I come from a humble background, raised in a modest family, and married into a middle-class household. As a first-generation entrepreneur in both families, I've always dreamed of standing on my own feet and supporting my loved ones. Being a mother of three, I became concerned about my children's eating habits, especially their preference for junk food. This led me to envision providing healthy and nutritious food options that are accessible, affordable, and appealing to all ages. Coming from a farming family, I grew up consuming millets and understood their health benefits. I discussed the idea with a family friend who is an Ayurveda practitioner. With a dedicated team of experts in food technology, clinical nutrition, and Ayurveda, we developed a range of gluten-free millet products. This journey culminated in the launch of our brand, Nutrimillet, offering the best of both worlds in nutrition and taste. At the start, people thought millet products were just for people with lower incomes. We had to break that stereotype and show everyone that millet snacks are for everyone. Not many knew about the benefits of gluten-free snacks. So, we had to spread the word about why it's good for health. Education has become a big part of our mission. The pandemic hit hard. Starting our production during the lockdown wasn't easy. Retailers were hesitant about new products, and the usual "Cash and Carry" model was out of the window. We had to adapt, facing cash flow issues and inventory challenges. The first year brought losses, and things got so tight that personal jewellery had to be used to keep the business afloat. The next few years turned things around. Sales soared to 12 lakhs, and profits were close to 25%. In 2022, we took it to the next level, incorporating a Pvt. Ltd. company. We've got around 2000 families on board from metros, urban areas, and rural areas.
Problem: In today's post-COVID-19 world, people are more focused on finding food that tastes great and provides good nutrition. There's a growing concern about diseases like obesity and diabetes, which has made people more interested in gluten-free and healthy foods. With more women working, there's a higher demand for quick and convenient meals that can fit into busy schedules. However, these quick meals often come with drawbacks such as excessive use of preservatives and chemicals and a lack of nutritional value, contributing to the rise in lifestyle diseases.
Solution: At NutriMillets, we've assembled a team of experts in food technology, clinical nutrition, and Ayurveda to develop a product line that combines the best of traditional wisdom with modern nutritional science. Our range of millet-based snacks and meals offers guilt-free indulgence, balancing taste and nutrition at an affordable price point. Our ready-to-eat products aim to reintroduce millets in appealing new forms beyond traditional staples like roti or bread.
We specialize in a variety of gluten-free products made from jowar, bajra, and ragi:
Instant Mixes: Idli Mix (Rice-Free), Appe Mix, Dahiwada Mix (Trans Fat-Free), Dhokla Mix, Thalipeeth Mix.
Namkeen Savories: Jowar Chivda (Garlic and Khatta Mitha Flavors), Jowar-Gram-Moth Beans Sev (Garlic and Chat Masala Flavors).
Gluten-Free Jowar-Jaggery Cookies (available in 5 flavors): Dry Fruits, Tutti Frutti, Jeera, Kasuri Methi, Choco Chips.
Extrusion Items: Balls and Kurmura (Puffed Grains).
Sweets: Jowar-Jaggery Laddu.
Beverages: Jowar Beverage (sweet and spiced flavors).
All our products are crafted by food and nutrition experts and are free from gluten, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
Our startup is also positively impacting the ecosystem in the following ways:
Empowerment of Underprivileged Women: We provide employment to two female helpers from underprivileged backgrounds, contributing to their economic empowerment and social upliftment.
Support for Sustainable Agriculture: Our use of jowar, bajra, and ragi promotes these traditional grains, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. By increasing demand for these crops, we support local farmers and contribute to agricultural diversity and resilience.
Educational and Cultural Revival: Through our products, which reintroduce millets in innovative forms like instant mixes and cookies, we are educating consumers about the nutritional benefits and culinary versatility of millets.
Winner of ‘National Entrepreneur Award’ by the Odisha Corporate Foundation
Received ‘Moha Stand on Your Feet Award’ for unique product and business model
Received ‘India 5000 Women Achiever Award 2021’
Received ‘Nehru Yuva Kendra Award 2020’
Startup India Portal is a one of its kind online platform for all stakeholders of the startup ecosystem in India.
