Brands
Meru Life: The new age-tech startup revolutionising life after 55
MUMBAI: After successfully scaling Mirum India (acquired by WPP) for 15 years, seasoned entrepreneurs Hareesh Tibrewala and Mihir Karkare have once again joined forces to introduce Meru Life, an age-tech startup built to empower active seniors-individuals aged 55-70—to live active, connected, and fulfilling lives.
India’s senior demographic is expanding rapidly, with 15 crore citizens over 60 today, projected to reach 35 crore by 2050. While the market has traditionally focused on elder care, Meru Life takes a refreshing, proactive approach-supporting individuals who wish to stay engaged, learn new skills, explore hobbies, and maintain financial independence.
“Last year, turning 60 sparked a journey of discovery,” shared Meru Life founder & executive chairman Tibrewala. “I searched for ways to make this life phase meaningful but found no clear answers. While we hear stories of people making comebacks in their 60s and 80s, what about the everyday individuals in the age group of 55-70 who want to stay engaged, learn new things, find meaningful work, and build relationships? Meru Life will fill this gap, helping active seniors find purpose and fulfillment.”
Meru Life will be co-led by Karkare and Saurabh Garg, with backing from VAV Lipids Ltd. MD Arun Kedia and Sanjay Mehta-both early believers in Mirum India.
“As an entrepreneur, I have always believed in meaningfully impacting lives. Through building Mirum, I saw firsthand the difference we could make-not just for our clients but also for our employees and their families. With Meru Life, we’re thinking even bigger-impacting millions of seniors who want to live their best lives,” said Meru Life co-founder & CEO Karkare.
Meru Life aims to bridge the gap between digital innovation and active aging, offering tailored solutions across health, wellness, finance, hobbies, lifestyle, and purposeful engagement.
“At 42, I finally understand what Carl Jung meant when he said life begins at 40. Not just in theory, but in reality. Building Meru Life feels like the culmination of two decades of experience and values. Our mission is clear—to be the most trusted platform for Active Seniors, meeting them exactly where they are,” added Meru Life co-founder & CMO Saurabh Garg.
“Over the years, I have mentored entrepreneurs and backed ideas that create real change. With decades in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, I know that good health means living better, not just longer. I’m excited to support Meru Life in redefining senior engagement in India,” said Kedia.
Over the coming weeks, Meru Life will roll out a range of innovative solutions designed for India’s active seniors. From fitness and financial planning to hobby communities and digital learning, the platform will provide a one-stop destination for the next chapter of life.
With age-tech poised to be the next big growth sector, Meru Life is set to lead the charge in helping millions of seniors thrive in their second innings.
Brands
Rohini Laya Venkateswaran named executive director at Gillette India
P&G veteran with two decades of experience steps into leadership role
NEW DELHI: Rohini Laya Venkateswaran has been appointed executive director at Gillette India Pvt. Ltd., bringing with her more than two decades of experience across sales, strategy and brand leadership within the consumer goods sector. In her new role, she will help steer the company’s strategic direction and growth while strengthening its footprint in the grooming and personal care category.
Venkateswaran joins the board after a long career at Procter & Gamble, where she spent nearly 21 years shaping sales strategy, building brands and driving market expansion across India and international markets.
Most recently, she served as chief sales officer for India at P&G. Prior to that, she was vice president and country manager for east gulf markets, overseeing operations in Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar while also guiding sales strategy across the Gulf region, including the UAE.
Earlier in her career, she led sales strategy and planning for India while serving as marketing leader for brands such as Olay and Old Spice. During this stint, she focused on reshaping go-to-market channels and building awareness through digital, social and influencer-led campaigns to drive growth.
Her journey at P&G also included roles such as director sales strategy and planning leader India, associate director modern retail and ecommerce, regional manager for Delhi and Rajasthan, and several key account and trade marketing roles across the country. She also spent time in the United States working on the P&G Walmart international team, collaborating on global retail initiatives.
Venkateswaran holds an MBA in marketing from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from RV College of Engineering.
With her mix of sales acumen, brand-building experience and global exposure, Venkateswaran’s appointment signals a sharpened focus on growth and market leadership for Gillette India.
