While many startups seek to compete within existing industries, a select few go a step further: they create entirely new categories or cause disruption in existing segments with their unique offerings. Instead of merely improving a familiar product, these companies change how people understand a problem and introduce a different way of addressing it.
At the inaugural edition of the One of a Kind Awards - for early stage startups , presented by The Economic Times and Cashfree Payments, this spirit of market creation was recognised through the Category Creator Award category. The honour was presented at the grand reveal and felicitation ceremony held on August 21, 2026, at Novotel, Bengaluru.
