Opening the gateway to the Northeast, Assam has always been at the forefront of redeveloping its ecosystem for growth and prosperity. With its enriched biodiversity, dynamic cultural beliefs, and grassroots authenticity, Assam continues to open the doors to opportunities and development.

Assam is witnessing a remarkable transformation as the emerging ecosystem of startups reshapes its industrial landscape. Driven by vision, hard work, and innovative ideas, the people of Assam are building ventures that not only contribute to economic growth but also create job opportunities for the indigenous community. Developing products within their homeland gives these startups a unique identity, blending tradition with modernity while empowering local talent.

Here are some unique startups that have emerged from the lush green fields of Assam:

Woolah Tea

The Story of Innovation

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is the key to consumer satisfaction, especially when it comes to beverages. For tea lovers, tea bags have been a game-changer, offering a quick and easy brewing experience. But this convenience comes at a hidden cost. Studies reveal that when brewing a tea bag, billions of microplastic particles per milliliter of tea are released.

To address this health and environmental concern, UpamanyuBorkakoty co-founded Woolah Tea in 2020. Woolah Tea not only promotes sustainable tea drinking but also empowers growers and farm workers, creating valuable employment opportunities for local communities.

Products and Offerings

Sourced from the lush tea gardens of Sivasagar, Assam, Woolah Tea introduced the world’s first bagless tea dips, offering a sustainable and plastic-free alternative for tea lovers. With a mission to redefine the tea industry through its patented eco-friendly green tea balls.

Fundraise

Woolah Tea raised ₹2 crore in funding from the Mumbai-based Gangwal Group in 2023. They also secured ₹50 lakh in funding from Aman Gupta, the co-founder of boAt, on Shark Tank Season 4.

Websitelink:https://woolahtea.com|Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/be_woolah

Kumbhi Kagaz

 

 The Story of Tackling an Environmental Menace of the Wetlands

Have you ever wondered how a picturesque wetland could disrupt the delicate balance of an ecosystem? This question crossed the minds of Rupankar Bhattacharya and Aniket Dhar when they witnessed Dipor Bil, one of Assam’s most significant wetlands, being overrun by water hyacinth. This invasive water weed was threatening the region’s biodiversity.

Determined to find a solution, they turned the problem into an opportunity by using water hyacinth to create chemical-free, eco-friendly paper products. And that’s how Kumbhi Kagaz was born. With the vision of turning environmental challenges into sustainable opportunities, Kumbhi Kagaz is restoring the ecological balance of Dipor Bil and supporting the fishing community while crafting paper in harmony with the environment.

Products and Offerings
Kumbhi Kagaz crafts calendars and notebooks known for their unique themes and exceptional quality, offering a distinctive and eco-friendly alternative.

Fundraise

Kumbhi Kagaz has received funding from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the North East Entrepreneurship Development Program, and Waste Aid.

Websitelink:https://www.kumbhikagaz.com/Instagram:https://www.ins tagram.com/kumbhikagaz/

 
Fuloni

The Story of Building a Greener Environment

In a world where environmental concerns are more pressing than ever, finding sustainable solutions has become a shared responsibility. With the same thought in mind, Hasan Al-Mehdi built Fuloni, founded in 2021, a platform with the idea of growing plants to make the planet better.

Fuloni's products embody the vision of fostering a plastic-free gardening environment, with each piece telling a unique story of craftsmanship.

Products and Offerings
Fuloni is an eco-friendly sustainable garden store that provides plants in planters made from 100% biodegradable, renewable sources like coconut husk and natural rubber latex, jute, bamboo, sitalpati, and sabaigrass.

Fundraise

The company secured ₹18 lakh from the IEF of CCS NIAM.

WebsiteLink:https://fuloni.com|Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fuloniofficial

Laajawab

The Story of Laajawab Exotic Spices

Research paves the way for innovation. This resembles the story of Dr. Suman JyotiDeka, whose curiosity about curcumin (a potent anti-cancer agent) led him to discover Lakadong turmeric. This turmeric, grown in the hills of Meghalaya, has a very high content of curcumin.

This discovery led him to build the brand “Laajawab,” whose goal is to bring the indigenous herbs and spices grown in the Northeast of India and cater them to the world.

The founder resonates with the philosophy of Atmanirbhar Bharat, helping the local farmers of Northeast India make a mark in the agriculture industry.

Products and Offerings
Laajawab, with its presence on online e-commerce platforms, delivers exotic ingredients like BhutJolokia, Sikkim black cardamom, Northeast black pepper, and Karbi ginger from the heart of the Northeast to kitchens across the country.

Funding
Laajawab Spices is entirely bootstrapped.

Websitelink:https://laajawabspices.com|Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/laajawabfoodproducts 

 

Conclusion

By breaking barriers and fueling entrepreneurial dreams, the Assam startup ecosystem has paved the way for homegrown innovations that are not only unique but also catalysts for economic growth. It has created a vibrant platform for creativity, fostering a culture of innovation and reinforcing the belief that with the right skills and relentless hard work, success is inevitable.

 

Article contributed by Pinakshi Gohain.