Ministry of Ayush has taken several initiatives to encourage a startup culture in the field of traditional medicines. The three-day Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit (GAIIS 2022) also 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 startup had setup their stalls. One such Student Ayurvedic Startup, Green Forest Wellness established by Neelkanth Mardia, has got a funding offer worth Rs 2.50 crore from a private company.
Neelkanth Mardia, a resident of Jamnagar, Gujarat is a final year student of Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Gujarat. His dream of setting up a startup got wings through PM Narendra Modi’s Startup India program. In October 2021, with only Rs 5 Lakhs, he started an ayurveda based cosmetic company, Green Forest Wellness. But due to the lack of funds, he was not able to expand its reach and grow sales. He will use this funding for expansion and improving marketing of products.
Prime Minister Shri 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.”
Green Forest Wellness Company manufactures Ayurvedic based cosmetic products like Anti-Aging Cream, Hydrating Moisturizing Cream, Facial Cleanser, Nourishing Facial Cleanser, Intense Repair Facial Cleanser, Hair Cleanser, Hair Conditioner and facial serum.
Green Forest Wellness Company has some major expansion plan for the future. Startup wants to set up Green Forest Wellness Clinic, where the patient will be given Ayurvedic medicine according to their problem in a natural way. Other plan includes establishing Green Forest Wellness Park, which will work in de-addicted of drug addicts. He also plans to setup Green Forest Veterinary Solution, where animals will be kept healthy through Ayurvedic methods and remedies sector.