Megha Bhaiya of InstaPro3D on Building a 3D Printing Business in a Male-Dominated Industry

This interview was first published on 26 May 2016 and was rewritten and expanded by Clarin George in September 2026.

Do you remember a time when we had to lie back in a dentist’s chair and bite down on putty moulds to get the right-sized crowns or aligners? Well, those days are long gone! Dentists and orthodontists are now able to use digital scans of the teeth and 3D-print solid plastic replicas of them. The 3D printer can batch-print the precise model of your jaw overnight. This is one small but significant way in which the 3D printing business is changing the world. From medicine and aerospace engineering to the automobile industry, a wide range of fields is now utilizing 3D printing technology to improve their products, and fast. So, what about education? Do 3D printing solutions improve the field of education? Megha Bhaiya would certainly think so.

Megha Bhaiya is among the many innovative female entrepreneurs in India who are utilizing 3D printing technology in the field of education. She is the founder and CEO of InstaPro3D, a company specializing in 3D modelling and prototyping services. What’s more impressive is that she founded the very first 3D printing workshop company of Surat before she even turned 30. She now utilizes the technology in classrooms and workshops to show young minds the endless possibilities 3D printing has to offer. So how did Megha pave her path as one of the standout women in technology?

In a conversation with our team at Feministaa, Megha candidly mentioned that she had to repeatedly establish her credibility and knowledge amongst peers. “People underestimate your potential. There have been times when I received comments such as, ‘What is a delicate girl like you doing in such a tough industry?’ Although, sometimes this can work to your advantage as well when you deliver more than their expectations.”

When you navigate the startup ecosystem as one of the many resilient female entrepreneurs in India, you don’t just have to exceed your peers’ expectations but also your family’s. When Megha completed her graduation from Lancaster University, she first joined her family business. In the back of her mind, she always knew that she would rather work on something of her own. When she turned 24, she finally decided to step out of her comfort zone and make an identity of her own. That was the genesis of InstaPro3D.

“My parents were a little apprehensive initially since 24 is a very marriageable age in our society. People around my family always questioned them about when they were going to get me married, and that I should be starting up something only once I am married,” says Megha.

But like many women in technology, she didn’t buy into the societal hype of early marriage and postponing ambitions. “I discussed this with my parents and they completely supported my endeavor for starting up my own tech business of 3D printing,” she adds. Her father, in particular, has been incredibly supportive of her throughout her journey. “He has always encouraged me to keep going forward with this venture and has never pressurized or questioned me for results. Since this is my debut venture, I often get stuck with issues related to various areas of the business. He has constantly helped me resolve them and move ahead.”

But while her family has always been in her corner, the work has not always been easy. Navigating the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs (such as balancing traditional societal expectations alongside a demanding professional role) often adds an extra layer of complexity. Megha has mostly given up on the luxury of a laid-back lifestyle because building a brand new 3D printing business demands a lot of hard work. You can never afford to take a break and sometimes have to work day and night to achieve something. Moving out of the comfort zone while working with her father, Megha quickly adapted to working around the clock. Establishing the process, building a team, strategizing the products: the work was endless. “It was all a little overwhelming in the beginning. But if you set your mind on achieving something, it’s never too difficult to achieve it,” she adds.

We asked Megha what kept her going in spite of all the challenges she faced, and she said, “My parents told me to stop worrying about what can go wrong. I realized that I was on the right track when my work was acknowledged and appreciated not just by family and friends but also by my clients, mentors and industrial gurus. It’s an absolutely wonderful feeling to see your hard work paying off.”

She believes that a woman can be extremely ambitious, fierce and targeted when she’s at work while also having a soft and caring side. She advises future women entrepreneurs to discuss their dreams and ambitions with their family. “They will surely support you. And the feeling that you have your family to support you no matter what will encourage you to over-perform and achieve extraordinary results,” she says.

Megha still has a long way to go in her journey as a woman technopreneur, but she has certainly evolved as an individual and become more confident over time.

“I feel that I am able to gradually change the way daughters are viewed in my family. Even though I have a long way to go to be completely successful at what I am doing, my family is proud of me for taking a step that many fear,” says Megha proudly.

In the end, she has a message for every female entrepreneur in India: “Take a chance, give it your best, and trust me, you will surprise yourself!”

Lessons for young women founders

Megha Bhaiya’s journey with InstaPro3D offers invaluable takeaways for young women looking to break into male-dominated tech industries or launch their own ventures:

• People may question your place in a tough industry, but your execution and deliverables speak for themselves. Stick to the work and let your results do the talking.
• A woman’s prime working years often coincide with the traditional timeline society sets for marriage and family. By openly discussing your professional ambitions with your family, you can build a strong support system to sustain you through the low points of your career.
• Building a business demands grit, long hours, and relentless problem-solving. While this often comes at the temporary cost of a social life, the hard work pays dividends in time.
• Being fiercely ambitious and deeply caring are not mutually exclusive traits. You can build a cutting-edge business while remaining a “feminine” woman.