Tech Family Trades Corporate Jobs for Eco-Packaging Success, Reaching Rs 10 Crore Revenue
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A family of tech professionals has successfully transitioned from their corporate careers to establish a thriving eco-friendly food packaging business. Aecoz, founded in 2019, has rapidly grown, achieving a remarkable revenue of Rs 10 crore by offering sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic packaging for the food industry. The company is now expanding its operations globally.
From Tech Careers to Sustainable Packaging
Dhanvita Sathyanand, her husband Srinidhi Rajaram, and her brother Bharath Sathyanand, all hailing from coastal Karnataka, left their high-paying jobs to embark on an entrepreneurial journey. Initially, they founded Agrainz, a procurement company for hotels and restaurants. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their business, prompting them to pivot towards the biodegradable packaging sector, leading to the creation of Aecoz.
Addressing the Plastic Menace
The founders were motivated by the significant amount of plastic waste generated by the food industry. Witnessing the environmental impact of single-use plastics, they sought to create a viable and sustainable alternative. Aecoz specialises in producing food-grade paper packaging that is spill-proof, heat-safe, and 98% biodegradable within 180 days. Their product range includes bowls, cups, boxes, and lids made from certified paper, designed to replace conventional plastic packaging without compromising on quality or functionality.
Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Growth
Launching Aecoz presented several hurdles. Initially, convincing businesses to switch to more expensive biodegradable packaging was challenging, especially during the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic. The startup adopted a bootstrapped approach, pooling the founders' savings. Despite these difficulties, Aecoz persevered, focusing on quality and customer needs. They successfully secured high-profile clients such as MTR, Lulu Mall, and Magnolia Bakery. The company has prevented an estimated 4 lakh kilograms of plastic from entering landfills and is now expanding its reach to the UK market, with plans for further global growth.
Key Takeaways
- Aecoz, a Bengaluru-based startup, offers biodegradable food packaging solutions.
- Founded by Dhanvita Sathyanand, Srinidhi Rajaram, and Bharath Sathyanand.
- The company has achieved Rs 10.25 crore in revenue since its inception.
- Aecoz aims to replace plastic packaging in the food industry globally.
Future Outlook
Aecoz's mission is to be present wherever food is consumed and to replace plastic packaging with sustainable alternatives. The founders aspire to build Aecoz into a world-class sustainable packaging brand, with their expansion into London marking the beginning of their international growth strategy. They believe that even small changes in packaging can contribute significantly to a cleaner future.