Startups

By Pickle February 3, 2024

ANISH MEHTA – AI Visionary

Anish Mehta, Founder of Animeta, pioneers AIpowered creator tech, envisioning the future of the creator economy. Dedicated to empowering influencers through cutting-edge AI technology, he transforms creators into potent brands. Animeta’s proprietary Self-Service Creator Tech platform amplifies digital creators, enhancing their narratives and community reach across diverse social media platforms. An industry veteran, Anish’s decade-long CEO role at Cosmos-Maya showcased his prowess in animation, securing a $90M exit. Now, as the architect of Animeta, Anish combines tech and creativity to reshape the AVGC landscape, empowering creators to redefine storytelling in the digital era.

ARVIND SINGH JEENA – Creative Maestro

Arvind Singh Jeena, Director and Founder of Totem Creative, thrives on simplifying complexity and infusing humor into serious narratives. With over 8 years in animation, Arvind crafts captivating stories. His acclaimed work, ‘Paperplanes,’ resonates with global audiences, transporting them to the charm of Indian classrooms. From Annecy to Stuttgart, the film’s journey is a testament to Arvind’s creative vision.haruvi Agrawal – Multimedia Maestro and Storyteller

CHARUVI AGRAWAL – Multimedia Maestro and Storyteller

Charuvi Agrawal, an Animation Filmmaker and founder of Charuvi Design Labs (CDL), stands as a pioneer in merging fine arts with cutting-edge multimedia. Graduating from Delhi College of Arts and earning a master’s from Sheridan College, she introduced her first film in 2007, with subsequent successes like “The Legend of Hanuman” animated series on Disney+Hotstar. Beyond her creative endeavors, Charuvi contributes to industry policies as a member of the PHD Chambers AVGC committee and serves as an UNREAL® mentor. CDL, under her leadership, embraces innovation, utilizing AR, VR, XR, and AI for over a decade. Charuvi’s upcoming projects include TV shows, museum content, and short films.

GITANJALI SEHGAL – AI Integration Visionary

Gitanjali Sehgal, a seasoned CEO and entrepreneur, brings over 25 years of diverse expertise across Media & Entertainment, Films, FMCG, and consulting. Former CEO of Pixion and co-founder of Metamorphosis, India’s first broadcast design house, Sehgal is recognized for her international achievements, including Promax Asia awards. Currently, she champions the integration of state-of-the-art technologies like Generative AI, AR/VR, and video-tech. As a co-founder in AI, Sehgal leads groundbreaking initiatives, emphasizing seamless workflows, personalized engagement, efficiency, dynamic content creation, and collaborative leadership, driving the transformative impact of AI in VFX, advertising, and content production.

HARSHA KIKKERI – AVGC Innovator & XR Pioneer

Harsha Kikkeri, CEO of HoloSuit Pvt Ltd, is an industry maven heralding the era of casual reality. With 21 years of expertise and 44 patents, he’s a trailblazer in eXtended Reality motion capture suits, aerial and ground robots. Renowned for the world’s first fullbody motion tracking suit, HoloSuit, his mastery extends to VR/MR/AR platforms, crypto technologies, and robotics. From Unity to Ethereum, Kikkeri’s proficiency spans diverse landscapes, including drones, mobile robots, arms, grippers, and 3D sensors. A programming polyglot, he commands languages from C/C++ to Python, driving innovation at the intersection of technology and immersive experiences.

UPAMANYU BHATTACHARYYA – Kolkata’s Illustrator Extraordinaire

Upamanyu Bhattacharyya, the animation director and illustrator behind Otter Studios, emerges as Kolkata’s inspired chronicler. A National Institute of Design alumnus, Upamanyu’s sketches breathe life into the city’s streets, capturing the nuances of everyday life. His creations, from the award-winning ‘Paperplanes’ to the soulful depiction of Kolkata’s street scenes, showcase his unique lens. With a repertoire that reflects Bengal’s artistry and global influences, Upamanyu, through Otter Studios, promises to weave animated narratives that resonate with the heart and soul of diverse audiences.

VIREN PATIL – Architect of Animated Dreams

Viren Patil, Founder & CEO of Zebu Animation, commands over two decades in the animation industry, emerging as a creative powerhouse. Cofounder of Paprikas Animation Studios and Xentrix Studios, Viren’s journey transformed him into a seasoned visionary. Now, at Zebu Animation, his lifelong dream unfolds as he shapes original IPs and elevates storytelling. This global animation studio, under his creative stewardship, combines technology and talent, producing animated content that etches everlasting memories.

VRINDA SOOD – Animation Entrepreneur & Visionary

Vrinda Sood, Founder of Citrus Ink Studios, is an MBA-marketer turned animation entrepreneur. Under her guidance, the studio thrives in short films, IP development, and the recent launch of its VFX division. Committed to originality, Vrinda’s focus on narrative innovation garnered global acclaim, with films like “The Social Chameleon.” With Citrus Carmashala, she champions education in collaboration with Technicolor Creative Studios Academy, shaping a new generation of creative minds.