We, at StartInc, are more than just service providers. We are dream nurturers – a guide, and a helping hand for every budding entrepreneur in India. Our journey is a testament to the power of passion and the relentless pursuit of a vision – the vision to transform startup dreams into tangible successes.
However this journey has not been void of its challenges. Our journey has involved constant refinement, shaping our purpose, vision, and team. And while the journey has already been rewarding, our goal of making a lasting impact is a work in progress.
We always talk about nurturing stories here, but today we want to share a very special story – our own. And that story begins with the personal journey of our founder and visionary, Hinal Mehta.
An Idea that led to the birth of StartInc
Our story starts with founder, Hinal Mehta, the heart and soul behind StartInc. Back in the 9th grade, a simple school project led her to create “Belle,” a star-shaped soap symbolising beauty and hidden fragrance. Little did she know that this innocent project would ignite a spark, propelling her into the world of entrepreneurship.
Throughout her university days, Hinal’s fascination with startups deepened. She delved into various sectors, working closely with small businesses. And this opened her eyes to the key mistakes entrepreneurs make and the causes for early failure of startups. One of the key problems that caught her eye was the pandemic had swayed startup founders to race towards digital media to boost their growth rather than pausing to understand if this is what their brand requires.
While the pandemic made selling online and bridging boundaries easier, once the real world came back in, entrepreneurs had to face competition and many businesses without a holistic marketing strategy crumbled. That is when the idea came to us – startups of today need to be made into brands of tomorrow and we can be the catalyst on this journey.
A Safe Haven for Startups
We are well aware of the statistic – 9 out of 10 startups fail. And where others may see a challenge, StartInc saw an opportunity. An opportunity to make a change to this statistic by building a safe haven for startups and brands. We recognised that the key thing these early age startups required was – the right guidance and the right partners to build a sustainable market presence. And this is the beginning of our journey as a Consultancy – to accelerate the growth in startups through data and design strategy.
When we took this idea to the entrepreneurs, they understood the idea and appreciated it. However, the question always arose – So what do you actually do? Digital marketing? Sales and Lead generation? Branding and Content? Our answer – Yes, everything! Whatever you and your business may require. We wanted to service every entrepreneur who had a vision and wanted to build a brand that would resonate with the consumers. However, there are multiple consultancies, agencies and freelancers in the market who claim to provide similar services.
So how did we start?
By differentiating ourselves based on what most startups lack – Research & Consumer Insights. Often, startups believe they’re too small for dedicated R&D or lack the resources to invest in it. But we understood that this investment pays dividends. Data and research became our secret weapons, allowing us to craft strategies rooted in solid foundations, cutting through the noise and clutter of the startup world.
Our motto was simple – McDonalds, Coca Cola, Apple, Amazon – all had a research & consumer insight backed strategy that they followed in their initial years to cut through the clutter and build a brand to remember. They all invested in the long term benefit of building a brand that would reach millions and construct a sustainable business. And hence, we evolved into a consultancy where Strategy and Execution was backed by Data, Research and Design.
In essence, we turned these obstacles into stepping stones by building our story around audience understanding, data-driven choices, and trust. StartInc positions itself as the go-to platform for startups seeking not just guidance but a partnership built on trust and expertise.
The Journey from Idea to Inception
And this research highlighted another important fact – More than 50% of startups fail in their first 5 years. This led to another evolution in our approach. The initial years of a business are the most crucial and the breeding ground for uninformed decisions and fundamental errors. Recognizing this pivotal gap, we, at StartInc, step in precisely at this juncture. What do we do, you ask? We guide you on the journey from the inception of your idea to the realisation of your brand. Your brand story, your idea – they become ours too. We have curated a nurturing ecosystem where early-stage startups in India find their path to success.
Take the recent unicorns like Nykaa, Sugar, Boat – they all spent their initial years focused to identify how effectively they can tap into their consumers and build a long lasting impact on them.
At StartInc, we comprehend the unique challenges budding entrepreneurs face. Therefore, we’ve meticulously crafted a supportive environment. Here, you gain access to the right mentorship that propels your venture, resources that fuel your growth, and a vibrant community that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our mission extends beyond mere guidance; we offer a comprehensive approach, empowering every step of your startup journey.
From connecting you with seasoned mentors who have walked the same path to providing the right resources to facilitate your growth. Our dedication lies in watching your brand thrive. At StartInc, we are more than consultants; we are your partners, working tirelessly to ensure your startup thrives and stands resilient in the competitive landscape. Your success story begins here, with StartInc as your steadfast companion.
How do we do this?
We simplify the process with our ABC guide: First, we analyse the market, consumer behaviour, and the viability of your idea; then we build innovative strategies and identities to establish a memorable brand; and lastly, we connect founders to the right stakeholders to build their business.
We begin by understanding your vision and goals. Then, we provide you with a detailed plan addressing your specific challenges. Together, we navigate the market landscape, analyse consumer behaviour, and develop an actionable strategy to boost awareness and customer retention for your business.
What does the future look like?
Our motto for the future – Collaborate & Grow. Brands are not built in isolation. They require the right mentors to guide them in making the right decisions for their brand, the right partners to execute specialised services and the right brands to reach a larger audience. And we want to be your trusted partner in this to identify and mediate these connections and collaborations.
And to achieve this, StartInc is building a collaborative ecosystem for founders to incubate their vision and idea into a successful venture.
To conclude, StartInc is more than just a consultancy – we’re your trusted ally, providing mentorship, support, and collaboration to ensure your startup not only survives but thrives.
Your success story starts here.
