Avani Modi Sarkar
Avani Modi Sarkar co-founded Modi Toys in 2018, creating Hindu faith-based plush toys celebrating South Asian culture. After 15 years in corporate, she launched the company to increase diversity in play. A Rutgers Business School alumna, she's a Forbes Next 1000 honoree and Inc Female Founder 100.
Avani Modi Sarkar's Bio
Avani Modi Sarkar co-founded Modi Toys with her brother Viral Modi in 2018, creating a children's brand of plush toys and illustrated books rooted in Hindu faith and South Asian culture. Before launching Modi Toys, she spent 15 years in corporate America, bringing marketing and operations discipline to the business. Four months after presenting her first toy sketch to a manufacturer, the company was underway. Modi Toys' mantra-singing plush toys and board books are powered by purpose and play, designed to help Hindu families pass cultural traditions to their children through everyday play. Since launching, the brand has sold nearly 40,000 products and has been recognized on the Inc. Female Founders 100 list and the Forbes Next 1000. Based in New Jersey, Modi Toys is a minority-led, family-owned business. Avani is a Rutgers Business School alumna and was named NJ Family Magazine's 2022 Mompreneur of the Year.
Career Timeline
2018 — Founded Modi Toys
Co-founded Modi Toys with brother Viral Modi, creating Hindu faith-based plush toys and children books.
2021 — Inc. Female Founders 100
Named to Inc. Magazine 2021 Female Founders 100 list.
2021 — Forbes Next 1000
Named to the Forbes Next 1000 list of inspiring entrepreneurs.
2022 — NJ Family Mompreneur of the Year
Recognized as NJ Family Magazine 2022 Mompreneur of the Year.
2023 — EY Entrepreneur of the Year NJ Finalist
Selected as a finalist for EY Entrepreneur of the Year in New Jersey.
2023 — Tory Burch Fellow
Selected as a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow, supporting women entrepreneurs.
2025 — Modi Toys pauses operations
After 7 years, Modi Toys announced a pause in operations.
