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Lateral Sparks, the weekly quiz from YourStory, tests your domain knowledge, business acumen, and lateral thinking skills (see the previous edition here). In this 212th 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. Q1: Soda and health Many people crave soda, but face challenges because the products are often overloaded with sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavours. Where is the entrepreneurial opportunity here, and how can it be tapped? Q2: Crafts and livelihood Many rural handicrafts are in conditions of neglect and lack of visibility, and local artisans are busy with other occupational activities. How can such cultural traditions be preserved in a sustainable and empowering manner? Q3: Climate action Many climate action initiatives are understandably global in focus. But mobilisation and impact can also be targeted at the local level. What are the opportunities here for youth changemakers? Q4: Acid attack Victims of acid attacks, unfortunately, face a life of pain, trauma and stigma. Many of these women also develop a lack of self-worth. How can this be addressed in a way which brings back some dignity to such survivors? Q5: Children’s clothing Parents today are looking for factors like comfort, fit, and durability for children’s clothing, beyond basic cost. Where is the entrepreneurship opportunity here? 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: Soda and health Founded by brothers Aditya and Yash Pai, D2C brand Misfits’ soda products are betting on bold flavours and gut-friendly benefits to win over a new generation of health-conscious consumers. It aims to deliver on all three counts: taste, refreshment and functional benefits. Its products include Grape Soda and Mango Chilli, and are made with plant-based ingredients, balancing bold taste with gut-friendly benefits. Read more here about its packs of cans priced at Rs 75-100, and how it has a monthly growth of around 45% and a projected CAGR of 200–250%. A2: Crafts and livelihood Sundar Rang (‘beautiful colours’) is a social enterprise and women’s arts and crafts collective. With over 35 local women artists using styles like dabu block printing, it keeps alive the legacy of craftsmanship that is historic to Chandelao village in Rajasthan, while the women continue running their households independently. Each product bears the name of its maker, a gesture that gives back ownership to where it belongs. Read more here about how 60% of the profit goes to the artisans, and how all materials used are organic or upcycled. A3: Climate action A new generation of changemakers is reimagining climate action as something deeply local, creative and collective. For example, Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN) aims to ensure that young Indians have a seat at the climate action table, with activities like its Climate Solutions Road Tour. Founded by Hemavathi S Shekhar, Enact Earth Foundation has a mission to root climate action in justice, literacy and inclusivity. Read more here about other inspiring youth organisations like Bring Back Green Foundation (grassroots activism, policy-ready thinking) and Youth Climate Action Lab (training, research). A4: Acid attack Ara Lumiere, a fashion brand founded by Kulsum Shadab Wahab and supported by Hothur Foundation, supports over 120 acid attack survivors by providing them opportunities for economic independence and personal empowerment. It has also launched Phoenix Circle, a movement to help these survivors by showcasing their creative works at Milan Fashion Week. Each of its collections tells a story, crafted by hands that have known terrible pain but refuse to be defined by it. Read more here about its recent collection titled Rewoven Resilience, which took heritage sarees that had survived over a century and transformed them into stunning blazers. A5: Children’s clothing Founded by Vaidehi Shah and Sneha Raisoni, Plan B focuses on manufacturing comfortable and high-quality innerwear for children aged 1 to 16 years. Its focus includes safety and expression, with design themes inspired by animals, musical instruments, and nature. It offers over 250 SKUs, including underwear, boxers, vests, starter bras, period panties, T-shirts, and socks. Read more here about its online channels, and its mid-premium pricing of Rs 400 for a three-pack of underwear, Rs 999 for a three-pack of starter bras Rs 999, and socks at Rs 299 per pair. 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)
