When I look back at the start of my professional journey, one of the most formative experiences was being part of a collective effort that was more than just an organisation — it was a community with a purpose. That is how I first encountered Enroot Innovation Foundation (Enroot Mumbai) — a grassroots-driven innovation platform rooted in Mumbai that strives to do social good through creativity, design thinking, and collaboration.
Enroot wasn’t born out of a boardroom or a business plan drafted in isolation. It started with a group of curious, passionate people in Mumbai — a bunch of “crazy” innovators, as we sometimes joked — determined to solve real-world problems collaboratively and support each other’s growth. What tied us together wasn’t just a cause, but a belief that community-led innovation could create sustainable and human-centred solutions for society’s pressing challenges. (Enroot)
The Beginning: Community First
In its early days, Enroot was very much a community effort. The philosophy was simple: bring together motivated individuals from diverse backgrounds — technology, design, engineering, social development — and let collective problem solving lead the way. The mission was clear: to cultivate an attitude of problem solving among the citizens of Mumbai with collaborative support. (Enroot)
This community-first approach meant that everyone involved was learning as we built — first from each other, then from our partners and the real communities we were trying to serve. It was a place where volunteering was not just about giving time, but about learning, experimenting, and growing together.
From Community to Impactful Action
As this community matured into a more structured organisation — now formally known as Enroot Innovation Foundation — the work broadened while staying true to its roots. Enroot positioned itself as an innovation-first organisation that uses design thinking and engineering innovation to create sustainable solutions for social change. (Enroot)
The ethos was not just “do good,” but amplify the good already being done. The foundation believed that many NGOs and social initiatives struggle not because of lack of intent, but due to limited resources, technological integration, and fragmented collaboration — areas where an innovation mindset can make a big difference. (Enroot)
Project Work and Real-World Outcomes
One of the things I’m proudest of during my time with Enroot is how theory turned into action. A few examples of this include:
- Myna App — A platform to empower young underprivileged women with access to health and well-being resources. (Enroot)
- Global Parli — A rural empowerment initiative focused on 360-degree village development. (Enroot)
- COVID-19 Maharashtra Tracker — A multilingual resource during the pandemic. (Enroot)
- Creating Abilities — An initiative to uplift and support the specially-abled community. (Enroot)
- Saplings for Farmers — A regional digital platform to support farmers with sapling access and agricultural knowledge. (Enroot)
These were not just theoretical ideas — they were real projects developed with teams, stakeholders, and communities at the centre. Looking back, every team effort taught us something about empathy, iterative design, and human impact.
What I Learned and Why It Matters
My role in Enroot — especially as someone leading engineering contributions — wasn’t just about writing code or building apps. It was about listening to lived experiences, understanding constraints, and working with communities rather than for them. It shaped my approach to not only technology but also collaboration, empathy, and purpose.
At a moment when technology often creates distance, Enroot reminded me that true innovation bridges gaps — between communities and opportunities, between empathy and execution.
The Path Ahead
Even in early 2022, it was clear that Enroot was more than an organisation — it was a learning ecosystem. The journey from an informal community in Mumbai to an active innovation foundation showed what happens when passion meets structure, and when people choose to collaborate instead of compete. (Enroot)
As I continue my path beyond Enroot, the lessons from those early days stay with me. They influence how I think about creating value — not just in terms of outputs or products, but in the lives impacted along the way.
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