Assam 3D Startup Delivers to 70+ Countries After Loss

Harsha Pedeka wanted to preserve his best friend's memory with a 3D model, but the technology didn't exist in 2010. That grief sparked a journey that would take him from Canada back to Assam, where he built a company that now ships 3D models to over 70 countries.

Pedeka spent over a decade in Canada before returning to Assam in 2016 with a bold vision. The Northeast wasn't known for startups, and he had no network, peers, or mentors in the region's tiny tech scene.

He founded My3DSelfie after years of immersing himself in 3D modeling. A chance encounter at a US mall in 2015 changed everything when he saw a massive scanner capturing people for figurines. He realized the real value wasn't the physical product but the 3D data itself.

Over the next decade, his team built one of the world's largest datasets of 3D human models. That foundation now powers AI applications in gaming, film, and beyond. In 2024, Google named My3DSelfie one of India's top 20 AI startups.

The work carries deep emotional weight. One project involved converting a terminally ill sketch artist's superhero drawings into 3D figurines. The models arrived days before his passing, bringing joy in his final moments. "It was as if he was waiting for his figurines to come alive before saying goodbye," Pedeka shares.

The early years in Assam were lonely. Explaining 3D modeling in a state without an established tech ecosystem proved challenging. But the isolation began to fade as Assam invested in incubation centers, pandemic relief grants, and connections to venture capital networks.

The state's broader economic moves helped too. A new semiconductor assembly unit, upgraded airports, and improved highways are reshaping the region. "Very soon, you'll see international transactions with Japan and South Korea happening from Assam," Pedeka says.

Why This Inspires

Pedeka sees Assam itself as a startup, with everyone contributing to its growth. His company proves that world-class innovation can emerge from unexpected places when founders commit to their communities.

His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: solve problems you genuinely care about, learn from mistakes, and stay focused. Building from Assam wasn't just possible for him—it became his greatest source of pride.

From an office in India's Northeast, My3DSelfie delivers to global giants and shows the world what the region can build.