Closing the 6 degrees of separation

Get ready to cross paths with pan-India networks & enterprises

Embrace a space designed for true collaboration. From floor seating circles to open-air gatherings, expect formats that break down barriers, invite fresh perspectives, and celebrate shared ideas. Here, everyone has a voice - no hierarchies, just people connecting and creating together.

Speaker Spotlight 2024

Meet the global and local leaders co-creating at Kula. Get ready to engage, collaborate, and build new ideas alongside our delegates and speakers!

Huda
Jafar

Director, SELCO Foundation

Sumati
Mattu

CEO, Group Strategy Projects, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Ltd.

Ruchira
Das

Director Arts India, British Council India

Anita
Dongre

Founder,
House of Anita Dongre

Aditya
Agrawal

Co-Founder, P-TAL
Kula Advisory

Shilpa
Sharma

Founder, Breakaway Journeys
Kula Advisory

Roopa
Mehta

CEO, Sasha Association for Craft Producers

Mridula
Tangirala

Head - Tourism,
Tata Trusts

Vineet
Mahajan

Founder,
Viem Collective

Hyeyoung
Cho

Curator and Chairperson, The Korea Association of Art and Design

Mimi
Nicklin

Founder of Empathy Everywhere

Nitin
Mehrotra

CEO, Dressfolk

Mariyam
Kachwala

Sourcing & Impact, Powered by People

Sharon
Buteau

Executive Director,
LEAD at Krea University

Mahavir
Pratap Singh

TiE Angels

Sagar
Parikh

OCEN

Ankur
Mehta

Upaya Social Ventures

Pooja
Monga

Senior Investment Associate, Beyond Capital Venture

Manish
Saksena

Lead Advisor at Aadyam Handwoven

Shravan
Shankar

Co-Founder, Climake

Gaurav
Majumdar

Technical Lead- Skill Development & Livelihoods, HCL Foundation

Yamini
Telkar

Art Curator

Kanchana
K V

Chief Executive Officer, NICEorg

Nishit
Sangomla

Somaiya Kala Vidya
Kula Advisory

Yosha
Gupta

MeMeraki
Kula Advisory

Shruti
Singh

Fashion Revolution
Kula Advisory

Urvashi
Kaur

Urvashi Kaur
Kula Advisory

Nivedita
Rai

Karghewale
Kula Advisory

Payal
Nath

Kadam Haat
Kula Advisory

Lakshya
Arora

Desi Hangover
Kula Advisory

Mayura
Balasubramanium

Craftizen
Kula Advisory

Toolika
Gupta

Indian Institute of Craft & Design
Kula Advisory

Chaitsi
Ahuja

Brown Living
Kula Advisory

Sreejith
Nedumpally

Rope International
Kula Advisory

Sharada
Kerkar

Museum of Goa
Kula Advisory

Gaurav Jai
Gupta

Akaaro
Kula Advisory

Karthik
Vaidyanathan

Varnam Craft Collective
Kula Advisory

Rafael
Pereira

Executive Trustee,
India Music Exchange

Aditya
Gupta

Group CEO of Sharda Exports,
The Rug Republic

Karishma
Shahani Khan

Founder, Ka-sha

Bhavik
Vasa

Founder,
GetVantage

Nandita
Sharma

Lead- Social Sector,
Open Network for Digital Commerce

Amit
Garg

Partner,
Impact Lens

Ritika
Gandhi

Vertical Lead and Deputy Group Manager,
Titan Company Limited

Nidhi
Podar

Creative Women

Deepanshu
Khandelwal

CEO,
Catalyst AIC

James
Alden

Investor Engagement Specialist,
Canopy

Anandana
Kapur

Director,
Cinemad India eDeviTM

Sonica
Sarna

Founder,
Projecthrive

Aditya
Pandey

Next Bharat Ventures

Smriti
Rajgarhia

Director,
Serendipity Arts Foundation

Rahul Noble
Singh

Strategic Advisor/Director,
Desi Oon & Rangsutra Crafts India 

Neelam
Pandita

AVP-ESG and CSR,
Blacksoil Capital Private Limited

Kinjal
Sampat

Senior Consultant,
Indian Institute for Human Settlements

Rahul
Bhaik

Volunteer,
iSPIRT

Mrudul
Pathak Kundu

Editor,
ELLE DECOR

Subodh
Kerkar

Founder,
Museum of Goa

Dr. Vipin
Kumar

Chief Scientist / Former Director,
National Innovation Foundation-India

Dr. Vipin
Kumar

Chief Scientist / Former Director,
National Innovation Foundation-India

Dr. Vipin
Kumar

Chief Scientist / Former Director,
National Innovation Foundation-India

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Kula Conclave ‘24 Agenda

From lightbulb moments to breakthroughs — all in one place.

Peer-to-peer learning on navigating complex business challenges & capital needs.

  • Founders for Founders: Capital and Compliance
  • Co-Creating Pathways with and for Next-Gen Artisans
  • Catalysing Pro-Climate Innovations: From Materials to Value Chains
  • Metrics That Matter for Green and Inclusive Futures

A platform for open dialogues and shared learning among diverse craft stakeholders.

  • Craft Modern: A Conversation with Goa-based Homegrown Brands
  • Impact Failures in Textiles and Crafts by SELCO Foundation

Connecting mentors, mentees, investors, and founders — fast-tracking partnerships that matter.

  • Mentor - Mentee Matchmaking
  • Investors for Investors: Future-Forward Approaches to Investing in Handmade
  • Inclusive Leadership and the Need for a New Form of Connection by Mimi Nicklin
  • Power of Brand and Storytelling by Vineet Mahajan
  • Crafting Circularity - Strengthening the Upcycling Economy by Fashion Revolution
  • Enterprise Speak: Understanding Innovation-led Craft Futures
  • Investor Speak: Role of Capital in Catalysing Innovation for Craft-led Impact

Peer-to-peer learning on navigating complex business challenges & capital needs.

  • The Role of Innovative Financing to Power Craft-led Enterprises
  • B2B Market Access and Approaches for Organised Retail
  • Women for Women: A Gender-Lens Approach to Talking, Taking and Giving Money
  • From Low-Tech to AI: Building Tech-Led Efficiencies in Craft-Value Chains

A platform for open dialogues and shared learning among diverse craft stakeholders.

  • Sensitivity & Innovation in the Handloom Ecosystem for creating a Global Perspective
  • Founders for Founders: Capital, Community, & Well-being
  • Craft x Capital x Community for Sustainable Fashion

Connecting mentors, mentees, investors, and founders — fast-tracking partnerships that matter.

  • Investor - Investee Matchmaking
  • Future Pathways for Education: Co-Creating with and for Next-Gen Artisans
  • Craft-Based Linkages for Regenerative Tourism and Urban Development

Delegates came together to unwind, share stories, and savor local flavors. A toast to new friendships and the inspiring work we’ve built together!

  • Ecosystem Building for Handmade - Power of Global-Local Collaborations
  • Why Invest in India's Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurs

Peer-to-peer learning on navigating complex business challenges & capital needs.

  • The Business Model is the Message: The Many Approaches to Inclusion
  • Founders for Founders | Capital, Community, Mental Well-Being
  • Design x Art x Craft Intersections for Building Brand "Handmade in India'
  • Partnerships for Scale: The Role of CSR and Social Procurement
  • Creative Impact Media: What Content, Design and Storytelling Can Do

Kula 2024 Installations

We invite you to engage, share, and most importantly invest in innovations from the craft sector that hold immense potential to create positive social, cultural, and economic impact.

Terracota Changemakers

by Dolon Kundu & MeMeraki

"Terracotta Changemakers" is a narrative of social innovation, where art creates impact. Featuring Dolon Kundu’s Durga sculpture, it embodies strength, resilience, and her mission to train 250 women in clay moulding. Donate and join their journey toward sustainable livelihoods and economic independence.

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The Artisan’s Digital Renaissance:

by MeMeraki

These paintings, showcasing art forms like Mata-ni-pachedi, Cheriyal Scroll, and Kalighat, delve into the intersection of traditional crafts, technology, and women’s empowerment. The curated works reflect the evolution of artisanal economies, from being drivers of modern-day skills to offering future-forward road-maps for work-life balance. Explore MeMeraki’s platform connecting 3000+ crafts to modern possibilities.

Scan the QR code to interact with these paintings in Augmented Reality

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At Home: An Artist Residency for Artisans

by Porgai and Anshu Arora

Guided by minimal prompts and unbounded creativity, ten Lambadi women artisans transformed traditional embroidery into globally acclaimed masterpieces during a residency curated by Anshu Arora and Dr. Lalitha, Co-founder of Porgai. Each piece reflects their deep connection with nature.

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Weave the Change: A Kadam Haat Experience

by Kadam Haat

This installation highlights nine natural fibers like Sitalpati and Sabai, showcasing basketry as a tale of resilience in nature. Kadam Haat’s impact includes carbon capture, waste reduction, and rural livelihoods, reviving traditional crafts while empowering 1,100 artisans and generating ₹18 million income in over 21 months.

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Pracheen

by Aadyam Handwoven

Pracheen is a textile atelier dedicated to preserving the art of handloom textiles, offering a curated collection of timeless masterpieces co-created with India’s exceptionally skilled artisans. This atelier reimagines textiles as living art, co-created with artisans, combining tradition and innovation for timeless socio-cultural impact.

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Material Memory Form

by Urvashi Kaur

Urvashi Kaur’s ‘Material Memory Form’ revives damaged textiles into meaningful expressions byy using indigenous techniques like ‘Rafu’ and ‘Patchwork’. At Urvashi Kaur, restoration becomes a metaphor for healing, reconnecting with roots and reclaiming lost identities. The brand integrates technology to offer transparency, tracing each piece from fabric to form.

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Flo-dust Photo booth

by Craftizen

Craftizen offers an immersive sensory experience through their Photo booth, showcasing their proprietary material ‘Flo-Dust’, a unique recycled material made by blending fine paper discards with dried flower powder. Developed in-house, Flo-Dust is biodegradable, energy-efficient, and therapeutic, while supporting dignified livelihoods for Craftizen’s Petalists—artisans with intellectual disabilities.

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Kula Innovate Award Ceremony

Celebrating craft-led entrepreneurs leading the way in Innovation, Impact, and Inclusive Growth

Kula Innovate Winners
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Handmade Products, Handpicked for the Kula Goodie Bag

Bag Charms

The Mango House, Goa

The Mango House Trust aims to showcase 'Made in Goa' crochet on the global craft map, celebrating this timeless art form. By providing training, skill development, and market support, the trust empowers over 50 women to transform their lives through crochet. This year, seven artisans created bag charms for the Kula Goodie bag, symbolising their resilience and artistry.

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Tote Bags

Rangsutra Crafts, Rajasthan

Rangsutra, an artisan-led collective, blends traditional Indian crafts with modern design, sharing authentic stories through handcrafted pieces for global retailers. With over 2,000 artisans across India, this year’s Tote Bag is handwoven by 27 artisans in Napasar and Lunkaransar, Rajasthan, using certified BCI cotton. Upcycled lanyards crafted by six skilled women artisans add a distinctive, sustainable touch

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Bamboo Pens

Uravu India, Wayanad, Kerala

Uravu Indigenous Science & Technology Study Centre is a non-profit empowering rural communities through sustainable bamboo initiatives. Working with 15+ self-help groups, Uravu supports over 1,000 individuals. For the Kula Goodie Bag, 10 women artisans have handcrafted bamboo pens, highlighting their skill, knowledge of natural materials, and dedication to sustainable alternatives.

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Lip Balm

The Last Forest, Nilgiris, South India

Last Forest champions wild forest produce gathered by indigenous communities in Kotagiri, in South India’s Nilgiris. Each product celebrates nature’s richness and the hands that gather it. By nurturing local harvests, Last Forest fosters sustainable growth, blending tradition and innovation. The Goodie bag’s lip balms are crafted with care by 10 women artisans from the Nilgiris, embodying eco-conscious living.

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Bookmarks

Miharu, West Bengal

Miharu revitalises the ancient 4,000-year-old Dhokra metal casting technique, native to West Bengal, Orissa, and Chhattisgarh—where the famous Mohenjo Daro dancing girl originated. As a Craftmark-certified social venture, Miharu supports eight Dhokra families and eight weavers, blending craftsmanship with contemporary design. This year, two Dhokra families and three in-house artisans handcrafted unique bookmarks for the Kula tribe.

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Diary

Loomkatha, Aurangabad, Maharshtra

LoomKatha celebrates India’s weaving legacy, showcasing handloom traditions for discerning markets. Central to its mission is the Himroo Revival Project, dedicated to reviving the endangered Himroo craft. Four skilled Himroo weavers created intricate designs for the diaries, with four tailors and binders bringing them to life. LoomKatha supports master weavers, nurtures new artisans, and envisions a world-class studio in Aurangabad.

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Malavankar cashews

Zero Posro, Goa

Zero Posro, founded by Jonah Fernandes in Bardez, Goa, is a mobile eco-initiative delivering locally sourced rice, vegetables, fruits, and spices via an electric vehicle. Embracing the zero-waste approach supports farmers and promotes mindful consumption for environmental protection and poverty reduction. Locally grown 'Malavankar' cashews come directly from two farming families in Torxem, reinforcing community-driven sustainable food practices.

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Potlis

Adivpure Nature, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Adiv Pure Nature, based in Mumbai, specialises in natural dyeing and creative recycling, transforming temple offerings, coconut shells, onion skins, and herbs into beautiful products. Founded with just two kitchen pots, it now empowers 22 self-taught artisans from challenging backgrounds, providing employment and creative freedom. The potlis in the Goodie bag are handcrafted by two artisans, who meticulously hand-dyed and stitched each bag.

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Sunglass case

Rajiben Vankar with Kaarigar Clinic, Kutch, Gujarat

Rajiben Vankar, a fourth-generation textile weaver and artisan entrepreneur empowered by Kaarigar Clinic, upcycles single-use plastic bags into beautifully handcrafted utility items. Each metre of hand-woven fabric incorporates 70 plastic bags, and Rajiben has upcycled 10 million bags to date. What started as a family effort now supports 15 women artisans. Rajiben and her team blended traditional skills with circular practices to create The Sunglass Case for the Kula community.

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Organization Spotlight

Some of the esteemed organisations that are attending our conclave

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and many others...

Our Sponsors and Partners

Vision Partner

Network Support Partner

Innovation Partner

Program Partner

Ecosystem Partners