Khyaal’s 50Above50 Contest Redefines What It Means to Be a Creator After 50
Khyaal is a neo bank for children to help take care of aging parents in India by offering live sessions, on-demand assistance, secure payments, jobs and more.
In a world obsessed with 30Under30 lists, Khyaal is flipping the narrative—and spotlighting a demographic too often overlooked: senior citizens with stories still unfolding.
The Mumbai-based agetech startup, founded in 2020 by Hemanshu Jain and Pritish Nelleri, just launched 50Above50, a nationwide talent competition for people over 50. The goal? To prove that purpose, passion, and creativity don’t retire—they evolve.
Khyaal, which serves 3M+ senior users with subscription-based services for mental, physical, and social well-being, has long observed its community’s eagerness to participate in activities beyond just healthcare. “This is about Ikigai,” said Jain, “a renewed sense of purpose post-retirement.”
The 50Above50 contest features 50 talent categories, from arts and innovation to community leadership and travel content creation. Khyaal has already received over 10,000 nominations, with live city-based carnivals and auditions happening across 20 Indian cities, including Delhi, Kochi, Indore, and Mumbai.
Among the participants is Bhupinder Kaur, a contestant in the ‘Travel Influencer of the Year’ category, who sums it up best: “This is a celebration of passion and purpose—a reminder to the world that age is just a number.”
Winners will be awarded from a ₹1 crore prize pool, with each category winner receiving ₹2 lakh. Judges include acclaimed artists, authors, and cultural figures like magician Nakul Shenoy, poet Vinita Agarwal, and author Geeta Ramanujam. The grand finale is set for November at NESCO Grounds in Mumbai.
But for many, it’s not about the cash prize. It’s about rediscovery. Just ask Emilia Dennet, competing in the ‘Craftsperson of the Year’ category: “Khyaal reignited the craftsperson in me… It’s a real joy, not just about the prize, but the experience of participating.”
In a time when longevity is increasing and retirement no longer marks the end of ambition, Khyaal’s 50Above50 isn’t just a competition—it’s a cultural correction.
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Listen to Hemanshu Jain with Vir Kashyap on the Venture Everywhere podcast: Silver Linings, Listen now on Apple & Spotify and check out to all our past episodes here!
