The Handicrafts industry has been proven for decades to be the backbone of India’s rural economy, which was the worst hit during the pandemic. Indian handicrafts are a microcosm of our rich heritage and diverse cultures, which are in demand and highly valued all over the world for their beautiful designs and high-quality products. Handicrafts also generate significant forex for the country while preserving its cultural heritage. According to the Ministry of Textiles, handicrafts are growing steadily by 20 per cent each year. The sector is currently expected to employ 69 lakh craftsmen. Crafts and traditional handweaving are some of the key sectors that generate profitable economic activity in rural areas. In addition, India’s craft exports are expected to exceed Rs. 240 billion by 2022-23. Here are some of the startups that provide a platform for growing craftsmen and introducing their work to a wider extent in order to reach their full potential audience.
Craftezy:
Craftezy is a leading fully-managed B2B marketplace for Indian handicrafts products. It is an online handicraft trade platform that connects buyers from across the world to verified manufacturers and suppliers in India. It aims to provide a comprehensive solution for buyers and sellers by facilitating end-to-end operations in a seamless fashion through our e-marketplace. It also helps Indian manufacturers and wholesalers connect with International buyers. The work doesn’t end with just connecting them, they help the sellers make their catalogues more marketable, attractive, and professional by providing dedicated cataloguing team support. This startup helps them with logistics so they don’t have to worry about fulfilment or shipping, by partnering up with big logistics aggregators to provide much better pricing.
AuthIndia:
With AuthIndia, you can immerse yourself in the world of Indian handicrafts and works of art. Through this online trading platform, you can discover and sell all Indian handicrafts around the world. AuthIndia exhibits more than 15,000 handicrafts and attracts more than 30,000 website visitors every day. Their goal is to provide an online e-commerce platform for all merchants without the intervention of intermediaries. This will generate and serve all winnings without deduction. They carry a wide range of products such as Lucknow’s Chikan embroidery saree and suits, hand-woven sari from all over India, handmade jewellery, Gujarat embroidery kutch bags, and colourful and unique handicrafts from all over the country.
The India Craft House:
Starting in 2010, The India Craft House was set up with the sole objective of creating a fair price platform for artisans who have very limited access to any market, let alone global markets. It offers authentic Indian Crafts from across the sub-continent to domestic and global markets through an online portal as well as through direct offline sales of customised and bulk gifting orders for conferences, client gifting, events and various other segments. It aims to provide an undeniably unique selection of traditional art and craft translated into unique, attractive contemporary products, showcasing a wide selection of authentic Indian Crafts from every corner of the country, procured directly from the artisan or from NGO’s working closely with artisan groups.
QTrove:
Qtrove.com is a curated marketplace showcasing natural and sustainable products from small and medium-sized sellers. These products are non-factory produced and are chemical-free. Starting in 2016, it aspires to promote local sellers/entrepreneurs who make some unique products but are still waiting to be discovered beyond their immediate vicinity. Qtrove aspires to replace the mass-produced harmful products that you consume on a daily basis ( in your kitchen, in your bathroom and your living room) with our batch made products for a better and healthier tomorrow.
Afday:
Founded in 2019, Afday is a marketplace, craft, and maker community where people come together to buy, sell and interact. They are working to bring the world a little closer together. They discover the best designs from artisans and craftsmen from all over India and deliver them at an exceptional value to their members. They are connecting people to India’s most beautiful and handmade products. The platform consists of storytellers about amazing products and the people behind them. Afday focuses on products with unique, high-quality craftsmanship; unmistakably local designs that feel at home anywhere in the world. Their products include home decor, accessories, jewellery, apparel, gifts, vintage items, and more.