B2B startup Kinis Software. She is passionate about women’s empowerment and supporting women-focused startups.
The founder and chairperson of the climate-focused venture capital firm Avaana Capital, Anjali is heavily active in Indian startups. Avaana has funded agritech platform FarMart, electric mobility startup Kazam, and HR tech unicorn Darwinbox.
Her firm has also closed its early-stage funding called Avaana Climate and Sustainability Fund at $135M in 2024. Anjali has also invested in multiple startups such as Nykaa, Delhivery, and Urban Company. She is also in multiple Indian brands such as Nestle India, Tata Power, and Piramal Enterprises.
Anjali Sosale
Anjali Sosale – Women Investors in India
Anjali Sosale is a partner at Waterbridge Ventures and plays an important role in shaping the success of early tech companies for the VC firm. She wants to support the next wave of rural Indian internet users by focusing on consumer tech, marketplaces, and eCommerce.
Anjali is also active in multiple startups like BitClass, BigFatPhoenix, Yellow Metal, and EloElo. Previously, Anjali was a senior director at Jabong and oversaw the brand-accelerating program at Myntra.
Archana Jahagirdar
Archana Jahagirdar – Women Investors in India
Archana is the founder and managing partner of Rukam Capital. She is one of the few women general partners in Venture Capital but not only in India but across the globe.
She has invested in over 18 startups in areas such as Go Desi, Sleepy Owl, Curefoods, BECO, Pilgrim, Yoho, and more. She has been nominated to the National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC) because of her contributions to the startup landscape.
Previously, she headed brands like Espace Corporate, Textron, and Angelworks and even worked as a journalist with major brands like The Times of India and Business Standard.
Debjani Ghosh
Debjani Ghosh – Women Investors in India
Debjani is the president of NASSCOM, the industry representing IT-BPM space. She has an experience of over 3 decades and has also worked with Yes Bank and Intel Corporation. With an MBA from S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, she is also on Cisco’s Indian Advisory Board and an advisor to the FICCI S&T/Innovation Committee.
Ishani Chanana
Ishani Chanana – Women Investors in India
Ishani is a partner of investments at Sarcha Advisors and manages family office investments and shapes capital allocation strategies across multiple spectrums such as debt, equity, and other investment options.
She has invested in over 60 startups such as Josh Talks, The New Shop, BluSmart, STAGEm Prescinto, TrulyMadly, and more, to the extent that she is considered an entrepreneur talent nurturer. Additionally, she is also an angel investor and has stakes in startups such as BatX Energies, JumpingMinds, Newmi, Yatrikart, and Jobsgaar.
Kanika Mayar
Kanika Mayar – Women Investors in India
Kanika is a partner of Vertex Ventures that infuses money into Series B-stage startups across Southeast Asia and India.
Some companies she has invested in are Patsnap, Garb, FirstCry, Nium, 17Live, Validus, AsianParent, and Warung Pintar. So far, she has taken part in four startups – Proactive for Her, Chatty Bao, Karkhana.io and Onato. She has worked with multiple brands such as Ernst & Young, IFC, Goldman Sachs, and TechnoServe.
Namita Thapar
Namita Thapar – Women Investors in India
Namita is the executive director of India Business for Emcure, a pharma company. She rose to fame after joining the TV show ‘Shark Tank India’ as an investor. So far she has invested in over 80 startups such as Perfora, SUGAR Cosmetics, Snitch, Sahayatha, Janitri, and more.
This Bengaluru-based angel investor is indeed an inspiration to all aspiring women investors in the country. Ankita is the founder and CEO of Saha Fund which she started with Usha Amin. She is also the founder and Managing Director of StrongHer. Her VC firm StrongHer ventures is conquering milestone after milestone in funding startups of different industries like fintech, consumer, health care and so on.
Recently, under her leadership, the firm floated $100 million dollar specifically for women-funded startups. They aspire to be a billion-dollar venture fund platform that would be the largest of its kind for women globally. While it caters to women entrepreneurs in India and US, they are soon going to expand its base across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa.
Vani Kola
Vani Kola – Women Investors in India
She is a venture capitalist from Hyderabad. Vani is the founder of an early Indian Venture Capitalist firm called Kalaari Capital. After finishing her engineering in India, she went to the United States of America to pursue her successful career as an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. When she came back to India in 2006, she observed the growing opportunity in the realm of investments.
Vaani Kola, along with Vinod Dham founded Indo-US Venture Partners in 2006. It was through New Enterprise Associates that she had her first Indian undertaking in the year 2012. They later rebranded it as Kalaari Capital. At Kalaari, she promotes budding founders to develop useful products and solutions. She has made investments in startups like Zivame, Myntra, Curefit, Active, Apps Daily, Dream 11 etc.
Padmaja Ruparel
Padmaja Ruparel – Women Investors in India
She is the co-founder and the president of the Indian Angel Network which has transformed into a global institution under her leadership. Today, IAN has made investments in over 10 countries with more than 400 investors. It is one of the largest seed and early-stage investing platforms in India. Today, the market value of all the companies bred by IAN will add up to four billion US dollars. Through IAN, she has made very diverse and dynamic investments in fields ranging from, finance, agriculture, SAAS, and D2C to the space sector, manufacturing technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
She is determined to improve the startup ecosystem in India. She was recognised as the “Most Powerful Woman” by Fortune India for four years. The Women Economic Forum has also acknowledged her contribution by awarding her their “Women of the Decade in Investment Banking” award.
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With a formidable reputation in the realm of investments, Bharati Jacob is a popular name in the field. Her commendable experience in venture investing and finance marketing, which is on the run after completing 2 decades, shapes her vision which makes her one of the most efficient female investors in the country.
She is the co-founder and also the managing partner at Seedfund advisors which is a venture capitalist firm, based in Bengaluru. She started her investment venture in 2000. Today, her firm provides stark support to newcomers by helping them hold their ground. Additionally, the company helps them with networking as well. She has made investments in companies like Vaatsalya, Redbus, Sportskeeda, Edusports, Axisrooms etc.
Being one of the first female venture capitalists in India, she has an experience of over 30 years in the market. She is the founder of Kae Capital, which is a venture capitalist firm that primarily focuses on early-stage companies that bring in efficient and relevant solutions to the existing problems in the market.
Apart from that, the company also helps startups with their operational, strategic and financial issues. At Kae Capital, she is the director of Finances and legal matters. She is also an active angel investor with investments in various fast-growing startups like InMobi, Innovcare, Squadron and iGenetics.
Sakshi Chopra
Sakshi Chopra – Women Investors in India
She is the Managing Director at Sequoia Capital. She has launched a new programme at Sequoia wherein she will select 15 women founders and grant them a no-strings-attached sum of $100,000 along with a mentorship program and network expertise that lasts a year. Based in Mumbai, her primary areas of investment are Consumer Products and Services which has led her to invest in startups like Ladies Who Lead and Purple.
Bala Deshpande
Bala Deshpande – Women Investors in India
Another prominent women investor in India is Bala Deshpande. At present, she heads the India operation for NEA (New Enterprise Associates), the US-based investing firm as its Senior Managing Director. She is an alumna of the University of Mumbai, where she completed her post-graduate degree in Economics. Bala has also got a master’s degree in Management Studies from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.
She has great private equity experience where she has seen young companies nurturing, buybacks, capital market divestments, and more. Her investment portfolio includes names like Air Works, Panacea Medical, MediSys, Naaptol, Nova, GreytHR and Intelligence Node.
It is a fact that gender disparity exists when it comes to women investors in India. A study by an online wealth management platform revealed that only one out of five investors in India are women. A lack of awareness, expertise and access to relevant tools can be the reason why women fall back into this realm. However, the shining examples of the above-mentioned women investors from India are a great inspiration to all the women out there who would like to try their hand at investment.
FAQs
Who are the largest investors of FDI in India?
The largest investors of FDI in India are Singapore with an equity inflow of 27%, followed by the USA with 21% and Mauritius with 16% equity inflows in FY22.
Who is the youngest stock trader?
Lauren Simmons is the youngest stock trader. She did a crash course on the financial world and became a full-time stock trader at the mere age of 22 years at the New York Stock Exchange.
How many women invest in mutual funds in India?
There are 5.9 million women investors having 14 million folios and assets, as per the ‘Women Power in Mutual Funds’ report released by RTA (Registrar and Transfer Agent).
Who are women investors in India?
Some of the most popular women investors in India are:
Satellite internet may be available in Indian skies as early as June. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is finalising a series of recommendations regarding the cost and usage of satellite communications that have been in the works for almost two years. The introduction of a framework and the distribution of spectrum will pave the way for Elon Musk’s Starlink, Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Bharti Airtel, and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio Infocomm to launch satellite internet services. Several media outlets have reported that the suggestions are almost complete. Because the proposals will include information on the revenue-sharing model of satcom services, the pricing and allocation of spectrum, and other relevant regulations, the regulator is taking its time.
TRAI wants to swiftly submit the pricing and operational framework to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for approval with minimal opposition after it is released. TRAI may present its proposals in March, and the Digital Communications Commission is expected to adopt them with minimal modification following a brief consultation period. This will organise the auction procedure, which, including operator final testing, should take no more than two to three months. Satellite service providers should begin making money by June as well.
Why India’s Satcom Battle is Getting Intense?
Satcom uses satellites that link to a ground-based receiver that can provide data to gadgets like computers and cell phones. Between 2020 and 2022, India’s space industry was liberalised to grant access to satellite infrastructure and spectrum. Reliance Jio was persuaded to enter into a cooperative venture with Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES in February 2022 by the prospect of these services. A month prior, Bharti Airtel and Hughes Communications India, its joint venture partner, had inked a distribution agreement with OneWeb in the United Kingdom. OneWeb was purchased by Eutelsat of France in September 2023. Because it owned all of OneWeb’s India division, Airtel continued to be the largest shareholder of the newly established company after the purchase was completed. The third major rival in this market is Musk’s satellite internet services company, Starlink. Due to the Centre’s regulations, preorders were halted even though the service had briefly begun to receive security deposits from clients in preparation for a launch. Starlink has not yet received its Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence.
Pricing is the Key
At a press conference held during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 3, Union telecoms minister Jyotiraditya Scindia declared that all satcom operators “will be treated equally” and that no one will receive preferential treatment. Analysts and industry participants anticipate the implementation of satcom services to occur soon as well, but they stress that cost is a crucial consideration. While the Telecommunications Act guarantees administrative allocation, which should result in the TRAI framework being implemented shortly, T.V. Ramachandran, president of the Broadband India Forum, stated that nominal pricing is necessary to guarantee access to the greatest number of users who would otherwise remain unconnected. An executive of the Airtel-OneWeb partnership reportedly told the media that Bharti Airtel has been prepared with its services, to the point where it can launch its operations in a very short amount of time. While the company’s satellite constellation and network are operational for enterprise use, regulatory uncertainty has only been impeding the sector.
An antitrust action against Microsoft for including its antivirus software with the Windows 10 operating system (OS) has been dropped by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). According to the regulator, there is no proof that Microsoft has imposed any limitations or requirements on customers’ usage of the antivirus program Microsoft Defender. According to the ruling, customers are allowed to install and utilise whatever third-party antivirus software they like, free from contractual or technical restrictions. The Commission does not believe that Microsoft has violated any of the provisions of section 4 of the Competition Act. Section 4 of the Act forbids companies from abusing their position as the market leader.
What Filed Complaint States?
When Microsoft debuted its Windows 10 operating system in 2015, the informant claimed in a complaint against the company that Microsoft Defender was pre-installed. According to the complaint, third-party developers may have their software pre-installed through agreements, but not pre-activated, because Windows devices are only permitted to have one default antivirus app. For an antivirus program to function, including to carry out automated background system scans—a key characteristic that sets antivirus software apart—it must be set as the default. It went on to say that the default antivirus program has access to crucial functions like automatic updates, real-time protection, and on-demand scanning, but third-party apps without default status cannot. Because of their incapacity to perform at their best, third-party antivirus programs may find it difficult to compete and may eventually be removed from devices.
Response from Microsoft
Microsoft defended itself by claiming that Microsoft Defender is a fundamental security component built into the Windows OS that offers real-time protection rather than a stand-alone offering. Microsoft underlined that Defender comes pre-installed on Windows OS and is not advertised or sold separately, so consumers do not have to pay more for it. Furthermore, Microsoft asserted that it does not hold a dominating position in the relevant market and that there is no compelling element requiring Windows customers to use Microsoft Defender as their only or primary antivirus program.
Who is CCI?
In India, the CCI serves as the competition watchdog. Although the Commission was created in 2003, it wasn’t until 2009 that it was completely operational. By actively engaging with all stakeholders, the government, and international jurisdiction, it seeks to create a competitive environment in the Indian economy. Preventing anti-competitive behaviour, fostering and maintaining market competition, safeguarding consumer interests, and promoting freedom of trade are the goals of the Commission.
On February 4, the packaged goods business Adani Wilmar Ltd. agreed to acquire G.D. Foods Manufacturing (India) Pvt. Ltd., a smaller competitor that produces Tops noodles and ketchup. According to a stock exchange filing by Adani Wilmar, the acquisition would be carried out in many phases, with 80% of the shares to be purchased in the first tranche at an enterprise value of INR 603 crore and the remaining 20% to be purchased over the following three years. The Adani Group had amassed a $1 billion war fund for acquisitions to expand the conglomerate’s food and packaged goods division, according to a September media report.
The Tops brand, owned by G.D. Foods, was established in 1984 and offers a variety of products, including tomato sauce, snack sauce, speciality and culinary sauces, pickles, jams, noodles, instant mixes, corn and chocolate flakes, and cooking supplies like vinegar, baking powder, cake mix, and corn flour. With more than 150,000 retail locations and its headquarters in Delhi, the corporation primarily sells in seven North Indian states.
Specifics of the Acquisition Deal
G.D. Foods made INR 386 crore in revenue and INR 32 crore in EBITDA in 2023–2024. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation is known as EBITDA. The first tranche is anticipated to close in 60 days, and the acquisition is contingent upon fulfilling standard closing conditions. Either internal accruals or the revenues from a public listing will finance the deal. The agreement represents Adani Wilmar’s approach to meeting the changing demands of Indian homes. As the industry develops, reputable national food FMCG brands are clearly needed to provide high-quality, reasonably priced products that meet the basic requirements of Indian kitchens, according to Angshu Mallick, managing director and chief executive of Adani Wilmar. Adani Wilmar’s best-in-class manufacturing operations and wide distribution network are essential for achieving this.
About Adani Wilmar
The Adani Group of India and the Wilmar Group of Singapore have partnered to form Adani Wilmar. Edible oil, wheat flour, rice, legumes, besan, and sugar are among the kitchen necessities that the company sells. It markets its goods under the Fortune and Kohinoor labels. Mallick went on to say that the business will make additional investments in the brand and greatly expand the reach of all of its products’ distribution. The margin-accretive goods will be a major addition to Adani Wilmar’s portfolio as a result of this acquisition. The company’s 2023–24 sales were INR 51,262 crore; during the same period, its profit decreased from INR 582 crore to INR 148 crore. In the market for packaged goods, Adani Wilmar has competition from businesses like Marico Ltd., ITC Ltd., and Tata Consumer Products Ltd.
Tata Motors has begun testing hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks for the first time. This development is aligned with India’s goal of having net-zero emissions by 2070. The Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, and the Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, officially launched this historic trial, which is a major step towards sustainable long-distance cargo transportation. Tata Motors demonstrates its dedication to spearheading sustainable transportation solutions through this groundbreaking project, which is in line with India’s larger green energy objectives. It won the contract for this trial, which is supported by the National Green Hydrogen Mission of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. It represents a major advancement in determining the practical and profitable feasibility of employing vehicles powered by hydrogen for long-distance transportation and in establishing the necessary supporting infrastructure to ensure their smooth functioning.
The Trial Phase
During the testing period, which might last up to 24 months, 16 sophisticated hydrogen-powered vehicles with different payload capacities and configurations will be deployed. The most well-known freight routes in India, such as those in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur, and Kalinganagar, will be used to test these vehicles, which are outfitted with cutting-edge hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2-ICE) and fuel cell (H2-FCEV) technologies. “Hydrogen is the fuel of the future with immense potential to transform India’s transport sector by reducing emissions and enhancing energy self-reliance,” stated Nitin Gadkari as he kicked off the trial. Initiatives like this will hasten the heavy-duty trucking industry’s shift to sustainable mobility and bring us one step closer to a productive, low-carbon future. He commended Tata Motors for spearheading this important development in the direction of hydrogen-powered smart and environmentally friendly transportation.
Girish Wagh, Executive Director of Tata Motors, emphasised the company’s readiness and stated that it is a great honour to lead India’s transition to smarter, greener, and sustainable mobility. With a long history of fostering national development, the corporation has consistently embraced innovation to create mobility solutions that support India’s expansion and advancement. Tata Motors is pleased to carry on this tradition by leading the way in the switch to clean, emission-free energy for long-distance transportation with the launch of these hydrogen truck trials today.
The Technology Opted to Design these Trucks
The vehicles that have been flagged off demonstrate both hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technology, demonstrating Tata Motors’ all-encompassing approach to hydrogen mobility. This includes the Tata Prima H.28, a cutting-edge H2ICE vehicle, and two Tata Prima H.55S prime movers, one with an H2ICE engine and the other with an FCEV engine. These vehicles, which have a 300–500 km operating range, are designed for high-performance, economical, and environmentally friendly transportation. With the high-end Prima cabin and cutting-edge driver-assist safety systems, they raise the bar for trucking safety while improving driver comfort, lowering tiredness, and increasing productivity.
Today, there are tons of startups that have evolved in India in various industries and verticals. One such industry that has seen immense growth in the last decade is the Indian cosmetics industry. 8 years back, when e-commerce platforms were emerging in various sectors, people started to give importance to shopping for skincare and healthcare products online. There was a rise in the awareness of the skincare products and getting them was simple as they could be delivered at the consumers’ doorstep. This gave birth to one of the prominent brands of skincare industries, the online beauty retailer, Nykaa.
Nykaa is a brand that we have all heard of from different media and advertisement. Some of us would have heard it from our friends who have used it. After all, word of mouth is a good marketing method that is proving to be widely successful. Nykaa is one of the best beauty and personal care product brand. Nykaa has now gained an excellent customer base. Nykaa’s marketing strategy has been very successful for them. It has cosmetics, haircare, bath and body, skincare, luxury and other wellness products for men and women.
Nykaa works on an omnichannel model where they have established a strong presence online as well as have opened up more than 68 stores across the city. They work with more than 1500+ brands and have been successful in becoming one of the most prominent brands in India. Their reason for success and growth has been their effective and enthralling marketing strategies. The following are the Top Marketing Strategies used by Nykaa:
Nykaa was founded by Falguni Nayar, who was an investment banker. She along with her husband, Sanjay Nayar, invested $2 million in 2012 and controlled about 95% of the stakes. Being amazed by the variety of branded cosmetics that were available in the market, she turned to entrepreneurship at the age of 50.
The initial plan was to sell products directly from warehouses located in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Without using the store format, they were able to gain better margins with the products. The initial marketing was done online and through various social media platforms.
Within 5 years, the company was able to break even the initial investment. Major marketing initiatives included hosting the Femina beauty awards in 2015 and 2016. It gained Unicorn status in 2020.
Nykaa Marketing Mix
Marketing mix of Nykaa focuses on delivering high-quality beauty products, competitive pricing, and effective promotions to attract and retain customers. With a strong presence across multiple channels, Nykaa has become one of India’s leading beauty retailers, offering a blend of value and customer-centric strategies.
Product
Nykaa’s marketing strategy focuses a lot on product quality. They spend heavily on research and brand development to ensure they get the best products. This strong focus on quality has helped them gain trust from customers and industry experts.
Because of this, along with strong promotions, Nykaa has become one of India’s top beauty retailers. Their products are now available in over 1,000 stores across India, and they plan to expand globally soon.
Pricing
Cost-Based Pricing: Nykaa decides its prices based on how much it costs to make a product, adding a profit margin accordingly.
Value-Based Pricing: Since 2014, Nykaa has kept its prices competitive, which has helped them grow fast as customers love good deals. They also offer free shipping on orders over ₹500, attracting more buyers. Nykaa uses cost-effective sourcing methods to keep prices low so that customers can shop affordably.
Offers and Discounts
Nykaa provides seasonal discounts and special sales for online shoppers. Their Pink Friday Sale is the biggest event, offering huge discounts on many brands. This attracts more customers and boosts sales.
Promotion
Nykaa uses social media and TV ads to promote its brand. This has helped them connect with more people and keep their audience highly engaged.
With the situation here, the best way to market a product is to use the digital platforms. Even when you market it digitally, it is important to keep it perfect to be able to attract more audience. Social media interaction is extremely important to keep the customers proper and in a track. They knew the right way to get into the minds of the target audience and also to retain the customers. Their main target audience were the people who were students and professionals who do not have enough time to go to a physical shop and buy the required cosmetic.
Marketing Through YouTube Channel
Youtube is the media where people go to while away their time by watching videos. They have a segment known as “Nykaa TV” which was made by seeing the emergence and importance of the advertising market by the means of videography. Nykaa has a whopping 1.24 million subscribers on its YouTube channel. This channel on YouTube helps the viewers to know more about beauty and wellness products and their “how-to” videos also provide a lot of information on products related to this sector.
Nykaa’s YouTube channel has videos that help customers understand how each cosmetic is to be used. Also, some people do not know what product to use and which brand will suit them best. These videos help them identify what they need and buy them from Nykaa. They keep posting videos regularly to make sure the subscribers get useful information often.
Moreover they have celebrities and their stylists make short videos on make-up and skincare as well!
Influencer Marketing
This is also quite common with Nykaa’s marketing. Influencer marketing is usually used by Nykaa while launching a new product. Nykaa has the belief that it is easier to maintain customer loyalty when they are able to maintain a proper relationship with the influencer. Also, it can increase customer engagement.
Nykaa has always believed in collaborating with big names because collaborations have proven to be very successful for them. Be it the collaboration with Femina Beauty Awards or the recent collaborations with Katrina Kaif – Kaif with Kay beauty and Masaba – Masaba with Nykaa, all such collaborations help Nykaa to get popularity as well as target a wider audience.
Offers and coupon codes are the best ways to attract customers in a very short time. Nykaa has been offering many discounts and coupons to its customers on purchasing branded beauty and skincare products from their portal. This has been one of their very successful strategies in marketing their e-commerce business. They use various coupon codes and offer various discounts so that they attract a maximum number of customers on various occasions and festivals. This has proved to attract a lot of customers for them and they hence have a good sale during the offer periods.
Content Marketing Strategy
Nykaa’s digital marketing strategy leverages social media, influencer partnerships, content marketing, and targeted online ads to engage and connect with its audience, driving brand awareness and sales. Nykaa’s digital marketing strategy is yet another awesome marketing strategy of Nykaa that has proved to be successful. Generally, the challenge in content marketing is that most people don’t see or read it unless it is extremely interesting. To make it a point to attract new customers and retain old customers, the content team has to make the content very creative. They have a team of young and enthusiastic professionals for creating the best possible content. They make sure the content in all the platforms like websites, blogs, other articles, tutorials are all made in a very creative and understandable way.
Nykaa believes that by showing high-end content on their website, app and social media handles they can showcase global trends by which they can establish their own brand name. It is often said that content is king and is highly consumed by people; hence they have established a qualified team for its content strategy. Nykaa has very appealing social media portals and websites because that is how they keep their users engaged by providing interesting content. They have active blogs where users can get expert advice from professionals on beauty and wellness as well as can get many tips on makeup.
Nykaa also uses SEO strategy in its contents to rank higher. When people need something, they search for it on the search engine before reaching out to the website or YouTube. It is hence important to make sure that the page, blog, or post from Nykaa’s website contains the perfect keywords. They keep in mind the trend in the industry and update themselves according to them. They are perfect at optimizing their content according to the latest trends and keywords. Their blogs and products show up at the top of the search engine.
Social Media Marketing Strategy
Social media platforms used by Nykaa for marketing
Today, the world is running on social media. Everyone has an account on almost all the social media pages. Instagram and Facebook are widely used to display advertisement. Nykaa’s social media marketing is also excellent. Instagram page of Nykaa has a lot of new followers each day and the same goes for Twitter and Facebook. They have integrated some social media pages with the ‘shop now’ button, which helps the customers go to the website and order the required product.
It has a very strong social presence and is hence able to have a personal touch with the customers.
Other than the above-mentioned techniques, they also use Email marketing. Wherein, the customers who are registered with them will get updates through Emails. This is sent out only to regular and highly engaged shoppers.
On the whole, the social media marketing strategy of Nykaa is extremely customer-centric. Nykaa has understood who their target customers are and hence they find it very easy to tap that particular segment and work on attracting them. Nykaa is now one of the leading websites with the number of visitors on the website increasing day-by-day.
Nykaa marketing strategy approach towards customers has made it one of the best brands of its kind and helped it become a unicorn startup reaching a valuation of approx $14 billion.
For promoting the social media platforms and also for keeping the audience engaged, Nykaa launches various offers and discounts on social media platforms in the form of contests, giveaways, and many such activities. This helps them in generating customer leads and also connecting huge masses spread across various different geographical locations. People can also shop Nykaa products from their Facebook Page which redirects them to their e-commerce website.
The brand has launched its magazine that includes the news related to the field, various articles with advice on the skincare and wellness lines. The formats in this magazine include the FB live, educative brand collaborations, web series, and OTT platforms, etc. Their magazine 7.5 million page views and unique 4 lakh visits per month. Nykaa also releases these magazines in various regional languages.
Nykaa Routine Finder
Nykaa has built a very intriguing tool that is comprehensive of skin, hair, and wellness parameters. The tool allows getting a set skincare routine according to the choices made by the customer and the routine finder helps the customer by showing or suggesting the products that will help them to improve the problem that they face. On average around 15000 people visit this routine finder of which 90% of the people use it from the mobile application and 10% of users use it on the website.
Conclusion
Nykaa has proven itself by establishing a very successful business in the Indian market. With its balanced and slow & steady approach, it has become one of the most liked beauty and wellness giants and will continue to grow in the years to come. Nykaa has proven to be loyal to its customers and has been prosperous enough to get their trust in return. With such excellent marketing strategies, the brand will further continue to proliferate and earn huge profits.
FAQs
Who is the owner of Nykaa company?
Falguni Nayar founded Nykaa in 2012.
How does Nykaa make money?
They sell beauty products both online and offline. They have also added clothing to their product catalogue and they target both men and women as well as children as their target audience.
What is Nykaa’s marketing strategy?
The marketing strategy of Nykaa is mainly dependent on influencers. They market through
Marketing Through YouTube Channel
Influencer Marketing
Nykaa Offers and Discounts
Content Marketing Strategy
Social Media Marketing Strategy
Nykaa Beauty Book
Nykaa Routine Finder
What is Nykaa Target audience?
The target audience of Nykaa primarily includes women aged 18-45, who are interested in beauty, skincare, and wellness products. They focus on both urban and semi-urban customers, particularly those who are tech-savvy and fashion-conscious.
Starting a business in India doesn’t always require a huge investment. With just ₹1 lakh or less, aspiring entrepreneurs can launch profitable ventures with low overhead costs. From digital services to small-scale manufacturing, numerous opportunities exist that cater to various skills and interests.
Starting a business in India is becoming more accessible, especially for small entrepreneurs. According to the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), over 63 million MSMEs operate in India, contributing nearly 30% of the GDP and employing around 110 million people.
This article explores practical and budget-friendly business ideas that can help you turn a small investment into a steady income.
Businesses You Can Start With INR 1,00,000 or Less
Cab Fleet
You can buy a used car or a couple of bikes under INR 1 lakh, and register them with Ola, Uber, Rapido, and other on-demand cab services. You then need to hire some people to drive the cab for you. Even after the necessary deductions like paying the driver’s salary along with the maintenance expenditures, you’ll still end up with a good profit.
Speech recognition devices like Amazon, Alexa, and Google Home have become common in today’s households. With some knowledge of electronics and coding, you can help people pair their home appliances with speech-recognition devices. This would allow them to control the appliances by giving commands to the speech device. One needs to purchase electronic equipment and hire a few talented guys to take care of the programming and configuration aspects.
T-Shirt Printing
There’s a constant need for custom-designed uniforms with logos and pictures. As a result, T-shirt printing is a lucrative business one can pursue. You can help customers by printing their required designs and logos on T-shirts. For that, you’ll have to invest in a good T-shirt printing machine. There are many affordable machines in the market, some starting from as low as INR 50,000.
If it sounds expensive, one may rent the machine from someone every month or longer and once the business turns profitable, the venture owner could buy his or her own machine. With the constant emergence and growth of social media influencers, this business is in high demand at the moment. And there’s no dearth of offline opportunities as well. Many T-Shirt startups are already excelling in this industry.
If you know about trading and investing, you can provide the service of handling people’s money and generating profits for them through the share market. But to take off with this idea, one needs to demonstrate a knack for making successful predictions and trades in the market because people believe only when they see.
Moreover, it requires immense trust to hand over one’s hard-earned money to someone else. So start by investing money for relatives and friends, turn them into success stories, and then aim for the big fish! You can start your own investment company in the future with this business idea.
You can open a stationery store and cater to new startups and offices since they require a lot of stationery-related items like pens, paper, markers, etc. Offer them the best quality stationery products at reasonable prices. You can also partner with schools and coaching centers to establish your presence. Subsequently, students will come only to you for stationery needs.
Connectivity with your main store means a shortage of supplies can be taken care of immediately. You will need to build an effective transport network for connectivity between the main warehouse/store and your franchises to meet urgent delivery requests. A home delivery facility will attract more customers. This business idea can be easily launched with INR 1 lakh and be scaled as a formidable startup if implemented with the best practices.
Pet Groomer
Business with 1 lakh Investment – Pet Groomer
Pet grooming is no longer just popular in Western countries—it is growing fast in India too. As more people keep pets at home, pet grooming is becoming a great business idea for new entrepreneurs.
To start, you can talk to housing societies and meet their President to offer pet grooming services inside their premises. Many modern townships now have pet wellness zones, which you can use for your services. You can also make a deal with society so that all pets living there are groomed by you. Charging a small fee of INR 500 per pet per month can help you earn good profits.
Canteens
Canteens are no less than a necessity in public places such as parks. Even hospitals and office spaces are known for the crowd they bring. You can lease a space in such locations and start a canteen there. Start with limited options like tea, coffee, and biscuits. If there’s a growth in your customer base, you can then increase the options offered. Once the entire business is in motion with windfall profits, you can then think of expanding the canteen chain.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a new business idea that is growing fast and helping small businesses make big profits. It lets you run an online store without keeping stock or a warehouse.
You just need to connect with manufacturers or suppliers who sell the products you like. When a customer places an order, you send the details to the supplier, who then ships the product directly to the customer. You simply act as a middleman between the supplier and the buyer.
You can start this business with as little as INR 10,000 since you don’t need to buy any products. Just use free social media platforms to market your store. By offering good service and fast delivery, you can slowly grow your business.
Custom Gifts
According to Asianage, the gifting industry in India was $75.16 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 92.32 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 3.55%. The millennials have contributed significantly to the rise in gifting culture. Starting a personalized gifting business can prove to be a profitable business.
All you need is creativity and innovation which are reflected in awe-inspiring photo frames, custom coffee mugs, etc. Test your initiative on your acquaintances and see what they think of custom gifting as a customer. You can also distribute samples embellished with your information for promotion and publicity. Closing a deal with corporate offices, especially during the festive season, is also a good idea for marketing.
Social Media platforms like Instagram and Facebook have ushered in a new era, one where everyone’s crazy about selfies and videos. By the time you’d be done reading the previous sentence, hundreds of thousands of pictures must have been uploaded online. People are desperate for good-quality images and videos. They need excellent cameras for that. You can buy a high-end camera that ranges between Rs. 50,000 to 80,000 and rent it to people on an hourly basis.
If you can invest in a good quality drone with an integrated camera and provide instructions on its usage, nothing like it. You can easily command more than Rs. 1000 per hour as people are willing to pay astronomical amounts for those precious drone clicks! If you are interested, you can also start doing professional photography.
Xerox and Printing
Although everything’s online now, requirements like photocopying and scanning will never fade. You can buy a Xerox machine and start a business near a coaching center, college, or office. It is a highly scalable business idea if done right. It is the most profitable business under 1 lakh.
With the millennials (and everyone in general) moving towards a healthier lifestyle, juice shops are the place to go after that intensive workout. Be it fruit juice or protein shakes, juice shops are a favorite for many. Starting a juice shop business near a jogging park, fitness center, or a commercially bustling area offers a good chance to make money. If you cannot find any such place, you can always start with a movable setup like using your car and parking it near a jogger’s area every morning. All you need to start this business is a good juicer, fruits, and the necessary permission for your venture.
All of the inventories can be bought for less than 50,000 rupees. You can use the other INR 50,000 from your INR 1,00,000 investment to market your shop. You may have to seek police consent and those of the concerned authorities. Target residential societies, if possible. As more and more people throng to your shop, you’ll get an idea and insight into their preferences and thereby come up with even better offerings. It is one of the most promising business ideas you can start with INR 1,00,000.
Food Corner
Some eat to live while others live to eat. All in all, a Food Corner has all the ingredients of a profitable business. Aim for affordable meals so that people from all walks of life have something to consume at your joint. Since we’re talking about businesses under INR 1,00,000, start with a stall type of setup. Talk to the Southern meals and MOMO vendors you find on the roads to understand how they work. This is one of the best businesses you can start with INR 1,00,000 or even less as food will never go out of trend.
The gaming industry is witnessing a boom. The current value of the gaming industry in India is $850 million and it is growing at a rate of 14.3% every year. If you think people in your locality are into mobile or PC gaming, you can buy a few high-end mobile phones and PCs and set up a game parlor. Many people want to play high-performance mobile games but don’t have compatible phones. There’s tremendous opportunity in mobile lending. Apart from the money you make from the games, you can sell snacks in the parlor for some extra cash.
Used Car Dealership
Many people prefer to buy used cars in good condition. They buy a used car, drive it for a year or two, sell it, and buy another used car. You can start a used car dealership and find customers easily. All you need is a used car, have it repaired, and find a buyer. If you can add some value to the car through modification, people will be ready to buy it for a higher price. Start your business by scouting for a used car that can be purchased and enhanced in a 1 lakh budget. Many people like to buy used cars and enhance them in a short period.
Driving schools continues to remain in the market. It is still a good business that mints money as the number of driving licenses issued every year grows exponentially. For a driving school, you need a good marketing plan as you cannot target specific people. You will have to use traditional channels of advertising like newspapers and pamphlets. Social media marketing can also assist in acquiring customers.
For someone interested in doing hairstyles, makeup, or grooming people, starting a salon can be a nice business. A shop in a good locality is needed, besides many also start it at home. Much heavy investment is not needed, and also one can earn a good amount of profit in this business
The above-mentioned are some of the best business ideas that can be started by investing around INR 1,00,000. But if you feel that 1 lakh is not what you can invest right now, there are still other businesses you to start that require very little investment. Let’s have a look at some such business ideas.
Best Businesses to Start with Less Investment
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is an easy-to-start yet profitable business that you can start, without any major investment. What you have to do is simply promote other business’s products and services online and earn a commission. You don’t even need to have your website to start affiliate marketing. Just choose the products you would like to promote and register yourself as an affiliate of the company whose products you would like to promote.
Once authorized to become an affiliate, you receive affiliate links for various products the company is selling. You can now paste these links on your website or promote them through your social media accounts, YouTube channels, online groups or communities, or through email, and start earning commission whenever someone clicks on your link to visit the company’s website and makes any purchase.
Blogging
If you love writing, blogging is an interesting and profitable business that you can start with minimal investment. All you need to spend is on a domain and a good hosting plan. So just with an investment of INR 5000-6000, you are all set for a blogging business. Blogging lets you make money in many ways. You can sign up with Google AdSense to show ads on your website, do affiliate marketing, write sponsored posts, sell e-books, and much more through blogging.
Another good service for those who have amazing writing skills is starting a business providing writing services. Writing service providers create various content for clients ranging from resume writing, article writing, short story writing, copywriting, technical writing, editing, and much more. You can start by offering limited services, and once scaled up, you can hire people and broaden the spectrum of your services.
There are many students who would pay to get some help with their homework. You can start online homework and assignment consultation services. Students can call you to seek help regarding their assignments and you can charge them on an hourly or per assignment basis. You can target hostels and colleges for this business. This is an awesome business idea if you are excellent in studies and require very little money to begin with. The only investment will be in the form of the internet and your device. Tutoring is also a good way to make some money with almost no investment.
If you have relevant knowledge, you can start designing websites for various businesses. In today’s digital world, every business big or small needs a digital presence to grow. By starting a web designing business, you can tap into this trend.
Are you a graphic designing expert? Well, this can indeed be a great business option. Graphic designing has a huge scope. From creating logos for companies to designing brochures and marketing materials, making graphical content for social media to designing packages, there is a lot you can offer to your clients and earn a good amount of money.
Interior Designer
Interior designing is another great business option. With the required skills and preferably the required certifications, you can easily start an interior designing business. Start by designing the interior for your family, friends, and acquaintances, and build a good portfolio that you can show to attract clients. If your work is good enough, this business will surely take you places.
Home Decorator
Being a home decorator is a good business for those who love to decorate beautiful homes. A home decorator is one who decorates the interiors with beautiful furniture, accessories, etc. While you need certification to become an interior designer, no certification is needed for being an interior decorator. All you need to be an interior decorator is creativity.
Fashion Designer
If you have a knack for fashion designing, a fashion designing business is something you can start without much investment. Find a niche segment and decide for whom you want to design clothes. Start by offering a few products, and promote your business to your acquaintances as well as through social media. Also, it is good to have your own website where you can showcase your design.
Starting an online store
Starting an online store is yet another good business idea. Just choose the products you want to deal in and decide whether you would like to go for drop-shipping or stocking the products you want to sell. As regards creating the e-commerce site, there are many platforms like Zepto, Shopify, and FreKart that will help you in this regard.
Bookstore
Bookstore – Business with 1 lakh Investment
Starting a bookshop is an affordable and nice business. One can opt to sell used books also, as they can be procured at a low cost. While there are many these days who prefer to order books online and others who read e-books, there is still that category of readers who like to hold a book in their hands and read it, rather than reading it on a screen.
So if you can rent a space near educational institutes or in a popular market area, your bookstore will surely earn profit. The coffee shop bookstore is also a cool place that people like to visit. So if you have enough space and required skills, you can also start a coffee shop alongside your bookstore to attract more customers.
Fashion Store
If you love to look stylish and have a good fashion sense, you may consider opening a fashion store. To start with find a niche for yourself and start dealing in your niche. For example, you can begin with a kid’s fashion store, and expand later to another niche as well, with an increase in budget. You can also consider establishing your online presence and selling your clothes online.
Babysitting
Babysitting is also a business that requires very little investment. If there is space, you can start this business at your home itself. You just need to invest in some good toys, books, etc. to keep the kids busy. Also, healthy food should be made available.
Opening a craft store is a viable business option. You can either create your own piece of art for selling in the shop or procure art and craft items in bulk and sell the same at retail rates. Craft items have a good profit margin when bought in bulk.
Bakery
If baking is your passion, a bakery is a good business you can start. To keep the investments on the lower side you can opt to start a home bakery or a cloud kitchen. In home bakery and cloud kitchens, you just need to cook and deliver the food items, without any hassle of making sitting arrangements. Thus your rent is saved.
Online Advertising
Online advertising is what many businesses opt for these days, as online advertising is a great way to reach a wide audience. As such starting your own online advertising business is surely a profitable option. As an online advertising company, you can provide services such as website designing, SEO services, PPC advertising, Social media marketing, content marketing, and e-mail marketing.
Dancing and Music School
If you are a trained singer or dancer, music and dance classes can be a good business you can start. When started on a very small scale at home, you do not require any registration or licensing. Once you feel confident enough, you can scale up your business.
Handmade products are in demand these days. So you can make and sell handmade soaps, incense sticks, candles, etc. to make a profit. The Government of India offers affordable training courses where you can learn to make these goods. You can sell them online, and as you scale up you can tie up with spas, salons, hotels, etc. for selling the products.
Other than this, you can also consider selling homemade jams, pickles, chocolates, etc. Homemade stuff can also be sold through sites like Etsy.com.
Consulting Business
Consulting services can be offered in various fields such as accounting, auditing, insurance, career, taxes, business, and more. You just need to spot your area of expertise and start your consultancy accordingly. Try to get initial customers from your acquaintances and give them the best services so that you can benefit from word-of-mouth publicity.
Real Estate Agency
If you have interest and knowledge about real estate, you can become a real estate agent. You can choose from dealing in residential properties, commercial properties, or plot investments to start with. Get the required licensing, gather the required information and knowledge about the property you are dealing with, and promote yourself well so that you can reach out to your target customers.
Travel Agency
With the boom in the travel and tourism industry in India, starting a travel agency is a great business idea. You can choose to deal in anything: air ticket booking, hotel booking, selling travel packages, or all of them.
With every business going online, there is a rising need for web maintenance services. Website maintenance is required to keep a website error-free, up-to-date user friendly, and safe. In current times, web maintenance services can be a profitable business to start.
Event Management Services
Do you feel that you have what it takes to organize an event successfully? If yes, an event management company is something you should start. With the boom in the event management segment in India and worldwide, event management surely is the right place to be. To start with, you can manage events for family and friends to get exposure and also do some thorough research on managing successful events.
Being a first-timer, you may find it overwhelming to provide all the event management-related services. So you may start by offering one or two services like visitor management services, flower decorations, press and publicity services, etc. to big event management companies. Once you are confident enough, you can take the plunge to start your own full-fledged event management company.
Becoming an Amazon seller is a lucrative and profitable initiative. Currently, there are over 5 lakh sellers registered with Amazon India. The best part about being a seller with Amazon is that you can reach out to a wide customer base not only within India but globally; Amazon takes care of everything from delivering the products to the customers to transferring money to your account.
YouTuber
Not just money, YouTube can turn you into a celebrity. If you choose to be a YouTuber, you can make money through various streams. You can earn money by becoming a YouTube partner, selling your merchandise through your YouTube Channel, or creating sponsored content. There are options where your fans can pay you directly. If you are a viral content creator, you can even make money by letting media houses use your content and get paid in return.
Podcasting
Looking at its popularity, podcasting can be a good business too. There are many ways in which a podcaster makes money. Some businesses sponsor podcasts and that means a good source of revenue. Podcasters also earn from donations and crowdfunding by selling their own products and services, or through affiliate marketing.
With all the craze around e-books, being an e-book writer can also prove to be a profitable business. Before diving into writing an e-book, you need to find your area of expertise and interest and write something that will create value for your readers. Once written, it’s important to extensively promote your e-book to the relevant audience to generate more sales. You can sell your e-book through your website, on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform, or through other publishers.
Services that make household chores easy are gaining popularity fast. Laundry service is one such lifesaver for the millennials. A well-managed laundry business is something you can start and earn profit from. You would need a staff to take care of washing, ironing, etc. Regarding marketing, targeting young people, working professionals, and tying up with co-living space providers can help significantly.
Tailoring
Tailoring is one of those businesses which can be started with low investment. Depending on your budget and skills, you can start tailoring at a small level from your home with a sewing machine and once budget and experience permit, you can launch a boutique. Upon expansion, you may buy a pico machine, interlock machine, embroidery machine, etc., and diversify your specialties in tailoring.
Home Cleaning or Corporate Cleaning Services
Cleaning is an essential service that individuals, organizations, and others cannot live without. With the uptick in the number of corporate offices, co-working spaces, co-living areas, and serviced apartments, the demand for home cleaning and corporate cleaning facilities has surged. Hence, starting a business in this domain is certainly a good idea.
There is a lot to do when it comes to home repair and maintenance. From electrical work to painting, plumbing, carpentry, or roofing, many chores need to be taken care of. Considering the huge demand, a home maintenance and repairing business can surely turn out to be a profitable one if executed right.
Catering Business
If cooking and feeding people make you happy, then the catering business is for you. All you need to invest in is cooking utensils, ingredients that will be required for cooking, and some helpers. Once your setup is in place, you can start taking orders and supply food for parties, functions, and other events.
Grocery Shop
A grocery shop does not require much investment. The most important factor you need to keep in mind is that the shop should be in a good location. Try to provide the variety of goods that people demand, be open to home delivery facilities, and watch as you gain loyal customers.
As reported by market research firm techARC, India had 502.2 million smartphone users in 2019, and the number is ever-increasing. Given the scenario, a mobile repair shop can undoubtedly be a profitable business you may consider. Besides repairing, you can also sell accessories and provide mobile recharge facilities in your shop.
Paper Bag, Cloth Bag, or Jute Bag Making
With the buzz around the danger of using plastic, manufacturing cloth bags, jute bags, and paper bags is an eco-friendly way of making money. With proper marketing and the fabrication of reliable bags, you will end up with a pretty solid business. It is the best business under 1 lakh in village.
These business ideas might seem small as they only need an investment of INR 1 lakh or less. But the sky’s the limit when it comes to profits. Once you establish your foot with these initiatives, you can easily scale your business to the next level. Focus on marketing and correctly executing your business model. You may not see overnight results, so hold your horses and be patient. Are you aware of some other business ideas that can be started with a low monetary investment? Do comment.
Is it really possible to start a business with just INR 1 lakh?
Yes, many viable businesses can be launched with limited capital, especially in the service, online, and home-based sectors.
What are the key factors to consider when choosing a business?
Consider your skills, interests, market demand, competition, and potential for growth.
How can I minimize startup costs?
Utilize free or low-cost online tools, start from home, leverage social media for marketing, and purchase second-hand equipment if needed.
What are the business ideas under 1 lakh?
Business ideas under ₹1 lakh include dropshipping, tiffin service, home bakery, mobile repair, digital marketing, pet grooming, handmade jewelry, photography, cloud kitchen, and fitness training. Low investment and smart marketing can help you grow fast!
What business can I start with 100k in India?
With INR 1 lakh, you can start a small business like dropshipping, home baking, tiffin service, handmade jewelry, digital marketing services, pet grooming, or a mobile repair shop. You can also start a YouTube channel, tuition classes, or a blogging business with low investment. Focus on online marketing and good service to grow fast!
What are the Business Ideas 50,000 to 100000 rupees?
With ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh, you can start a tiffin service, digital marketing, dropshipping, pet grooming, mobile repair, handmade crafts, photography, fitness training, or reselling business. You can also open a small café, cloud kitchen, or printing business. Focus on low-cost marketing and quality service to grow!
Pratyusha Srivastava
