How these startups are using AI, robotics, and sustainability to solve industry challenges

The latest edition of YourStory’s ‘Lateral Sparks’ quiz showcases how startups are tackling challenges in education, logistics, fashion, and workplace efficiency with AI, robotics, and sustainable materials. From affordable tutoring platforms to autonomous robots and eco-friendly textiles, these founders are redefining industry standards.

AI-powered tutoring for the mass market

According to YourStory, Arivihan, founded by Ritesh Singh Chandel, Sonu Kumar, and Rushabh Kothari, is an automated tutoring platform that uses AI to deliver personalized education. The platform combines interactive video lessons, doubt-solving features, and adaptive study plans that adjust based on a student’s performance. It also offers vernacular language support, making it accessible to a broader audience at mass-market price points.

Autonomous robots for logistics

Ottonomy, co-founded by Ritukar Vijay, uses autonomous robots to address challenges in last-mile and intra-campus logistics. The startup’s robots transport medicines, spare parts, and critical supplies for clients such as Wellstar Kennestone hospital and Sodexo, a food services company. Ottonomy operates on a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) subscription model, integrating contextual AI to optimize operations.

Sustainable fashion innovations

Several startups are reimagining fashion by using alternative materials to reduce environmental impact. Beej, founded by Arundhati Kumar, creates fashion products from pineapple leaves, cork, and cactus. FOReT, led by Supriya Shirsat Satam, produces handbags, wallets, and totes using banana bark. Meanwhile, Sanajing Sana Thambal, founded by Bijiyashanti Tongbram, turns lotus stems into accessories.

Green Hermitage, co-founded by Gayatri Varun and Anubhav Pratap Rai, focuses on luxury accessories using plant-based materials. The brand also offers end-of-use return programs to minimize waste.

AI-driven workflow automation

Ema, founded by Surojit Chatterjee, uses AI to automate workflows across functions like human resources and finance. The platform has helped enterprises like Wipro automate over 100 workflows and handle 2.9 million employee queries annually. According to YourStory, Ema reduced response times from days to seconds and increased employee satisfaction by 20%. The startup has raised funding from investors including Creaegis, Accel, S32, and Prosus.

Automating email management

Sol, founded by Anish Karan, Prateek Srivastava, and Ranjith Nair, automates email management for professionals in sales, marketing, consulting, and recruiting. The platform handles tasks such as researching, creating documents, building slides, scheduling meetings, and drafting replies. Sol has secured funding from investors like General Catalyst, Nexus Venture Partners, DeVC, and Peercheque.

The rise of deeptech in enterprise reinvention

YourStory highlights how deeptech startups are driving a new era of enterprise reinvention. Autonomous technologies, like those developed by Ottonomy and Ema, are enabling businesses to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. These innovations reflect a broader shift toward practical, scalable applications of AI and robotics in traditional industries.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

This roundup of startup innovations highlights a broader trend: founders are increasingly leveraging AI and automation to solve specific, high-friction problems across industries. The focus on accessibility—whether through mass-market pricing (Arivihan) or scalable subscription models (Ottonomy)—shows how startups are balancing cutting-edge technology with practical adoption.

For operators, the takeaway is clear: niche applications of AI, deeptech, and sustainable materials are gaining traction not just as novelty ideas but as scalable solutions. The success of these startups also underscores the importance of addressing real-world pain points, like workflow inefficiencies or environmental concerns, rather than chasing broad, abstract trends. Early-stage founders should note how these companies tie their tech to measurable outcomes, like reducing response times or improving employee satisfaction, which can be critical for securing investor interest.

Key takeaways

• AI-driven tutoring platforms like Arivihan are making personalized education more accessible and affordable.
• Autonomous robotics startups like Ottonomy are reshaping logistics with scalable, subscription-based models.
• Sustainable fashion startups are innovating with alternative materials, reducing reliance on traditional textiles.
• Workflow automation tools like Ema demonstrate tangible improvements in efficiency and employee satisfaction.
• Email management solutions like Sol target high-volume professionals, automating repetitive tasks to save time.

FAQ

What is Arivihan, and how does it use AI?

Arivihan is an automated tutoring platform that uses AI to provide personalized learning experiences. It offers interactive video lessons, doubt-solving features, and adaptive study plans that adjust based on a student’s performance, all at affordable price points.

How does Ottonomy’s technology work?

Ottonomy deploys autonomous robots for last-mile and intra-campus logistics. Its Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model uses contextual AI to transport critical supplies, such as medicines and spare parts, for clients like hospitals and food service providers.

What materials are sustainable fashion startups using?

Startups like Beej, FOReT, and Sanajing Sana Thambal are using alternative materials such as pineapple leaves, banana bark, cork, cactus, and lotus stems to create eco-friendly fashion products.

How has Ema improved workplace efficiency?

Ema uses AI to automate enterprise workflows, helping companies like Wipro handle millions of employee queries annually. The platform reduced response times from days to seconds and improved employee satisfaction by 20%.

Who can benefit from Sol’s email management tool?

Sol is designed for professionals in high-volume roles, such as sales, marketing, consulting, and recruiting, who need to automate repetitive tasks like drafting emails, scheduling meetings, and creating documents.

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