The startup community mourns demise of Pankhuri Shrivastava, Grabhouse's founder

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 28 December 2021

Pankhuri Shrivastava, the founder of Grabhouse, a rental firm, and Pankhuri, a women-focused social platform, died on December 24. The serial entrepreneur was 32 years old at the time of his death.

Her demise was mourned by several prominent names in the Indian startup community. Vani Kola, founder of Kalaari Capital, wrote in a tweet on Sunday (December 26), “Yesterday, it came as a shock to me when I found out that @pankhuri16 is no more. I remember her as a vivacious bright woman full of ideas and full of life. She was confident. That was something you noticed about her immediately. Her demise is a loss for our startup ecosystem. We lost a bright and young founder, but I know her legacy will live on. It was truly a privilege to know Pankhuri.”

Pankhuri Shrivastava, the founder of Grabhouse, a rental firm, and Pankhuri, a women-focused social platform, died on December 24. The serial entrepreneur was 32 years old at the time of his death.

Her demise was mourned by several prominent names in the Indian startup community. Vani Kola, founder of Kalaari Capital, wrote in a tweet on Sunday (December 26), “Yesterday, it came as a shock to me when I found out that @pankhuri16 is no more. I remember her as a vivacious bright woman full of ideas and full of life. She was confident. That was something you noticed about her immediately. Her demise is a loss for our startup ecosystem. We lost a bright and young founder, but I know her legacy will live on. It was truly a privilege to know Pankhuri.”

“My heart reaches out to her family at this untimely tragedy,” she added.

Ranjan Anandan, Managing Director of Sequoia India tweeted, “Deeply saddened and shocked by this sudden loss. Pankhuri was so full of life, ideas and passion and had missionary zeal. We loved having Pankhuri in our Surge family and we will miss you so dearly. Thoughts and prayers are with her family in this very difficult time.”

Pankhuri Shrivastava established Grabhouse, a rental firm that was sold to Quikr, an online classifieds company, in a cash and equity agreement in 2016. The 32-year-old serial entrepreneur is credited with inventing the 'Pankhuri' brand, which allows women to socialise.

Pankhuri earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from RGTU in Bhopal. She also taught at Mumbai's municipal schools as part of Teach for India's fellowship programme.