Success Story: Chemical Engineer Turns Kitchen Into Startup, Now Earning ₹2 Lakh Per Month

Pune-based Entrepreneur Redefines Career Path
Kalyani Chavali, a chemical engineer from Pune, has transformed her professional journey by swapping laboratory test tubes for cooking pans. She is the founder of Sahrudaya Foods, a startup she launched in 2021. Today, the company generates an annual revenue of ₹24 lakh by providing healthy snacks and sweets to consumers while empowering rural women through employment opportunities.

From Lab to Entrepreneurship
Originally from Hyderabad and raised in Pune, 24-year-old Kalyani had plans to pursue higher education abroad. However, the COVID-19 pandemic altered her trajectory. During this time, she collaborated on a project with a science ashram in Pabal village, Maharashtra, where she met rural women skilled in preparing traditional, nutritious foods. Inspired by their expertise, she decided to create a business that combines traditional culinary knowledge with modern technology—thus founding Sahrudaya Foods.

Applying Engineering Expertise
Kalyani leveraged her chemical engineering background to maintain the nutritional integrity of her products. For instance, when making moringa (drumstick) chikki, she avoids overheating to preserve Vitamin C. Her offerings—such as Garelu (Telangana snack), Moringa Chikki, and Saptadhanya Laddoo—are free from refined flour, sugar, or preservatives. These products are now popular not only in Pune but also in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, as well as internationally in the U.S. (California) and Japan.

A Unique and Socially Responsible Business Model
Sahrudaya Foods is not only profit-driven but also socially impactful. Kalyani has trained over 160 rural women from Assam, Jaipur, and Maharashtra. Women working in her kitchens receive salaries, and 70% of the company’s raw materials are sourced directly from their farms, providing them a dual benefit. Kalyani’s mother, Lakshmi, assists in managing the kitchen, creating a home-like environment for the women.

Revenue Milestone
Despite initial challenges, Kalyani persevered, starting by supplying immunity-boosting snacks to COVID care centers. Today, her startup earns over ₹2 lakh per month. She has also received a ₹10.4 lakh grant from Startup India and a fellowship from the Buddha Institute, boosting her vision further. Kalyani is determined to take India’s traditional culinary heritage to the global stage while contributing to the country’s rapid growth.