In a landmark event for India's creative economy, the Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) in Panjim recently witnessed the country's first major public investment pitch session dedicated exclusively to art and craft startups. Dubbed a "Shark Tank" for the artisan sector, the initiative by The Brij Incubator provided a vital platform for heritage-based enterprises to seek funding and mentorship, a resource often scarce in this domain.
A Platform for Heritage and Innovation
The event, titled "Investment Pitch Opportunity," was held on Friday, December 20, 2025, at the Old GMC Building within the festival grounds. It marked The Brij Incubator's first public foray into connecting early-stage creative ventures with potential investors and industry leaders. The incubator itself focuses on nurturing initiatives rooted in heritage, material innovation, and community-led practices.
Among the compelling ventures showcased was Golden Feathers, a fashion brand that transforms a waste product—chicken feathers from the poultry industry—into sustainable shawls and diaries. Founder Radhesh Agrahari's presentation highlighted how environmental challenges can be reimagined into viable material propositions, drawing steady visitor interest at his Art Park stall.
Entrepreneurs Pitch for Growth
Five entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to a distinguished jury panel. The participants included Shaun Motashaw of Rudhvay, which offers handcrafted apparel; Raipur-based Hasthkala creating art decor with artisans across India; Noida's Millimeter producing artisan-made collectables and tableware; and Goa-based Jhappi, which sources products from NGOs, including those supporting people with disabilities.
"On its own, startups can only reach a certain level and then they find it difficult to grow at an exponential pace. A platform like this certainly helps broaden the horizon. If we grow, the artisans will grow," explained Motashaw, underscoring the event's community impact.
Bridging Tradition and Entrepreneurship
The jury comprised influential figures such as DS Prashant, CEO of Startup and IT Promotion for the Goa government; Swati Salgaocar, Vice-Chairperson of CII Western Region; and Gaurav Majumdar from HCL Foundation. They provided considered feedback on each pitch, offering both accolades and scrutiny.
Sunil Kant Munjal, Founder Patron of Serendipity Arts and The Brij, articulated the incubator's mission: "The idea came from a simple realisation: India has an extraordinary depth of cultural knowledge and craft practice, but there are very few clear, structured pathways for these ideas to grow into sustainable, future-facing enterprises. The Incubator is our way of bridging that gap."
The session was notable for its presence at a major arts festival, typically a venue for finished works, thus acting as an inclusion site for business potential and grassroots innovation. Attendee Priya Fernandes, a Goa resident, expressed hope that such forums would help retain India's rich traditional crafts, which are often lost due to a lack of financial and mentorship support. She herself aspires to pitch in the future.
This pioneering pitch event at the Serendipity Arts Festival has set a significant precedent, demonstrating a growing institutional effort to marry craft tradition with entrepreneurial acumen and provide the artisan sector with the fighting edge it needs in the modern market.
