StartUps

POWER TALK: INSPIRING WOMEN IN BIZ |Sonya V. Kapoor and Amrita Mendonza

Sonya V. Kapoor of Delhi and Amrita Mendonza of Mumbai are two friends who have combined their enthusiasm and abilities to build their own business and pursue their ambition of being India’s greatest entrepreneurs. The founders of M5 Entertainment Talent Agency, had no idea that a relationship between them from two different places could blossom into a blockbuster alliance. The couple shares with Bidisha Barik how they hail from different locations and have different paths in life, paired up to launch their own entertainment talent agency in the sector.

Sonya V. Kapoor and Amrita Mendonza
Delhi and Mumbai
Co-founders of M5 Entertainment Talent Agency

Amrita Mendonza

Power Take: The couple, who hail from different locations and have different paths in life, paired up to launch their own entertainment talent agency in the sector.

Sonya, who has wanted to direct films and work in the entertainment industry since she was in sixth grade, spent 15 years in the talent management field before launching her own company.

Before meeting Sonya, Amrita had no intention of becoming an entrepreneur, having worked at Globosport for 9 years.

“At the time, the concept of becoming an entrepreneur was not on my mind, but possibilities presented themselves approximately 2-3 times. And it was at that point that I realised I didn’t want to leave anything behind, so I discovered myself,” Amrita explains.

Women are now fearlessly carrying the torch of entrepreneurship in every field, overcoming all obstacles and converting them into opportunities. Even though they faced problems, Sonya and Amrita, as two women entrepreneurs in the media sector, played it safe. “

You can also look at how we changed them into positives and used it to our strength instead,” they add.

The two, who are from separate places, have managed to network in their respective cities and put everything under one roof, something they are proud of as business partners. While Sonya is well-connected in Delhi, and Amrita is well-connected in Mumbai, both are experienced in creating their mark in the industry. “We’ve done marquee deals with Disha Patani, Kiara Advani, individually worked with Kareena as well as a really interesting one with Manoj Bajpai,” say the duo, whose biggest milestone was a collaboration with Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

While it was a nice one, Sonya adds, “Fortunately, there is a lot more work occurring and to come.” Their most recent work started when Tata Play approached them about an exciting rebranding potential with top personalities onboard. “This is quite exciting for us, and it makes us very proud of all of our hard work. This has been one of our most talked-about ads, and it’s a terrific way to kick in 2022,” Amrita says.

For them, the future holds a slew of celebrity partnerships as well as a foray into filmmaking and the OTT realm. “Right now, I’m in the middle of pre-production of a short film. The aim is to progress, to keep working, and to have fun while doing so,” Sonya explains.

Quick Take:

– Who’s the go-getter and who is laid back among you two?

It’s the perfect balance between both of us. Whatever we have achieved, it has been with each other, balancing each other out.

– One piece of advice from each of you for budding entrepreneurs?

One piece of advice to any budding entrepreneur is just keep going, work hard and respect your work.

– Three myths about the film industry?

The first myth of the film industry is that there is just glam and that the actors have an easy life.
The second myth is that it is extremely difficult in the film industry and that it is impossible to enter on your own. The doors have opened for anyone who is talented.

It’s not as glamorous as it seems. The hard work is undeniable.

February 26, 2022

Top 6 Startups Of 2025: The New Architects of India’s Future

From sustainable farming to EV mobility, discover six Indian startups shaping a cleaner, smarter, and more connected tomorrow. Every generation finds its dreamers, the ones who don’t just talk about change, but build it. In 2025, India’s startup scene feels less like a rush for valuation and more like a movement with a purpose. These founders aren’t chasing unicorn tags; they are chasing impact. They are solving what truly matters. This is the India that rolls up its sleeves and says ‘Let’s make it ourselves.’ Dhanush Kumar writes about the Top 6 Startups of 2025, born from soil, steel, and software, each shaping tomorrow with courage and conscience. 1.Handpickd: Fresh from Farm to Table When freshness becomes a luxury, Handpickd restores it to the everyday plate. This Bengaluru-based agritech startup has built a direct bridge between local farmers and urban consumers ensuring every tomato, mango, and millet travels fewer miles and earns farmers more smiles. Using tech-driven logistics and transparent sourcing, Handpickd doesn’t just deliver produce; it delivers trust. In an era of overprocessed everything, this is simplicity redefined clean food, honest pricing, and a system where farmers finally get their due.It’s not a brand. It’s a return to our roots literally. 2.Bambrew: Building a Plastic-free Future At a time when the planet gasps under plastic, Bambrew breathes innovation. The Bengaluru-based packaging pioneer crafts biodegradable, compostable alternatives made from bamboo, sugarcane, and cornstarch materials that love the earth back. Their vision isn’t just green, it’s bold. Bambrew’s eco-packaging now wraps products for top FMCG and e-commerce giants, proving sustainability doesn’t have to look boring or cost a fortune.This isn’t rebellion it’s reinvention. A reminder that small choices, multiplied by millions, can rewrite the story of our planet. 3.Eeki Foods: Vertical Farming for a Greener Tomorrow In the deserts of Rajasthan, where

StartUps

The Fresh Faces of India’s Clean Eating Revolution

Eat Right Clean eating is no longer a fad but a necessity in the times we live in, and several startups are making sure this is a choice that is easy to make. As people take charge of their health and well-being, eating clean is one of the most important priorities. BINDU GOPAL RAO features seven startups that are helping make this change, one plate at a time. Nutreat Hyderabad-based Nutreat was born in 2014 out of a personal need to provide clean, wholesome food for the founder’s son. Over time, this evolved into a deeper mission: to craft handmade, customised nutrition rooted in ancestral Indian food wisdom. “We handcraft each product using our signature four-step process sprouting, sun-drying, slow roasting, and stone grinding and tailor it to the individual’s age, health condition, and dietary needs. Nutreat promotes clean eating not just by avoiding processed ingredients, but by ensuring every spoonful is mindfully made and consciously consumed. In 2023, when our business was at its peak with franchise opportunities, foreign collaborations, and incubation offers we made a bold decision. We stepped back. We refused to bulk produce because it was creating false demand, pressuring both our team and consumers to buy more than they needed. That turning point reaffirmed our belief in nooverbuying and consciousconsumerism. Clean eating, we believe, must also be mindful free of waste, hype, or excess. While the wellness industry grows, we often see food wastage even in the name of healthy eating. Our model of customisation ensures that we make only what’s needed, drastically reducing waste while offering personalised nutrition,” says Jyothi Sri Pappu, Founder & CEO, Nutreat. Moving forward, their goal is to scale impact, not volume, by nurturing conscious consumers, supporting women artisans, and creating a food culture rooted in purpose. The Kenko Life

StartUps

House of Creativity: Sinha Brothers Redefine India’s Art Scene with a Legacy-Fuelled Vision

In a world where creativity often competes with commerce, LUV and KUSSH SINHA are merging both purpose and passion. Drawing from their rich cinematic heritage and a lifelong connection to the arts, the Sinha twins have launched The House of Creativity (HOC) a platform dedicated to showcasing and supporting contemporary Indian artists. Their goal is to democratize access to visual art, giving emerging talents a space to thrive while also expanding the reach of Indian artistry on a global stage. In conversation with SINDURI VUPPALA, the duo shares how their entrepreneurial journey is not just about art, but about creating a movement that celebrates originality, honours legacy, and nurtures the future of India’s creative community. 1. Can you take us back to when your relationship with visual art truly began? Luv: My relationship with visual art began at a very young age. I was deeply influenced by Hindi cinema the films my father acted in, those of Mr. Bachchan, and other legends. As I grew older, Japanese animation, video games, and comic books also left a huge impression on me. Each artist, every inker, has their own style those differences fascinated me. Film too, being a moving image, played a huge role. Pause it, and it becomes a photograph. That connection influenced me tremendously. 2. What led to the birth of the House of Creativity? Was there a defining moment or conversation? Luv: It started with conversations at home during the lockdown. I kept thinking about the number of immensely talented artists who just don’t have a platform. Art can be an exclusive world, but coming from the film industry, I felt we could help expand its reach. The idea of starting digital-first made sense due to restrictions, but our long-term vision is definitely to open physical galleries and make

StartUps

Why Piyush Goyal’s Note Strikes a Chord with Many

In a fast-paced economy where entrepreneurship is often glamorized and unicorn status is considered the ultimate goal, Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent cautionary note to start-ups has sparked conversation across boardrooms, social media feeds, and co-working spaces alike. At a time when headlines celebrate billion-dollar valuations and multi-million funding rounds, Goyal’s reminder to prioritize sustainability over vanity metrics comes as both a wake-up call and a much-needed dose of realism. What Did Piyush Goyal Say? While addressing a forum of young entrepreneurs and start-up founders, the Commerce and Industry Minister highlighted the growing trend of start-ups focusing more on valuation than value creation. He advised founders to stay grounded, reminding them that real impact lies in solving problems, building sustainable models, and creating employment — not just in raising capital or reaching the next funding milestone. Why It Resonates 1. The Valuation Bubble India has witnessed a boom in the start-up ecosystem over the last decade, becoming the third-largest start-up hub in the world. However, this rapid rise has also led to the emergence of overvalued unicorns, many of which struggle to generate profits or even break even. Goyal’s words hit home because several start-ups that once shone brightly have now either shut down or drastically downsized. 2. Funding Winter & Layoffs In the past year, a noticeable funding winter has taken a toll on many start-ups. With VC purse strings tightening, companies have been forced to lay off thousands of employees, scale back operations, and rethink their business models. Goyal’s comment serves as a timely reminder that blind growth can be dangerous without a stable foundation. 3. Founders Facing Burnout The hustle culture in start-up circles often glorifies 20-hour workdays and constant “grind” mentality. However, a growing number of founders are speaking out about mental health challenges, anxiety, and burnout. Goyal’s emphasis on sustainable growth also indirectly supports a healthier entrepreneurial mindset — one that doesn’t chase