A student’s Ayurvedic Startup, Green Forest Wellness got a funding offer worth Rs 2.50 crore from a private company during a three-day Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit (GAIIS 2022) organised by the Ministry of Ayush. The summit witnessed enthusiastic participation from startups and students, who showcased their products and various initiatives. In the exhibition held at GAIIS 2022, many established companies along with the winning startup had setup their stalls.

Mardia, a resident of Jamnagar, Gujarat is a final year student of the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Gujarat. His dream of setting up a startup got wings under the government’s Startup India program. He started an Ayurveda-based cosmetic company, ‘Green Forest Wellness’ In October 2021, with only Rs 5 Lakhs. But due to the lack of funds, Mardia was not able to expand its reach and grow sales. He will use this funding for expansion and improving marketing of products.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while inaugurating the Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat had mentioned that just like other sectors, he was hopeful that in coming years he will see a unicorn emerge from Ayush sector also. Neelkanth Mardia’s successes will inspire more startups to emerge from the Ayush sector.

Dr. Anup Thakar, Director, ITRA, said, “Neelkanth Mardia was a fast learner and hardworking student from the very beginning. He was fond of finding new formulations based on the principles of Ayurveda. He has been very enthusiastic about his entrepreneur dream. I am glad that a private company has offered to invest Rs 2.50 crore to his startup. I wish him a bright future.”