As per a 2017 study by National Human Rights Commission, 92% of transpersons are deprived to participate in any economic activity in India. Only 6% were employed in the private sector with even qualified ones refused jobs, compelling them to either beg or choose sex work. In 2019 Indian government passed a law to protect trans people from discrimination, that has encouraged many allies and even corporates to come forward to support the community however stigma and systemic barriers in education & employment spaces remain unaddressed.

The transgender youth especially is facing various problems :
1. Lack of inclusive jobs
2. Lack of training and support for entrepreneurship
3. Poor mental health due to social stigma
4. Violence from families, society and at workplaces

Miƨfyt Trans Youth Foundation is a trans youth led organisation that collectivises trans youth and ally power to accelerate socio-economic inclusion for the trans community.

Entrepreneur Profiles

1. Anjali 
Anjali founded Artsy Gateau, a bakery cafe in Imphal, Manipur, offering pastries, donuts, breads, cakes, tea, coffee, and noodles. After the 2023 Manipur conflict forced its closure, Anjali relocated to Bangalore and is now seeking seed funding to restart the business under a new name. With a corporate IT background and a passion for the food industry, Anjali is determined to rebuild their dream cafe in Bengaluru. They are currently looking for support to re-establish the bakery cafe.
Insta- Dont have it

2. Medusa Pridestore - Purab Brahma
Purab is the founder of Medusa, NE India's first Pride store, established in November 2020 in Kokrajhar, Assam. Medusa offers t-shirts, sweatshirts, handbags, socks, and customizable tote bags, all made in India. Purab created the store to support and provide visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community. He is seeking funds to overcome challenges like lack of advertising and brand promotion, aiming to enhance the store's reach and impact by investing in marketing and expanding the product line.
https://www.instagram.com/medusa_pridestore/

3. Kiran
Gollapalli Kiran Raj is the founder of Sparsh Cottage Industries in Hyderabad, creating fully organic beauty products like soaps, shampoos, and Multani mitti. A trans man (he/him), Kiran overcame significant challenges to start his business, driven by his love for nature and self-taught expertise.He launched Sparsh four months ago, working with small team of his family members and now seeks support for capital, marketing, and registration.
https://www.instagram.com/sparsh_organic_soaps/

4. Priyanka
Priyanka is the founder of Rainbow Brews-Connecting Mitr, a New Delhi-based handcrafted tea blends business offering over 250 varieties. As a trans woman, Priyanka's journey is a testament to resilience and passion. Despite facing challenges with GST registration and harassment from officials, she remains committed to her vision of providing healthy and organic tea options. Priyanka is now seeking to establish a tea cafe and build a consistent consumer base.
https://www.instagram.com/rainbow_brews/?igsh=MWVjbWw1em4zbnRoNg%3D%3D

5. Simran Singh
Simran Singh is a transgender woman based in Mumbai, passionately leading her brand Tavisha. With a keen eye for art and entrepreneurship, Simran aims to utilize funds to establish a store, boost marketing efforts, hire transgender individuals, and expand her product line. Through her endeavors, she seeks to empower her community and showcase her creativity to the world.
Insta- @simransingh3332

6. Riyam
Riyam, the visionary behind Genderse - India's pioneering chest-binder brand crafted for the queer community. Launched in 2023, Genderse is currently in the pre-manufacturing phase, actively engaged in awareness and fundraising efforts. Riyam's mission stems from personal struggles with chest binder accessibility in India. Genderse is currently in the pre-manufacturing phase, seeking funds for production, inventory, packaging, and team remuneration. Through Genderse, Riyam aims to empower the queer community with gender-affirming essentials.
https://www.instagram.com/genderse.in/

7. Nazia
Meet Nazia, the force behind New Bharat Cookies and Jams. Established in 2018 during college, Nazia's homemade jams and cookies, made from millets, aata, and bajra, showcase her dedication to quality. Despite facing production challenges due to a lack of machinery and raw materials, she perseveres, driven by her desire to inspire her community and transition from a sex worker to a business owner. Based in Delhi NCR/Noida, Nazia seeks funds to purchase machinery, aiming to overcome obstacles and realize her entrepreneurial dreams.
https://www.instagram.com/newbharat.by.nazim?igsh=bzRuY2EzcHBtaGs2

8. Flame-
Flame spearheads Morichika Mukherjee, a Kolkata-based clothing label specializing in luxury designer wear for diverse body types and cosplays. With a mission to empower individuals to express themselves authentically through fashion, Flame's brand fosters inclusivity and diversity. They seek support for hiring, equipment procurement, and branding to expand their impact and reach more people, creating a positive influence in the fashion industry.
https://www.instagram.com/morichika_mukherjee/

Misfyt Transgender Youth Foundation is a registered non-profit in India run by trans youth and aims to accelerate the socio-economic inclusio for the trans community in India. We believe in youth power to become their agents of change and create a lasting impact.

For more information : www.misfyt.org
Email : team@misfyt.org
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/themisfyt/