MUMBAI, India—Humane World for Animals India (formerly Humane Society International/India) has opened applications for the sixth edition of its Humane Entrepreneurship Program (HEP), India's only startup mentorship program dedicated exclusively to plant-based food innovation. The program supports early-stage entrepreneurs developing plant-based food innovations through expert guidance, business development support, investor connections and opportunities to compete for prize money from Humane World for Animals India.
Entrepreneurs in India are increasingly innovating across plant-based milk, cheese and meat alternatives, creating products that respond to evolving consumer preferences while reducing dependence on animal-derived ingredients.
The latest round of the initiative comes as India's alternative protein ecosystem continues to expand. “Reports suggest that over 113 plant–based food startups exist in the country,” said Mudra Parekh, specialist, Humane Entrepreneurship Program, Humane World for Animals India. “However, this is across different stages of the business, they are still learning the landscape, and they continue to face significant challenges. Many find it difficult to access technical expertise, mentorship and investor networks needed to grow their businesses.”
To address these gaps, HEP offers a combination of in-person bootcamps, a structured online acceleration sprint and guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, investors and global experts. The program concludes with a Demo Day, where participants present their business concepts to investors and industry leaders while competing for prize money from Humane World for Animals India.
"Building a successful startup requires much more than a good idea. Through HEP, we've sought to create an enabling ecosystem for entrepreneurs working in the plant-based sector, and it has been rewarding to see these pioneers and founders transform promising ideas into market-ready ventures over the past five cohorts. We look forward to supporting the next generation of innovators shaping the future of food and sustainable materials innovation in the fashion industry in India," said Parekh.
Of his own experience, Paras Jain, founder of Furrmate, part of the previous cohort, said: “HEP provided a fast-paced, high-impact environment that helped us bring clarity and structure to our startup journey. Especially being in the plant-based space, the program sharpened our thinking and improved how we communicate our vision. It’s a valuable program for entrepreneurs looking to move from idea to execution with confidence and build connections within the industry.”
Since its launch in 2020, HEP has supported 27 plant-based startups, helping founders refine their business models, scale their ventures, and connect with investors and industry experts. Notable participants include Promeat, Phyx44, Eori, Demolish Foods, Nomou and Oatey.
Startup founders interested in applying can find details on Humane World for Animals India's website for the program at www.humaneentrepreneurs.org
