Founder of Papaya, Tanya Mehta
Born in Tanzania and raised in Edinburgh, this young founder’s entrepreneurial spirit sparked at just seven years old—selling chocolate-dipped fruit and cookies on the streets. When winter came, she shifted to handmade woolen hats. What started as childlike creativity soon grew into a deep passion for creating meaningful solutions.
After completing A-levels in Economics, Mathematics, and Chemistry in 2024, she is set to begin her journey at the London School of Economics in 2025. But during her gap year, she has devoted herself entirely to building Papaya—a nutrition-based wellness platform focused on helping women reverse PCOS symptoms through personalized, evidence-backed meals and supplements.
Her motivation is rooted in personal experience. Diagnosed with PCOS at 15 and told there was no cure, she faced debilitating symptoms that affected her physical and mental health. But instead of accepting it, she began obsessively researching everything from hormones to holistic nutrition. Within six months of applying lifestyle and dietary changes, she reversed every single symptom—confirmed by medical tests.
That transformation sparked a mission. What began as a private journey evolved into a purpose-driven company. Through the Sisterhood Summer program and the Kickstart Global accelerator, she turned her idea into an MVP and, within just three months of going full-time, launched Papaya to the world.
Papaya is not just a product—it’s a lifeline. The platform offers science-backed meal delivery tailored for hormonal balance, targeting core issues like blood sugar regulation, gut health, and metabolic stability. Each plan includes a daily tonic packed with key vitamins and minerals, designed to supplement the meals and reinforce overall wellness.
Her biggest milestone so far?
Winning the HealthTech vertical at Google HQ. Pitching in front of thousands of investors and innovators was a surreal moment of validation. But for her, the real success lies in the impact stories—the messages from women whose lives have transformed thanks to Papaya.
What keeps her grounded is her “why”: the deep isolation she felt after being diagnosed. With no guidance or community, she had to navigate a complex condition alone—a reality that still holds true for millions of women globally. In the UK, one in ten women has PCOS. In India, it’s one in three. This imbalance in care and support fuels her dedication to femtech—not just as a founder, but as someone advocating for better information, solutions, and systems for women’s health.
Looking ahead, she sees menopause as the next major frontier in femtech—especially in terms of mental and emotional health. She’s also intrigued by the potential of blockchain in healthcare, envisioning a future where decentralised, secure medical records empower patients and protect their data.
Her advice to aspiring founders:
Just start. Whether it’s talking to someone who shares your pain point, reaching out to an expert, or diving into research—take the first step. Don’t worry about having all the answers. Clarity comes from action.
Ultimately, her long-term vision with Papaya is to bridge the gap between complex scientific research and everyday nutrition for women. She wants to arm women with accessible, research-based tools that not only help them manage their health—but reconnect with their bodies on a deeper level.
Because for her, this isn’t just a business. It’s a revolution in how we care for women.
Story by – Devi Pathak
If you’re a trailblazer in women’s health or FemTech, we’d love to hear your story! Share your journey and insights with us at info@femtechindia.com. Together, let’s amplify the voices driving positive change.
