(March 12, 2025) In the quiet looms of Bihar’s villages, where threads tell stories and centuries-old traditions whisper through the fabric, a revolution is unfolding. Along with entrepreneurs who want to write a prosperity story of Bihar is Ridhima Srivastava, the force behind Weavehand, a platform that is not just preserving Indian handloom but giving it wings to travel the world, and partnering with well-known fashion brands of India.
From reviving forgotten weaves to breaking barriers in international markets, Ridhima’s venture is making significant strides. Already partnering with a brand in the USA, Weavehand is now set to enter the UAE and German markets. “Expanding into foreign markets is no easy feat. For instance, we’ve been working on our Dubai project for over a year to ensure a strong market entry,” Ridhima shares in an interview with Global Indian.
A recent milestone further strengthens Weavehand’s position in the fashion and textile industry as it collaborates with the Aditya Birla Group for their retail business in fabric and clothing. Beyond business expansion, Weavehand’s success is a triumph for artisans, bringing Indian art forms to connoisseurs in India and abroad. By bridging tradition with modern commerce, Ridhima Srivastava is weaving a legacy of women entrepreneurship in Bihar.
Photo Credit: Weavehand
The birth of Weavehand: A dream come true
Ridhima’s entrepreneurial journey started with a long-standing dream. “Since my school days growing up in Champaran in north-western Bihar, I wanted to carve a successful career path, even though from my paternal side, I was the first girl to get an education,” she recalls. Despite the prevailing mindset in Bihar where career choices were typically limited to engineering, medicine, or UPSC, she always had an inclination towards art and craft. “Art was always a passion. I learned painting during vacations and also took an interest in embroidery. In college, friends even came to me for drawing-related work.”
Her mother played a pivotal role in supporting her ambitions. “My mother has been a strong pillar of support. She even convinced my father when he was apprehensive about me starting a business. Now, he is proud,” tells Ridhima who did her bachelor’s in biotechnology and went on to pursue an MBA at IILM, New Delhi.
Building a foundation through corporate experience and vision
Before launching Weavehand, Ridhima gained corporate experience to understand the intricacies of business, gaining understanding of business development, marketing, HR, and e-commerce operations.
She worked at multiple companies, including a startup founded by the then-president of travel booking platform, goibibo called Lady Blush. “My goal was not to gain experience as an employee but to understand how to take care of the business side of entrepreneurial ventures,” explains the entrepreneur who always dreamt of having her own venture and generate employment.
By 2020, Ridhima had built the foundation of Weavehand. That same year, she secured funding from the Bihar Startup Fund, giving her the resources to scale her vision.
Ridhima Srivastava
To understand the challenges faced by artisans, she travelled extensively across Bihar’s rural weaving communities. She found that many weavers were hesitant to move online. “They didn’t believe in e-commerce,” she explains. “They thought it was a waste of time. But if we truly want to empower artisans and solve their problems, bringing them online is essential,” tells the entrepreneur who worked hard to change their mindsets and still spends lots of time doing so.
Reviving forgotten weaves
A significant part of Weavehand’s work involves reviving Bihar’s lost weaving traditions, such as Bawan Buti, an art form with roots tracing back to the Ramayana. “Bawan Buti means ‘52 motifs,’ which are intricately woven into the fabric. It is said that Lord Ram gifted a Bawan Buti shawl to Sugriva upon his return,” she explains. Despite its rich history, Bawan Buti had almost vanished. “It was heartbreaking to see such an ancient craft being forgotten,” says Riddhima. “We had to change that.”
She works with artisans skilled in various other traditional art forms, producing a diverse range of fabrics and handicrafts. “Many other states have taken their weaving heritage to global platforms, and I felt it was time for Bihar’s weaves to be recognized internationally,” she remarks, talking about her entrepreneurial vision.
Empowering artisans: The backbone of Weavehand
The entrepreneur worked on a model where artisans could earn what they deserve. “Instead of selling a saree to a middleman for ₹800, who later sells it for ₹5000, we directly connect artisans to customers at fair prices.” Weavehand also provides training to artisans. “We collaborate with designers and tech experts to help them stay updated with modern market trends,” she says.
Ridhima with young artisans
At its core, Weavehand is a tech-enabled platform designed to eliminate middlemen and ensure fair wages for artisans. The company now works with over 1,000 artisans across Bihar in clusters spread across Nalanda, Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Champaran. “We are working in the backend, and very soon, this number will reach 5,000+ artisans,” Riddhima states.
Weavehand’s USP is all about offering customization options, from colour and design variations to ready-to-wear sarees.
Changing mindsets
While building Weavehand, Ridhima faced challenges on multiple fronts while breaking stereotypes, gaining financial stability, and changing perceptions about Bihar’s artisans. “Many times, I have observed people’s attitude not being very conducive towards Bihar when I have attended exhibitions with people from other states. I wish to change the perception of people towards Bihar and also change the mindset of artisans to become more professional,” she explains.
She is actively working to instill professionalism among artisans by emphasizing the importance of meeting deadlines, maintaining price quotes, and ensuring trustworthiness. “Only when they recognize their own value will others look up to them. We are improving profits while also building professionalism in the community,” mentions the entrepreneur.
From Patna to the world
Weavehand has expanded beyond Bihar, placing its products in retail outlets in Delhi’s ‘Much Essentials’ store in Chandni Chowk and a few hotel chains in Bangalore. “We are also collaborating with Café Hideout in Bihar, where our products will be displayed across multiple locations,” shares the entrepreneur.
The brand is also considering franchise models in future, where partners will handle store operations while Weavehand manages the supply chain. Weavehand has already secured grants from BITS Pilani and platforms like the ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), and Riddhima is actively looking to raise ₹1 crore to expand operations.
She has even bigger ambitions. Her next goal is to break into the Japanese market. “The Japanese people love textile culture, so my aim is to introduce them to Bihar’s weaves and learn from their rich textile heritage and expertise.”
Photo Credit: Weavehand
Recently, Ridhima was also selected as part of a cohort for FICCI, where she participated in initial discussions about expanding into Australia. She was among 15 entrepreneurs from across India who engaged in an online discussion with the Australian High Commissioner, exploring potential opportunities in the Australian market.
Weavehand is passion
For Ridhima, Weavehand is more than just a business, it’s a movement. “It’s my passion. Changing the lives of artisans gives me immense fulfillment,” remarks the doting mother of a seven-year-old.
From Bihar’s villages to international markets, at the heart of Weavehand’s journey remains the simple yet powerful mission of empowering artisans and preserving India’s rich heritage. “Every product carries the story of skilled artisans and sustainable practices,” she adds. “Each piece is crafted with care and tells a unique tale.”
