Lateral Sparks, the weekly quiz from YourStory, tests your domain knowledge, business acumen, and lateral thinking skills (see the previous edition here). In this 230th 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 Reviewsection as well, with takeaways from over 355 titles on creativity and entrepreneurship, and our weekend PhotoSparkssection on creativity in the arts.
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Q1: Train information
The Mumbai local train network ferries close to eight million commuters every day, but passengers have complained of lack of real-time information on schedules and delays. Where is the entrepreneurial opportunity here?
Q2: Product development
Consumer goods companies take an inordinately long time to develop a new product due to lengthy experimentation times across multiple labs and expensive infrastructure. How can these issues be tackled?
Q3: Travel services
Senior citizens have the time and money for travel, but have concerns about safety, pace and companionship. How can their concerns be effectively addressed?
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Q4: Breast cancer
Women face serious issues when it comes to breast cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and care. Early screening remains uneven and less accessible, and there is not much focus on rehabilitation solutions. How can these gaps be addressed?
Q5: Fashion innovation
Much of the AI innovation in fashion is focused on the front end. But other opportunities also lie elsewhere in the value chain. How can business value be delivered here?
Answers!
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: Train information
Founded by Lakhi Sakaria Chowdhary and Reeva Sakaria, the Yatri app has been developed in partnership with Indian Railways. It offers real-time train tracking using source-verified GPS data, with live updates on locations, delays, platform changes, and disruptions.
The app helps monitor changes due to derailments, track works, cancellations, and other complexities. Read more here about its schedule-based information for other public transport, and its business model for B2B data licensing.
A2: Product development
Founded by JP Mohanty, Ravinkumar S, Prathap Raj, and Beena Rai, Bettrlabs is a deeptech startup building an AI-powered R&D operating system for physical consumer goods. Its platform aims to streamline product development for FMCG industries.
It helps companies identify ingredients, create product formulations, and conduct regulatory checks digitally. Read more here about its ‘ingredient passport’ that analyses thousands of parameters associated with specific ingredients, and how it has onboarded 330 clients.
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A3: Travel services
Founded by Moneek Mehra and Nidhi Mehra, GoldenAgers.in offers thoughtful, companionship-led travel experiences for seniors. Its tour guides are emotional anchors who understand senior travelers’ need for confidence.
It embraces slow travel, senior-friendly accommodations, medical support, and group tours that are designed to foster genuine human connections. Read more here about how it also creates a safe space for women travelers, and has curated packages in India and Europe.
A4: Breast cancer
UE LifeSciences has developed a handheld device with an AI algorithm that can detect variations in breast tissue elasticity. Niramai Health Analytix has designed a tool that uses thermal imaging and machine learning to detect early signs of breast cancer, without physical contact.
Canfem is a social enterprise that provides affordable breast prostheses and mastectomy bras for breast cancer patients and survivors. Read more here about other companies like OncoStem Diagnostics that can evaluate the risk of cancer recurrence by analysing tumour biology.
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A5: Fashion innovation
Founded in 2025 by Narahari Payala and Aseem Chitkara, STCH is building AI-driven fabric R&D and a manufacturing platform. It helps global fashion brands develop and deliver trend-aligned, high-performing, sustainable fabrics at scale.
The founders have deep expertise in materials science and the supply chain realities of sustainable textiles, according to investor Mark Kahn of Omnivore. Read more about how STCH uses AI across its manufacturing network in Asia here.
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.
Original Article
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