Priya Khimani

Indian tech entrepreneur building digital platforms to empower rural women entrepreneurs

Priya Khimani (b. 1995) is an Indian computer scientist and founder of Sahara Connect, launched in 2021 as India's first AI-powered marketplace connecting rural women artisans with global buyers. The platform's unique feature is its cultural heritage preservation algorithm that identifies traditional craft techniques at risk of extinction, helping 50,000+ artisans in 22 states secure fair trade contracts.

In 2023, Khimani developed the Sahara Finance app providing microloans and financial literacy training to female entrepreneurs in remote regions. This initiative has enabled over 15,000 women to start their own businesses with repayment rates exceeding 98%.

Her 2024 collaboration with UNESCO produced the Digital Heritage Atlas, a VR platform documenting endangered craft traditions. Khimani's TED Talk "How Technology is Reviving India's Cultural Treasures" has 1.8 million views. In 2025, she was named Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia for her work bridging digital divides in rural India.