Glasgow Professor Publishes Study of 15 Hindu Entrepreneurs, Tracing Dharma-Driven Startups
Updated
Updated · India Today · May 21
Glasgow Professor Publishes Study of 15 Hindu Entrepreneurs, Tracing Dharma-Driven Startups
2 articles · Updated · India Today · May 21
Professor Sreevas Sahasranamam of the University of Glasgow published a paper arguing that Hindu entrepreneurship predates modern capitalism and still shapes some Indian founders’ approach to business.
The study draws on interviews with 15 Hindu entrepreneurs, many of whom described enterprise as Dharma—moral duty—rather than profit maximization, linking wealth to ethics, community responsibility and restraint.
That research grew out of late-2023 discussions on AI and Hinduism, after founders building scripture-trained AI tools, virtual-reality temple experiences and education products rooted in Indian philosophy approached him.
The paper says colonial-era Western frameworks split religion from professional life and helped obscure Hinduism’s economic traditions, even though Artha has long stood alongside Dharma, Kama and Moksha in Hindu thought.
By highlighting that only two entrepreneurship studies explicitly focused on Hinduism despite 1.2 billion followers, the paper places the findings in a broader debate over whether modern startups can balance growth with social purpose.
How are India's startups using ancient Sanskrit texts to pioneer a new, 'responsible' form of Artificial Intelligence?
Can ancient Hindu ethics survive the profit-driven demands of modern global finance and Western ESG standards?
The Rise of Hindu Religious Entrepreneurship: Integrating Purusharthas and Technology for Purpose-Driven Business
Overview
A groundbreaking 2026 study from the University of Glasgow has brought global attention to Hindu religious entrepreneurship, a new business phenomenon where ventures are deeply rooted in Hindu philosophical and ethical principles. Unlike traditional Western models, these businesses are guided by the Purusharthas—Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha—ensuring that economic activity is balanced with ethics, social responsibility, and a broader sense of purpose. The study highlights how these ventures integrate ancient wisdom into modern business, positioning them as instruments for upholding Dharma and contributing to societal well-being, and challenging mainstream business thinking.