Embracing the spirit of Pride Month, we understand your desire to embody all things queer, or rather, inclusivity, so we wanted to highlight some noteworthy startups that are making a difference in the LGBTQIA+ space.
Nurturing mental health
Recognizing a significant gap in mental health support for LGBTQIA+ people, Evolve was founded in 2020 to address this critical need. The mental health app is purpose-built for the LGBTQIA+ community, integrating principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into an easy-to-use interface. Their unwavering commitment to inclusivity is reflected in their curated content and resources that directly address the unique challenges LGBTQIA+ people face.
Rohan Arora, co-founder of Evolve, said: “Evolve is a virtual safe space where LGBTQIA+ people can explore mental health challenges without fear of judgement. We work closely with our users and queer-affirming therapists to ensure that our language, content and features align with the needs of our community. Our guided self-reflection sessions, which address issues like coming out and dealing with homophobia, offer structured, expert-led guidance. By involving our users in the beta testing and feedback process, we ensure our platform continually evolves to better serve our global user base.”
Circadian-Based Skin Care
Oteria has a unique approach to skincare that focuses on inclusivity and the natural rhythm of the individual. The gender-neutral brand believes skincare should be based on the body’s circadian rhythms, not gender identity. The company offers a comprehensive line of products designed to address the skin’s ever-changing needs throughout the day. Oteria advocates for breaking down stereotypes and creating a skincare routine based on skin type and concerns, providing effective products for a wide range of individuals.
“Our approach promotes realistic, holistic skin care without targeting fears, encouraging self-care habits and skin health awareness for everyone, regardless of gender. By adopting a gender-neutral philosophy, we only consider skin type and concerns, making our products effective and suitable for diverse individuals and their changing needs,” a brand spokesperson said.
Queer Fashion
Cosmic Jalebi is a super queer startup founded by Utkarsh and Syed. If you’re looking for a genderless fashion and lifestyle brand with super cute tote bags, check out Cosmic Jalebi’s wares on their website and Instagram. The bags come with cool tags like “Too Queer,” “Emotional Burden,” and “Cool Dad.” According to their website, they aim to build a community where people can celebrate each other regardless of gender identity, age, shape, or size.
Finding Love
Dating apps have revolutionized the way we connect, but many mainstream apps still struggle to be inclusive of LGBTQIA+ people. Kinly comes in to fill that gap. The dating app goes beyond binary to provide a safe, inclusive space for people of all genders, sexualities, and expressions to connect. Kinly offers a wide range of identity and expression options, allowing users to truly express themselves while searching for love, friendship, or simply a meaningful connection.
Comprehensive travel experience
Travel can be a life-changing experience, but traveling the world as an LGBTQIA+ person can be challenging. Brandie is a travel startup that takes the guesswork out of planning an LGBTQIA-friendly vacation. The company curates personalized travel experiences for individuals and groups, ensuring a safe and inclusive adventure. Whether exploring vibrant LGBTQIA+ nightlife in a bustling city or seeking a relaxing getaway at an intimate resort, Brandie connects LGBTQIA+ travelers with experiences that fit their needs and interests.
These are just a few examples of the many LGBTQIA+ startups that are making a positive impact on the world.
Inner Love
Founded by Shaivya Ramni and co-founded by Raj, Tilt is a small business specializing in gynecologist-recommended underwear designed to reduce the risk of infection. Made from natural fibers with three times the absorbency, these underwear effectively manage sweat, urine, secretions, and eliminate post-bath wetness. Ramni, a proud bisexual woman, acknowledges the initial hurdles in fundraising that arose from prejudice against a female-led venture in the underwear sector. Nevertheless, she now wholeheartedly embraces her identity and takes great pride in the innovative work coming out of Tilt. Explore the range of sizes and skin-friendly underwear on their Instagram page and website. The name Tilt, as aptly put by the founder, symbolizes the natural tendencies of the vagina and the breast.
This Pride Month, let’s celebrate not only the progress we’ve made so far, but also the future we’re imagining with innovative, impactful startups.
Published on: Sunday, June 23, 2024, 12:00 AM IST
