Former Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata passed away on Wednesday, October 9. The 86-year-old breathed his last at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital, leaving behind a legacy filled with his visionary investments and transformational leadership.

Known for his dedication to innovation and entrepreneurship, Tata backed several startups that revolutionised sectors such as e-commerce, healthcare and mobility. His contributions not only fuelled the growth of these businesses but also encouraged the spirit of entrepreneurship in the country. As the world mourns his demise, let's take a look at the impressive startups he backed:

Goodfellows
In 2022, Ratan Tata made a significant un-disclosed seed investment in Goodfellows, a startup that aims to foster inter-generational-friendships. Founded by Shantanu Naidu, who also manages Tata's office, the initiative seeks to connect individuals above the age of 70 with empathetic peers in their 20s. During its launch, Tata emphasised the importance of friendships, which counter the loneliness that often accompanies aging.

GOQii
Tata invested in GOQii in 2016, which has an innovative approach to health and wellness. GOQii focuses on wearable fitness tools and personal health management solutions. Tata's support not only provides the necessary funding but also enhances the startup's credibility.

Generic Aadhar
In 2019, Tata invested in Generic Aadhar, which is dedicated to making healthcare more affordable. His support helps realize the company's mission of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices.

Dog Spot
In 2016, Ratan Tata became an investor in Dog Spot, which has a vision to create a community for pet lovers. His support helped Dog Spot establish itself as a leading platform for pet services, grooming, training, and products.

Cure.fit
Cure.fit, a health and fitness startup, received $170 million in backing from investors including Tata. It offers fitness centers, food delivery services, healthcare clinics, and an online mental health platform.

Zivame
In 2015, Tata made a strategic investment in Zivame, an online underwear retailer. His investment helped Zivame enhance technology and customer reach.

Ola Electric
Ratan Tata's relationship with Ola began in 2015 with an investment of ₹95 lakh. In 2019, he invested in Ola Electric Mobility, supporting its efforts to revolutionise electric mobility in India.

Snapdeal
In 2014, Tata acquired a 0.17% stake in Snapdeal, helping it maintain a competitive edge in the e-commerce sector. YourStory YourStory, founded by Shraddha Sharma, became the first platform to receive investment from Tata. Tata's support made it an important voice in India's entrepreneurship ecosystem. Lenskart

In 2016, Tata invested ₹10 lakh in Lenskart. His investment proved to be crucial for the company, helping Lenskart grow.

NastAway
Tata invested in NastAway Technologies in 2016, which provides furnished housing for young professionals.

Lybrate
In 2015, Tata invested $10.2 million in Lybrate, an online health care startup.

Climacell
Tata participated in a seed funding round for Climacell, a weather technology company, in 2016.

CarDekho
In 2015, Ratan Tata made a minority investment in Girnar Soft, the parent company of CarDekho, which is attempting to transform the car-buying experience.

HolaChief
Tata invested in HolaChief, a food-tech startup, and helped it set up in Mumbai and Pune.

FirstCry
Tata's investment in FirstCry in 2016 saw significant gains when the company IPOs in 2024.

Paytm
Tata invested ₹1 crore in Paytm in 2015, earning him a position as a business advisor to its parent company.

This story reflects Ratan Tata's vision and commitment to entrepreneurship, which saw him not only expand his own business but also support other startups in their journey.