My startup contest
In 2019, Idea Britannia Marie Gold introduced the My Start Up initiative, which awarded INR 10 lakh each to the top 10 business ideas. The first season attracted 1.5 million submissions and achieved significant success, with some of the winning homemakers establishing thriving businesses. In its second season, the initiative expanded further, with Britannia Marie Gold partnering with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to offer the top 10,000 contestants an opportunity to participate in a certified online skill development program to refine their entrepreneurial skills.
Vijaynee Sahoo, who clinched the winner’s title in Season 1, received Rs 10 lakh in prize money. With her winnings, she opened a boutique and began empowering other women by teaching them sewing and offering them jobs. Her mother recalled how overjoyed Vijaynee was when she won, saying, "I always knew I had raised a fighter," highlighting her daughter's resilience in overcoming life's challenges. Now a talented fabric designer and proud owner of Shree Boutique in Odisha, Vijaynee credits her mother for motivating her to pursue independence. She expresses her fear of dependence on others, stating, “My mother always believed in me, and that's why I am here today."
Vijaynee aims to help women in Odisha achieve independence, insisting, “We women often confine ourselves mentally, unaware that we have the freedom to break free.” At Shree Boutique, she educates women in sewing and fabric design, allowing them to earn their own income once they gain confidence. She believes this empowerment boosts their self-assurance and motivates them to dream big. Vijaynee aspires to expand ‘Shree Boutique’ to every remote village in India where women need support, proudly stating, “This is just the beginning; there is much more to be done.”
For this year's digital media campaign, Britannia Marie Gold's agency, Wunderman Thompson (JWT), teamed up with the Tribal Box to highlight the inspiring stories of last year's winners, showcasing how the contest transformed their lives. This campaign also serves as the announcement for Season 2 of the Britannia Marie Gold My Startup Contest.