StartUps

Touching Lives Positively

Mental health services make up a huge market especially in a country like India where there are several platforms providing access to therapists and counsellors who one can speak to. This is where United We Care comes as a game changer. Hashtag Magazine speaks to the founder to know more.

Shumita Kakkar remembers the lack of online mental health platforms for women, as she hustled to launch her mental health startup towards the end of 2019. Last year, some of her friends who were once the strongest women she knew, were going through difficult times in their lives. “One of them was nearing separation from her partner and the other one, a divorce. They reached a level where they even contemplated taking their own lives. I saw all this, went home, and looked online for a platform that helped women with their mental health issues and legal support. To my surprise, there were none. This is what sowed the seeds for United We Care (earlier United for Her),” says Shumita Kakkar, founder and director of United We Care.

Already a successful entrepreneur since 2017, running her startup 6T seconds that tapped into the short-form entertainment sector with clients like Airtel, Vodafone, and Hutch, in nine countries, Shumita had been hoping to do something more meaningful. With United We Care she knew she would make a positive impact in the lives of people.

At United We Care, the objective is to tackle the problem in its initial stages, before it snowballs into depression and leads to suicidal tendencies. And that is one of the reasons why the platform is different from the rest!

While earlier their target audience was women undergoing issues related to separation or divorces, United We Care now helps anyone facing mental stress in getting the support they need without having to run from pillar to post. “We enable them to get a lawyer at the right time and place and at a nominal charge. While this is one part of the solution, the other is offering them a platform where they can speak to someone without worrying about being judged or about the stigma they may face. United We Care is the first brand that is going ahead to create a sensitised and valuable support system for help seekers,” says Shumita, who has a strong urge to stand up for mental health issues. She adds, “I aim to create an ecosystem where men, women and the LGBTQ community can be encouraged to express and achieve success without any fears of bias or judgment.”

United We Care is a platform that provides emotional, mental and legal support to men, women, youth and the LGBTQIA. “Mental health must be given importance today in everyone’s life and here we stand together to create a happier you. United We Care is a coming together of a large number of professional psychologists, life coaches and lawyers to support those who are seeking help,” says Shumita, who started her career as manager of Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

The start up is at the confluence of human touch and convenience that technology offers. “All our partners do probono work and this is part of our contract. We undertake a competitive analysis for every expert who comes on board. There is a three to four step process undertaken as part of their background check and our services come at a lower rate than most of the others in the field. We are also going deeper to understand the causes of stress, anxiety and depression, and in turn provide support. Our advanced AI and ML pairs you up with the right person after asking a few simple questions. You can then choose to do a voice or video call or just chat,” explains Shumita.

The platform offers over 300 trained experts—psychologists, life coaches, lawyers—who are adept at offering help for all kinds of problems.

Recently, the company launched emotional health virtual assistant Stella who is available to chat or talk to users 24×7. Stella helps with basic CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) CAT (Cognitive analytical therapy), humanistic, interpersonal or couple therapy. She is a one-of-her-kind assistant with multiple decision trees and the ability to move negative sentiments to positive conversations.

December 22, 2020

#Community, #Inspiration, #MentalHealth, #Startup

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

StartUps

Water Warriors

The harsh summer of 2024 is a stark reminder that there is an urgent need to conserve the elixir of life: water. So, what is causing the water crisis, and how does one mitigate its impact? Climate change, high contamination of water, over-exploitation of groundwater, deforestation, reduced rainfall, and increased agricultural demand are some of the main reasons for water shortage. However, while the water situation seems stark, there is a silver lining on the cloud as many water-saving ventures seek to make a difference. Bindu Gopal Rao highlights several of these impactful initiatives. Water Warriors Bala Vikasa, Telangana Bala Vikasa is an NGO pioneering community-driven sustainable development activities in seven states, impacting about eight million people. A significant initiative they have is to provide access to safe drinking water at an affordable price of Rs 3-5 per 20 litres to rural communities suffering from high fluoride content in the available groundwater. Most small and marginal farmers rely heavily on natural freshwater resources for irrigation. However, groundwater depletion and low rainfall in urban and suburban areas have led to severe water scarcity, pushing farmers into a vicious cycle of debt due to reduced crop quality and yield. “In response to the struggles of farmers in rural Telangana, Bala Vikasa, founded by André Gingras (90) and Bala T. Singareddy (83), launched a pioneering farm pond construction program in 2015. This initiative, supported by CSR partners, aims to help farmers conserve rainwater, meet their irrigation needs, and replenish groundwater,” says Shoury Reddy Singareddy, Executive Director, Bala Vikasa. The program began in Ontimamidipally village, Warangal District, in 2015. In 2019, Bala Vikasa extended support to farmers in the suburbs of Hyderabad, following requests from the farmers of Upplingapur village, Medchal. This expansion underscores the program’s success and vital role in promoting sustainable agricultural