Lateral Sparks, the weekly quiz from YourStory, tests your domain knowledge, business acumen, and lateral thinking skills (see the previous edition here). In this 191st edition of the quiz, we present issues tackled by real-life entrepreneurs in their startup journeys.
What would you do if you were in their shoes? At the end of the quiz, you will find out what the entrepreneurs and innovators themselves actually did. Would you do things differently?
Check out YourStory’s Book Review section as well, with takeaways from over 355 titles on creativity and entrepreneurship, and our weekend PhotoSparks section on creativity in the arts.
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Q1: Technology and language
Many aspiring developers face challenges when the bulk of educational material is not in their own local languages. Where is the entrepreneurial opportunity here?
Q2: Social change
Many rural areas suffer from social problems with respect to abuse, women’s health, and trafficking. How can communication and mobilisation about these issues be scaled up, while also leveraging local media and culture?
Q3: Design for impact
In many rural communities, farmers face problems of cracked feet and fungal infections due to inadequate footwear. How can these challenges be solved, especially by using local materials?
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Q4: Authenticity and food
Many people long for authentic, home-style flavours in food, which are difficult to find in packaged food. They also look for cooking styles rooted in local culture. How can this business opportunity be tapped?
Q5 Hotel operations
Many hotels in the mid and lower segments have no online presence and also face challenges in managing inventory. How can this challenge be tackled?
Answers!
Congratulations on having come this far! But there’s more to come—answers to these five questions (below), as well as links to articles with more details on the entrepreneurs’ solutions. Happy reading, happy learning—and happy creating!
A1: Technology and language
GUVI (Grab Your Vernacular Imprint) is promoting tech talent that is not overly dependent on English skills. “When you eliminate the struggle of understanding the medium, learners can actually focus on understanding the concept,” founder Arun Prakash explains.
Its courses are designed and delivered by in-house educators, linguistic experts, and industry professionals, on topics like Python, Java, AI, digital marketing, and cybersecurity. Read more here about its courses across 16 languages—11 Indian languages as well as five international languages including Arabic and Malay.
A2: Social change
Founded by Drishana Kalita, PuppetPeople Assam is reviving the state’s traditional puppet art, Putola Naas, and also turning it into a force for social change. Their puppet performances address social issues and challenges with stories that inform, heal, and empower.
It increases awareness about social problems like stalking, trafficking, alcoholism, substance abuse, menstrual health, and even witch hunts. Read more here about how Kalita also runs a theatre group that performs street plays and skits, and uses folk music for social change.
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A3: Design for impact
Founded by Santosh Kocherlakota, Nakul Lathkar, and Vidyadhar Bhandare, Earthen Tunes creates biodegradable shoes from indigenous wool, reviving crafts and aiding farmers. Merging traditional woollen craft with modern design, the trio has developed durable, breathable shoes that can handle tough terrain.
The portfolio has expanded from YAAR Kisan shoes for agricultural labour to YAAR Urban Essentials for eco-conscious city dwellers. Read more here about the team’s design-centric approach, the awards it has won, and the support received from IIT Madras, ISB Hyderabad, and the British Council.
A4: Authenticity and food
Starting with very simple video production, Kaushalya Chaudhary is now a renowned cook, content creator, and food entrepreneur. She is the founder of Sidhi Marwadi, a fast-growing brand selling authentic Rajasthani spices and oils.
“Spices and oils are the main ingredients of any food item, hence I decided to start a business of these two items,” she says. Read more here about how she has over 1.6 million subscribers on her YouTube channel, and her partnership model to empower women to join her business with a minimum investment.
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A5: Hotel operations
Founded by Pravat and Sandha Panda, Retrod has developed affordable technology to digitise operations of mid and low-segment hotels. It has amassed a total of around 1,500 clients across India in a short span.
“We also manage a hotel’s inventory, their housekeeping staff, and all the way to figuring out ways to promote the hotel as well,” Pravat Panda says. Read more here about how it has reportedly acquired over Rs 4.5 crore in bookings, and its Retrod Podcast where hoteliers tell their stories of working in the industry.
YourStory has also published the pocketbook ‘Proverbs and Quotes for Entrepreneurs: A World of Inspiration for Startups’ as a creative and motivational guide for innovators (downloadable as apps here: Apple, Android).
Edited by Kanishk Singh
