Kolkata, once celebrated as the intellectual capital of India, is quietly undergoing a transformation. Known for its literary richness, colonial architecture, and political legacy, the city is embracing a new identity: an emerging hotspot for startup companies in Kolkata and the broader Eastern India region. Unlike Bengaluru’s frenetic pace or Gurgaon’s corporate sheen, Kolkata’s startup ecosystem is grassroots, gritty, and deeply community-driven.
While it may not yet rival other metros in scale, Kolkata’s startup landscape is evolving rapidly in diversity and depth. From fintech and edtech to food delivery and sustainable fashion, a wave of new ventures is entering sectors often overlooked in larger markets. Here, startups are born not just for scale, but for purpose—driven by conviction and creativity.
“This ecosystem is further supported by platforms like IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, NASSCOM 10,000 Startups, and local funding networks such as the Calcutta Angels Network. These initiatives are nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs who aren’t bound by the stereotypes of metro success stories and are playing a pivotal role in revitalizing Kolkata’s economy through innovation and job creation.”
In this article, we explore why Kolkata is emerging as a startup hub, highlight 10 standout startup companies in Kolkata, examine the challenges local founders face, and spotlight the growing opportunities for young professionals in this resilient and culturally rich city.
Why Startup Companies in Kolkata Are Driving the City’s Emergence as a Startup Hub
Academic Capital and Talent Pipeline
Kolkata is steeped in an old tradition of intellectual excellence, with institutions such as IIM Calcutta, Jadavpur University, Presidency University, and St. Xavier’s College. These establishments bring forth a constant supply of engineers, economists, designers, and business managers who are increasingly looking towards startups for fulfilling work experiences.
Cost-Effective Business Environment
In contrast to Bengaluru, Mumbai, or Gurgaon, the price of establishing a startup in Kolkata is still relatively low. Office space rents, operational costs, and salaries are reasonably priced, allowing bootstrapped founders to fund their startups for longer periods and experiment without crippling burn rates.
Expanding Investor and Accelerator Network
Incubators such as the IIMC Innovation Park, NASSCOM’s warehouse initiatives, and forums like the Bengal Global Business Summit have helped expose early-stage start-ups from Eastern India. Calcutta Angels Network and national venture capital firms have started adding Kolkata to their investment geography maps, albeit hesitantly.
Strong Cultural Ethos of Innovation
The city’s culture of innovative thinking, literature, and design finds its echo in its startups, which are often design-led, content-first, or mission-driven. The tech may be lean but the vision is deep and well-crafted.
List of Top Startup Businesses in Kolkata
Following are ten promising startups either based or founded from Kolkata. The startups cut across industry segments, ranging from mobility and finance to food and e-commerce, showcasing Kolkata’s evolving startup DNA.
1. Wow! Momo
- Founded: 2008
- Industry: FoodTech / QSR
- Headquarters: Kolkata
Wow! Momo started as a college project by two students of St. Xavier’s College and is today one of India’s fastest-growing QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) brands. What is unique about Wow! Momo is its indigenous, mono-product approach to momos — a Himalayan dumpling being turned into a scalable national food brand. Innovation forms the backbone at Wow! Momo, which now has hundreds of units spread over India and has also expanded into Wow! China and Wow! Chicken.
Like many startup companies in Kolkata, the growth of the company was initially bootstrapped, followed by a scale-up phase backed by external funding from investors such as Tiger Global and Lighthouse Funds. With plans to go public, the company also explored cloud kitchens and established delivery partnerships with Swiggy and Zomato.
Key Services:
- In-store QSR dining experience
- Cloud kitchen delivery operations
- Product innovation (Chocolate momo, MoBurg, etc.)
- Expansion into pan-Asian cuisine under Wow! China
2. iKure Techsoft
- Founded: 2010
- Industry: HealthTech
- Headquarters: Kolkata
iKure is a health-tech venture working to deliver affordable and accessible primary healthcare to rural India. The firm built a cloud-based, data-driven platform that links unserved populations with trained doctors through mobile health camps and AI-based diagnostics. iKure has operations in more than 8 states and has touched over a million lives, working with NGOs, governments, and corporates to scale healthcare reach.
Their technology infrastructure is made to operate in locations with poor internet connectivity, allowing continuous data syncing upon regaining connectivity. The firm has been recognized globally by the World Economic Forum and Gates Foundation for its inclusive and scalable approach.
Key Services:
- Basic healthcare services in rural locations
- Artificial intelligence-powered health risk screening
- Data analysis for epidemiological surveys
- Remote physician-patient consultations
3. InSync Tech-Fin Solutions
- Founded: 2006
- Industry: SaaS / ERP Integration
- Headquarters: Kolkata
InSync enables eCommerce companies to automate their operations with a robust product named APPSeCONNECT — a hybrid integration platform that integrates ERPs such as SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, and Oracle with eCommerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento.
Among the leading startup companies in Kolkata, InSync, founded by Atul Gupta, has grown organically to serve customers in over 75 countries. The company specializes in helping small and mid-sized enterprises scale their digital operations without the need to replace existing ERP systems. With over 100 pre-built connectors, InSync has positioned itself as a global B2B SaaS provider headquartered in Kolkata.
Key Services:
- APPSeCONNECT integration platform
- Custom ERP-eCommerce solutions
- Technical consulting for digital commerce
- Partner ecosystem for channel sales
4. Tortoise
- Founded: 2021
- Sector: FinTech
- Headquarters: Kolkata
Tortoise is a fintech startup that promotes goal-oriented saving by incentivizing users who save towards purchases in the future such as gadgets, holidays, or designer things. Users select an item they desire, make a savings commitment between 3–12 months, and get cashbacks or partner discounts upon achievement. It’s a behavioral savings app that makes delayed gratification a game.
Initiated by former bank and fintech experts, Tortoise takes advantage of a B2C model for retail savers and a B2B2C model for brands and eCommerce companies seeking to drive customer retention.
Key Services:
- Reward and goal-based savings
- Product-linked savings plans
- Cashback and brand partnerships
- Embedded finance for eCommerce
5. Pickrr
- Founded: 2015
- Industry: LogisticsTech / eCommerce Enablement
- Headquarters: Kolkata (operationally headquartered in Gurugram as well)
Pickrr is an automation logistics platform facilitating eCommerce sellers in end-to-end shipping without handling individual courier partners. Although the company has a significant presence in Gurugram, its origin and initial workings are associated with Kolkata. Pickrr offers AI-based order allocation, real-time tracking, and NDR (non-delivery report) management that enhances order fulfillment ratios for D2C brands and online retailers.
As one of the prominent startup companies in Kolkata, Pickrr offers a platform that brings together top delivery partners like Delhivery, Blue Dart, Shadowfax, and FedEx—helping small and medium-sized sellers reduce logistics costs and scale efficiently. The platform also provides warehousing, pick-pack-ship solutions, and data analysis tools. Although Pickrr was acquired by Shiprocket in 2022, it continues to operate independently and serves thousands of sellers across the country.
Key Services:
- Multi-courier logistics management
- AI-driven delivery routing and order optimization
- NDR and return order management
- Warehousing and fulfillment solutions
6. Rare Planet
- Established: 2015
- Industry: Handicrafts / D2C
- Head office: Kolkata
Rare Planet is a young entrepreneur company that supports Indian craftspeople by selling handcrafted items — pottery, home decor, journals, mugs, and many more — through eCommerce as well as offline means. Founded by a teenager from Kolkata, Rare Planet engages itself in saving diminishing art forms by providing rural craftspeople with an international market.
The firm has grown through airport retail counters and web portals such as Amazon, Flipkart, and its own D2C website. With more than 2000 artisans to its credit, Rare Planet is creating a distinctive niche in sustainable, culture-based commerce.
Key Services:
- Handcrafted lifestyle products
- Pan-India eCommerce delivery
- Airport and offline kiosks
- Artisan training and community impact
7. Klikk
- Founded: 2020
- Industry: OTT Streaming / Entertainment
- Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal
Klikk is an OTT (over-the-top) streaming service released by Angel Television Pvt. Ltd., a century-old and leading content house of Bengal. Established in 2020, Klikk entered the scene when regional content viewing in India was booming, and viewers were craving more culture-oriented, language-specific entertainment. The platform is headquartered in Kolkata and was founded to cater to Bengali-speaking audiences worldwide with a premium, subscription-based streaming service.
Klikk’s inventory features a vibrant blend of Bengali films, web series, short films, and documentaries. It has also heavily invested in original content—be it in genres ranging from thrillers to dramas, romance, horror, and crime—to establish itself as a serious player against the likes of Hoichoi. With its content having prominent regional actors and directors, Klikk hopes to elevate the digital space for Bengali cinema and storytelling. The application is available across a range of devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs for access both urban and rural markets.
Besides the entertainment for commercial purposes, Klikk has established a niche through showcasing lesser-known independent creators and film festival content, establishing it as a platform not only for entertainment but for creative Bengali expression as well.
Key Services:
- Bengali OTT streaming by subscription
- Original web series, short films, and feature films
- Multi-device availability (mobile, web, smart TVs)
Suggested Read: Startup Companies in Gurgaon
8. Anaxee Digital Runners
- Founded: 2016
- Sector: FieldTech / Digital Verification
- Headquarters: Indore (Operations in Kolkata)
Headquartered in Indore, however, Anaxee has a significant presence in Kolkata because of its expanding East India operations. The company automates remote onboarding via its 40,000-member on-ground runner network, assisting NBFCs, fintechs, and telecos to carry out KYC, address verification, and product deliveries in rural and semi-urban India.
Among the rapidly growing startup companies in Kolkata, their proprietary FieldApp enables real-time task assignment and tracking, significantly minimizing operational leakage. The company experienced exponential growth after COVID, as businesses increasingly sought reliable remote verification and secure document collection solutions.
Key Services:
- Field verification and data capture
- Digital KYC for online customers
- Rural reach through agent network
- Task management platform FieldApp
9. StockEdge
- Founded: 2016
- Sector: FinTech / Stock Market Learning
- Headquarters: Kolkata
StockEdge is an app for stock market analysis that enables retail investors with data-backed insights, scans, and learning solutions. Developed by the same group of people responsible for Elearnmarkets, the app has screeners, sectoral trends analysis, technical indicators, and portfolio tracking.
Its easy-to-use interface and local language content enable access to stock education for new investors. The startup has more than 2 million downloads and is rapidly becoming the preferred tool for retail trading in India.
Key Services:
- Stock and mutual fund screeners
- Tools of technical and fundamental analysis
- Portfolio tracking
- Learning modules through Elearnmarkets
10. Shyam Future Tech
- Year of establishment: 2018
- Industry: IT Services / Digital Solutions
- Headquarter: Kolkata
Shyam Future Tech, a subsidiary of the Shyam Group, develops web and mobile applications for SMEs in India and internationally. Shyam Future Tech is focused on ERP, CRM, mobile apps, and digital transformation solutions for established businesses. With its presence established in the Middle East and Africa, it offers customized SaaS products integrated with the workflows of the clients.
“Though supported by a veteran conglomerate, the digital arm works like a nimble startup and boasts of developing tailored products for small businesses neglected by large IT companies in Kolkata and beyond.”
Key Services:
- Custom app and software development
- ERP/AI CRM tools implementation
- Cloud solutions for SMEs
- Global project delivery in niche spaces
Challenges Confronted by Startups in Kolkata
Even with the growth, Kolkata’s startup scene confronts its own limitations:
- Constrained Investor Base: With fewer VCs and angels compared to Bengaluru or NCR, some innovative startups are compelled to shift bases to metros for Series A/B funding.
- Brain Drain: Senior graduates flock out in search of higher compensation packages, thereby restricting talent pools for early-stage companies.
- Infrastructure Bottlenecks: Internet speeds, power outages, and logistics tend to be spotty in the city’s outer areas.
- Slow Technology Adoption: Small businesses tend to be reluctant to adopt new technology, hindering SaaS and B2B startup growth.
Career Prospects for Kolkata’s Startup Culture
Kolkata’s startup culture is no longer merely an entrepreneurial hub, it’s fast becoming fertile soil for professionals who are looking for speeded-up career trajectories. While Kolkata’s corporate world clings to traditionalism, its startup culture is a welcome alternative with flatter hierarchies, quicker promotions, and varied learning gradients.
Startups in Kolkata are designed to be lean. That is, each team member, fresh from college or a mid-level manager, gets to take on actual responsibility. In Kolkata startups, employees get exposed to more than one business function at a time: ranging from product ideation and customer feedback to marketing launches or pitching to investors. This cross-training makes the talent in Kolkata startups versatile, quick learners, and well-rounded professionals.
One of the special strengths within this environment is access to founders. In bigger cities, decision-makers are layers removed; in Kolkata’s startups, employees are able to engage directly with leadership. This environment of mentorship facilitates the development of strategic thinking and a culture of innovation and accountability.
Additionally, with the city witnessing growing action in healthtech, D2C brands, edtech, and logistics platforms, opportunities for diverse jobs are opening up rapidly. Most startups also partner with local colleges and universities, establishing internship-to-hire pipelines and cultivating local talent.
Jobs in Demand
The most in-demand roles in the startup ecosystem of Kolkata are:
- Content & Marketing Strategists – Critical to D2C brands, regional tech platforms, and early-stage apps who need high-impact storytelling and digital growth.
- Frontend Developers & Flutter Engineers – With app development and mobile-first tech on the rise, these professionals are still central to scaling operations.
- Business Development Executives – Critical within logistics, SaaS, and B2B marketplaces for securing sales and partnerships.
- Health & AgriTech Field Officers – Especially in startups dealing with ground-level implementation, field data, and last-mile services.
- UI/UX Designers – Required across industries to make user-centric design an ongoing priority while developing products.
These are not roles exclusive to core tech or marketing. Operations, HR, finance, customer support, and design also have robust hiring trends — providing a balanced mix for professionals from technical and non-technical sides alike.
Salary Trends
- Freshers: ₹3–6 LPA — With other perks like mentorship, early equity, and ESOPs
- Mid-level Professionals: ₹8–15 LPA — Particularly in technology, growth marketing, and BD
- Senior Roles: ₹18–25 LPA — For those taking charge of engineering, operations, or core business units
Compared to metro cities such as Bengaluru or Gurgaon, startup companies in Kolkata typically offer lower fixed salaries. However, they often compensate with flexible working hours, blended job roles, ESOPs (Employee Stock Options), and performance-based bonuses. More importantly, the rapid growth pace of these firms means employees can rise quickly—sometimes heading entire departments within just 2–3 years of joining.
Kolkata’s startup ecosystem doesn’t provide just a job — it provides trajectory. For working professionals who cherish creativity, ownership, and rapid learning, it’s one of India’s most underappreciated but high-growth job markets.
Challenges for Startups in Kolkata
The ecosystem is expanding, however, Kolkata still has its own particular difficulties relative to more developed startup cities.
- Limited Access to VC Funding: Most large VC firms still lack an office in Kolkata, and founders must travel to Delhi or Mumbai for meetings. Seed money is available, but Series A/B rounds are still tough to obtain locally.
- Conservative Business Culture: Some families and professionals in Kolkata like traditional jobs in the government or corporates. This conservative approach sometimes means fewer local early adopters or startup employees.
- Infrastructure Delays: Though Salt Lake and New Town provide good connectivity, regular power outages and slower internet in some areas still present operational issues for SaaS and remote teams.
Conclusion
Startup companies in Kolkata may not be producing unicorns at the same pace as Bangalore or Mumbai, but they are growing methodically and with clear intent—focusing on sustainable, regional-first products with global potential. From QSR to fintech, handicrafts to healthcare, these ventures are carving a niche while staying true to Kolkata’s legacy of depth, quality, and tenacity.
For aspiring founders, Kolkata offers a low-burn, nurturing environment to test ideas. For professionals, it delivers work-life balance alongside an expanding spectrum of meaningful roles. And for investors, it remains a sleeping giant—quietly building a strong foundation of talent, innovation, and opportunity.
FAQs
Q1. Is Kolkata a good city to start a startup in India?
Yes, particularly for regional businesses and ideas that need lean operations and smart but affordable talent.
Q2. Do government startup schemes exist in Kolkata?
Yes, the West Bengal government provides relief under its Startup Bengal program, including grants, subsidies, and incubator collaborations.
Q3. Which sectors are flourishing in Kolkata startups?
Healthtech, edtech, logistics, D2C brands, and fintech are some of the most rapidly expanding verticals.
Q4. Are Kolkata startups recruiting freshers?
Yes, particularly in technology, marketing, operations, and content. Several startups also provide paid internships that get converted into full-time employment.
Q5. What is the work culture like in Kolkata’s startups?
Work culture is more human-oriented and balanced than the hyper-fast grind of Delhi or Bangalore startups.
