Building a successful startup is a challenge in itself, but doing it as a couple brings a unique blend of personal and professional collaboration. These power couplepreneurs in India have not only overcome these challenges but have also revolutionized industries, bringing innovative products and services to the masses. Here are 6such dynamic duos whose entrepreneurial journeys are inspiring others across the country.
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Ghazal and Varun Alagh – Mamaearth
Co-founders of Mamaearth, Ghazal, and Varun Alagh launched their personal care brand in 2016 under Honasa Consumer Pvt Limited (HCPL). Their mission was to introduce toxin-free and eco-friendly skincare and wellness products tailored for the conscious, young Indian consumer. Within a short span, Mamaearth achieved Unicorn status in 2022, a testament to the brand’s rapid rise and immense popularity.
The couple’s unique vision focused on combining traditional Indian ingredients with modern skincare needs. Mamaearth offers over 120 products ranging from face washes to baby care items, using natural ingredients like turmeric, bamboo, and charcoal. Their products have reached more than 2.5 million customers across 500 Indian cities, a feat driven by innovative marketing, including their use of digital influencers and strong community engagement.
In addition to their commercial success, the Alaghs have built Mamaearth on a foundation of social responsibility, focusing on sustainable packaging and ethical sourcing, earning the trust of India’s millennial and Gen Z customers.
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Kaushik Mukherjee and Vineeta Singh – SUGAR Cosmetics
Founded by Kaushik Mukherjee and Vineeta Singh in 2012, SUGAR Cosmetics quickly became a favorite among India’s beauty-conscious millennials. Known for its disruptive, bold products and striking packaging, the brand has carved out a niche in the competitive cosmetics market.
SUGAR Cosmetics initially focused on lipsticks but soon expanded to cover a wide range of beauty products, including foundations, eye makeup, and skincare. The couple built the brand with a strong digital-first approach, leveraging social media and influencer marketing to engage their target audience. Their branding, which centers on independent, empowered women, has resonated with young consumers across India.
With Vineeta as CEO and Kaushik as COO, the couple has successfully scaled SUGAR’s operations, with production facilities in India, Germany, and the U.S. Today, SUGAR is one of India’s fastest-growing premium beauty brands, with plans to expand further internationally.
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Amitt and Kashiish A Nenwani – Wahter
Amitt and Kashiish A Nenwani have disrupted both the bottled water and advertising industries with Wahter, their innovative venture that blends utility with creativity. Founded in 2023, Wahter is not just another bottled water brand—it’s a platform that revolutionizes how brands reach consumers through physical advertising.
Recognizing the potential of India’s Rs 221 billion bottled water market and the Rs 916 billion advertising industry, Wahter ingeniously combines the two. Their model allows companies to advertise on Wahter’s bottles, turning everyday hydration into an interactive, advertising opportunity. The brand ensures that every bottle sold is clean, safe, and affordable, giving consumers a refreshing product while offering brands a unique and highly visible way to communicate their message.
Wahter’s mission is not just about advertising—it’s about creating an eco-friendly, affordable solution to hydration while helping companies connect with consumers in a meaningful way. Amitt and Kashiish’s innovative thinking and passion for both advertising and environmental sustainability make Wahter one of the most promising startups in India today.
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Vivek Prabhakar and Shubhra Chadda – Chumbak
Chumbak, founded by Vivek Prabhakar and Shubhra Chadda in 2010, started as a passion project but has since grown into one of India’s most beloved design-led lifestyle brands. The couple initially sold their Bengaluru apartment to fund their business, taking a huge personal risk that paid off.
Chumbak started with a focus on quirky, India-inspired souvenirs but quickly expanded its product range to include fashion, home décor, and accessories. Today, the brand is a favorite among millennials for its distinctive style that merges traditional Indian motifs with contemporary design.
Vivek and Shubhra’s dedication to design has made Chumbak a recognizable name across the country, with the brand now having a strong presence online and in brick-and-mortar stores. The couple’s journey is a testament to the power of creative entrepreneurship, turning their love for design into a thriving business.
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Ruchi Kalra and Asish Mohapatra – OfBusiness
Ruchi Kalra and Asish Mohapatra are rare examples of a couple who have founded not only one unicorn company but two. Together, they launched OfBusiness, a B2B e-commerce platform, in 2015, which revolutionized how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) procure raw materials and industrial supplies. The platform offers a full suite of services, including working capital and credit, to help businesses run more efficiently. OfBusiness is now valued at Rs 44,000 crore.
Their second venture, Oxyzo Financial Services, launched in 2017, is the financial arm of OfBusiness. It offers credit facilities to businesses using OfBusiness, allowing SMEs to manage their cash flow better. Oxyzo raised $200 million, catapulting it to a valuation of Rs 8,200 crore, further solidifying the couple’s reputation as top-tier entrepreneurs.
Ruchi and Asish’s journey to success was not without challenges—they faced 73 rejections from investors before finally securing funding. Their perseverance paid off, and today, the couple runs two successful unicorns that continue to reshape the Indian business landscape.
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Swati and Rohan Bhargava – CashKaro
Swati and Rohan Bhargava’s CashKaro has redefined how Indian consumers save money while shopping online. Founded in 2013, CashKaro is now the country’s leading cashback and coupon platform, partnering with major e-commerce players like Amazon, Myntra, and Nykaa. In 2023, the platform achieved a revenue milestone of Rs 252 Crores and reported a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of Rs 4,500 Crores.
CashKaro’s unique model is built on partnerships—when users shop via the platform, CashKaro receives a commission from the e-commerce sites, and a portion of that commission is passed back to customers as cashback. This simple yet effective concept has won over millions of users and has made CashKaro a household name in India’s online shopping ecosystem.
The couple’s vision has not only helped shoppers save money but also helped brands drive more sales through affiliate marketing. Their success is a result of relentless innovation, customer-centric strategies, and the ability to build strong relationships with key e-commerce players.
