Nagpur-based wellness startup Habuild, founded in March 2020 by IIT alumni Saurabh Bothra, Trishala Bothra, and Anshul Agrawal, focuses on promoting physical and mental well-being. The startup aims to help people adopt healthy lifestyles by cultivating lifelong habits such as yoga, meditation, and Zumba. Jaipur-based KARBAN Envirotech, founded in 2021 by husband-wife duo Karan Bansal and Tanya Goyal, introduced a bladeless ceiling fan that combines air purification, lighting, and IoT-enabled climate control, redefining indoor air quality management.
In 2019, Bharath Rankawat founded Enlog to offer AI-powered energy management and IoT solutions. Its product, Smi-Fi, is an AI-powered energy management system designed to enhance home and business electricity consumption. Priyanka Mohan is one of the few women who perform and teach Yakshagana, a traditional Indian theatre form.
She is passionate about continuing the art through her father’s organisation, Yakshadegula, and is building Tvarita, a collective aimed at making diverse art forms relevant to today’s generation. Overcoming polio and a fear of water, 43-year-old Geetha Kannan from Chennai is a Paralympic swimming champion. She won gold at the Tamil Nadu state-level Paralympic swimming championship held in March this year.
Founded in 2007, the Feminist Approach to Technology was established by Gayatri Buragohain, a passionate advocate of gender equality.
Celebrating women breaking barriers
She recognised the role of technology in shaping women’s lives and believes that equipping women with technological skills can help them break societal barriers, gain independence, and assert their voices in a rapidly evolving world.
The year ended with a downturn in the stock markets globally due to elevated US Treasury yields and the prospect of fewer US rate cuts in 2025. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was down 0.5%, while the Nifty 50 and other major indices also saw declines. Despite the market downturn, Indian companies achieved a record high in fundraising through bonds, raising $124.81 billion by December 27, a 9% increase over 2023, supported by declining yields and a stronger appetite for long-term notes.
Boeing’s shares dipped over 3% following South Korea’s order to inspect all B737-800 planes after a deadly crash involving Jeju Air. Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to permeate various sectors, offering solutions that range from lowering electricity bills and improving indoor air quality to blocking spam calls. The integration of AI in business operations was a significant trend in 2024.
This year also saw major movements in the edtech and fintech sectors. Edtech giants like BYJU’S faced challenges, including a significant devaluation, while fintech major Paytm struggled with regulatory issues. As we wrap up the year, it’s clear that 2024 has been a year of learning and transformation.
With a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and breaking barriers, these stories reflect the spirit of resilience and determination that defined this year.
