20 LGBTQIA+ Owned Businesses That Are Making Rainbow Waves

Sukkku describes her store as "a store in Studio Ghibli coming to life", where the protagonist transports you to another world. Sukku discovered her passion for slow fashion and creating unique jewellery during the lockdown, and now, you can find a small collection of handmade necklaces, earrings, very cute stickers, tote bags, trinket dishes, and 100 per cent authentic crystals. We found the website to be strictly no-BS (love that, honestly), and it's mentioned that since it's a slow fashion brand, it may take up to 10 to 15 days for your package to arrive.

Founder: Sukku

Website/Social Media: Strawbabie

Puji (she/they) and her sibling Divya (she/her) started Control Plus P (CTRL+P) with a passion to create an ethical and sustainable business. CTRL+P is a gender-neutral streetwear brand, which sells all things cool, like corduroy shackets, flap trousers, and washed jorts.

Founder: Puji Avuthu

Website/Social Media: CTRL+P

Balakrishna quit a well-paying corporate job in Germany and moved back to India to pursue pottery as his full-time career. Yogam Pottery began in 2018 as a desire to celebrate passion and individuality. Their philosophy is to mould a life according to one's own terms, in the pursuit of beauty, tranquillity, and individuality. The brand’s design aesthetics vary from simple, elegant, and functional ware to unique, individualistic, intricate pieces inspired by traditional Indian art forms. The online shop on his website will be activated when they have new products available. So keep a lookout! If you're in Bengaluru, you can even book classes and workshops or rent the equipment for personal use.

Founder: Balakrishna Vallepu

Website/Social Media: Yogam Pottery

Based in Uttarakhand, the brand was quick to establish a very loyal fan base across the country. In their first year itself, they shipped all across India to very happy customers in cities like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and many others! Thriftdesu is a brilliant combination of kawaii and sustainable fashion, according to Unino. She insists that you buy from her only if you need something! If you want to support her in other ways, you can always donate your clothes or share her stories.

Founder: Unino 

Website/Social Media: Thriftdesu

A small business based out of Bengaluru, founded by Laksha and fuelled by her passion for mental health, she sells stickers, as the name suggests, which revolve around the theme of self-care and self-love. You can also get custom stickers made, just DM them on Instagram to know about the process, they're pretty quick to respond. 

Founders: Laksha & Nakul 

Website/Social Media: Sassage Stickers

Shriya started her brand as a way to be able to support herself and so that she could have a way to make beautiful stuff for people. She deals mainly with commissions and takes orders for embroidery pieces, crochet pieces, cross-stitch work, resin charms, and digital art. You can support her by ordering stuff from her store and checking out her ridiculously adorable Instagram page!

Founder: Shriya Uday

Website/Social Media: Shriyaaarghart

Aravani Art Project’s Instagram bio reads, 'A collective movement working to enable the Transgender Community through visual art, social experiments, and magic.' And what a magical experience indeed! Their work started as an expression and experiment using art and friendship as social justice activism. They say, 'We started reclaiming spaces as cis-women, trans-women/men, and queer people to make a point.' They say the biggest way to support them is to buy their art, both digital and hand-painted canvases, from their artists. Some other ways of support would be to commission work from them, or even to put them in touch with philanthropists or MNCs to sponsor painting large-scale walls in public spaces. 

Founder: Poornima Sukumar

Website/Social Media: Aravani Art Project

If it's polymer jewellery you're in search of then you must check out Eclaypse. All reviews scream of how happy the customers are, and we can't deny that the designs are super cute. You can even get customisations done. To order, just DM them on Instagram.

Founder: Banipreet Kaur

Website/Social Media: Eclaypse

Sangya Project is an online pleasure store that started out as a sex education platform. It was founded by a queer and poly family. In South Asia, where the idea of sexual awareness is still a taboo, Shweta Sangtani, Tanisha RK and Ashish Mehrotra seek to 'create a destigmatised, trauma-informed and kink-affirmative education that continuously makes room for new stories and new perspectives.' Braving the head-to-head of not just sex but sexual wellbeing, they want to shift the conversation from the cis male perspective to one that encompasses all genders and sexualities. The products advocate quality and discretion. From all-natural, pH-balanced, aloe vera-based lubricants to vegan contraceptives and sex toys, Sangya Project’s got them all. 

Founders: Tanisha RK, Shweta Sangtani & Aashish Mehrotra

Website/Social Media: Sangya Project

Anuja, Rupa and their three pets, having struggled with grooming products in the past, set out to change the grooming game with organic shampoo bars for pets. They have pH balanced shampoo bars for dogs and cats, made with all-natural, safe-to-use ingredients. The packaging they use is recyclable or reusable and not to mention, extremely cute. Product names like 'Soothe Criminal Shampoo' and 'Tick Me Not Conditioner' just further increase the product's appeal. Read more here.

Founders: Anuja Parikh & Rupa Parikh

Website/Social Media: The Modern Tail

Anjali, a self-taught illustrator, gave life to The Colour Maniac. While struggling with her mental health, she found that her love for art helped her cope. She illustrates humans, animals and miniaturises inanimate objects and people. Her product range includes notepads, recipe journals, calendars, postcards and enamel pins. If you would like to give your friends cute handmade gifts, The Colour Maniac also makes custom orders. All the packaging used is eco-friendly and sustainable.

Founder: Anjali Raj

Website/Social Media: The Colour Maniac

You might be familiar with this brand from Shark Tank India's Season 2. BeUnic is a queer driven e-commerce platform where individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community can showcase their talent and ideas that not only give them a professional boost, but help them financially as well!  The brand offers a diverse range of products from clothing, home decor, footwear, accessories and even stationery. We love how quickly their quirky and aesthetic designs and quality products have become our one-stop destination for all our shopping needs!

Founders: Ashish Chopra, Ms. Simmi Nanda, Mr. Gaurav Chhibber, & Vishesh Chopra

Website/Social Media: BeUnic

Let’s all agree on one thing: if it’s crocheted, it’s automatically cute. And Crochet By Kunal takes that cuteness to a whole new level. From pizzas and bags to keychains and even labubus, everything is crocheted to perfection. Kunal doesn’t just stick to the basics either; he experiments with metallic and wool yarns too, leaving us absolutely spoilt for choice.

Founder: Kunal Chourasia

Website/Social Media: Corchet By Kunal

Alula Workshop is a gender-neutral, queer-owned brand founded by Lakeisha, and it’s a total treasure trove of artistic finds. Scroll through their Instagram, and you’ll spot some of the most aesthetic, must-grab pieces out there. From hand-painted jewellery to tiny, whimsical sculptures, everything here is crafted with absolute creativity.

Founder: Lakeisha

Website/Social Media: Alula Workshop

Founded in 2021, Kai By Mangi by Shubhangi Pandey is shaking up the beauty world with its adorable, high-quality handmade cosmetics. These goodies aren’t just great, they’re cute enough to flaunt everywhere, to everyone. The showstoppers are their vegan, cruelty-free charm glosses with a non-sticky formula and delicious flavours you’ll want in every shade.

Founder: Shubhangi Pandey

Website/Social Media: Kai By Mangi

Nukkad Studios perfectly captures the “grassroots aesthetic of India.” Started by Akash Chaudhari, the name ‘Nukkad’—meaning street corner—sums up what they do best: street style. Think oversized tees with ultra-relatable graphics, tote bags, and socks so cool, you’ll never want to hide them (yes, we’re throwing shade at no-show socks). It’s all way too good to miss.

Founder: Akash Chaudhari

Website/Social Media: Nukkad Studios

You know that warm, fuzzy feeling that hits when you taste something nostalgic? That’s exactly what Podi Non Maga is all about. Based in Bangalore, this brand serves up delicious podis, pickles, thokkus, and murukkus that’ll instantly transport you to childhood days spent devouring your grandmother’s cooking. Every bite is comfort food at its finest, and these will quickly become staples in your kitchen.

Founder: Abhiram Sridhar

Website/Social Media: Podi Non Maga

Monjira, an illustrator and tattoo artist, creates the kind of art that’s so dopamine-inducing, you’ll want to camp out on their Instagram page all day. Specialising in commissioned pieces, comics, and editorial illustrations, Monjira’s work is filled with character, and it never fails to impress.

Founder: Monjira Sen

Website/Social Media: Monjira

Quire Studio is an eco-friendly lifestyle brand that’ll steal your heart with its stunning jewellery, artisanal candles in shapes and styles that could melt you, and statement-making home decor. Founded by Jesmin, a queer visual artist from North-East India, the brand is a beautiful reflection of their creativity. Once you discover their work, trust us, you’ll be making weekly visits to their website!

Founder: Jesmin Ahmed

Website/Social Media: Quire Studio

The Nature Masons, as the name suggests, has organic, zero-waste, reef-safe, cruelty-free products. From formulation to preservation, everything is above par with the standards. The brand offers body moisturising creams, conditioners, lip balms, natural deodorants, soaps, shampoos, oral care, and more. 

Founders: Mrinalini Deshprabhu & Jennifer Parras

Website/Social Media: The Nature Masons

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