The name Karishma Mehta is renowned in India for its association with empowerment and storytelling. Karishma, the founder and CEO of Humans of Bombay (HoB), India's largest storytelling platform and a major startup company to invest in, has revolutionized our understanding of human stories. She has provided a platform for many people, particularly women, to share their stories without much public attention.
The Human Ancestry and Genesis
Karishma Mehta completed a double major in Business and Economics at the University of Nottingham, which marked the beginning of her academic journey. Post-graduation, she took a six-month sabbatical to reflect on her life, and it was during this period that she founded Humans of Bombay in January 2014. Inspired by Humans of New York, she noticed a gap in India’s digital storytelling space and decided to create a platform that shared the untold stories of everyday people in Mumbai.
The platform connects with millions through Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where Karishma hosts “How the Hell Did I Do It?” a show that features inspirational interviews with entrepreneurs and celebrities like Aamir Khan and MBA Chaiwala. Humans of Bombay quickly became a cultural phenomenon, highlighting more than 6,000 powerful stories about love, loss, and resilience.
The story of Karishma also exemplifies the power of manifestation. At a TEDx talk, she described how in 2014, she set her social media passwords to phrases like "Forbes 2016" and went on to manifest her dream of being recognized by the prestigious magazine. In April 2016, she featured on three pages of Forbes Asia.
Karishma on Shark Tank India
Karishma Karishma’s entrepreneurial journey took another exciting turn when she appeared as an investor on Shark Tank India, along with other ace investors India like Anupam Mittal, Aman Gupta, Vineeta Singh, Namita Thapar and Peyush Bansal.
Karishma’s role on Shark Tank India is not just about investing in businesses, but about understanding the emotional and personal journeys behind them. She values authenticity and passion in the entrepreneurs she invests in and is particularly focused on supporting ventures that align with her core belief of empowerment, inclusivity and social change.
Her experience as a storyteller gives her an edge in recognizing businesses that can connect with audiences at a deeper level. Karishma’s presence on Shark Tank India reflects her dedication to promoting sustainable and human-driven entrepreneurship, proving that empathy and emotional intelligence are just as crucial in the business world as numbers and strategies.
Beyond her digital success, Karishma Mehta has been using her platform to support causes that matter. In one instance, she helped raise over Rs. 6.5 lakh in under 12 hours for Kranti, an NGO supporting the children of sex workers. It shows her belief in the power of stories to spark change, especially in empowering marginalized communities.
Her work has not only made her a respected entrepreneur but also an advocate for women’s empowerment in India’s startup ecosystem. Karishma’s ability to blend business acumen with emotional intelligence has made her a unique figure, capable of investing in ideas that resonate with both people and profit.
Looking Ahead?
She plans to make her platform multi-lingual and create new formats such as podcasting and video series. Her journey from being just a curious college student to becoming a leading entrepreneur and investor is inspiring for all, especially women investors.
Karishma Mehta has proved that stories can change the lives of people. She continues to redefine storytelling, empower individuals, and connect communities through Humans of Bombay. Her work reflects her belief that any dream is too big and that no story is too small.
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