Growing up in a joint family, the one snack I eagerly awaited at every gathering or festival was freshly sliced coconut. The crunchy brown shell combined with the soft white flesh made for the perfect bite. And when it comes to coconut water, very few can resist its refreshing taste.
Coconuts have been woven into our lives for generations, offering benefits beyond just our plates. Amidst the lush groves of coconut palms and the rhythmic whispers of the sea, a quiet revolution is brewing in India.
Numerous entrepreneurs are creating a ripple with valuable coconut-based products, creating their own unique blends of tradition, sustainability, and innovation. Here are eight such stories of transforming this humble staple into something extraordinary.
1. Purvina
When the COVID-19 lockdown brought Jaya Avnoor’s various businesses to a standstill, she and her daughter Parvathy saw an opportunity to revive a cherished family tradition and create something meaningful. Together, they launched Purvina in Malappuram, Kerala, focusing on ventha velichenna—virgin coconut oil crafted through a meticulous, labour-intensive process.
The inspiration came from Parvathy’s grandfather, whose Alzheimer’s symptoms were eased by this traditional remedy. “Beyond selling, our dream is to educate people about the benefits of ventha velichenna and make Purvina synonymous with this magic oil,” says Parvathy. Extracting just 250 ml of oil from 10 coconuts, the process is painstaking, but the purity is unmatched.
This versatile oil serves as a moisturiser, makeup remover, wrinkle preventer, and even a salad dressing. With 100% of their workforce being women, Purvina now sells 350 litres monthly, gaining recognition across India for its authenticity.
Get in touch here.
2. Cancrie
“It took us almost 10 to 12 years before we started selling. It gives me immense contentment that we have brought this product to such a level,” reflects Akshay Jain. Alongside Mahi Singh, Akshay co-founded Cancrie, a Jaipur-based startup pioneering the use of coconut shells to produce nanocarbon for batteries.
Their patented nanocarbon not only boosts battery efficiency by 125% but also extends the lifespan and range of batteries, reducing the environmental impact.
Their journey began during their academic years in Singapore, where they researched upcycling agricultural waste. “We’re using waste to make nanocarbons, increasing efficiencies and reducing mining for rare earth metals,” explains Akshay. As the startup sets new standards in energy storage, over 11,000 batteries with Cancrie nanocarbon have made it to the domestic market in Delhi, Navi Mumbai, and Pune.
Get in touch here.
3. Greenaura
like oil, pickle, and chutney, Picture source: Sumila Jayaraj
Sumila Jayaraj, a homemaker from Engandiyur, Kerala, found her path to entrepreneurship after her children left for studies and her husband moved abroad for work. With no prior business experience, Sumila joined a local company manufacturing virgin coconut oil and discovered a deep passion for coconut-based products. This experience laid the foundation for her own venture, Greenaura, launched in 2021.
The brand offers 13 organic coconut products, including cold-pressed virgin coconut oil, made using a nutrient-preserving centrifugal method. Despite challenges, Sumila now earns Rs 20 lakh monthly, with customers spanning the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Malaysia.
“I couldn’t even have thought about this life. Certainly, it was a fulfilling journey,” she shares. Today, she’s a sought-after speaker at universities and international exhibitions, inspiring others with her unexpected journey from homemaker to successful entrepreneur.
Get in touch here.
4. Tengin
As Madhu Kargund grew up helping his farmer father in the fields, he saw the dark side of farming where the life of a farmer is completely dependent on climate and rain patterns. After eight years as a software engineer, his farming roots in Arsikere, Karnataka, drew him back in 2018, inspiring him to launch his startup, Tengin, aimed at helping farmers earn fair profits by transforming coconut parts into a range of products.
“It’s not just about selling products; we’re also sharing the stories of the hardworking farmers behind them,” he says. Madhu ensures zero waste by utilising every part of the coconut—from shell to coir. In doing so, he advocates for the circular economy approach, an innovative concept that addresses coconut waste challenges while promoting economic growth.
He works with over 20 farmers, along with nearly 15 women from Self-Help Groups to create several coconut-based products, including virgin coconut oil, soaps, scrubs, and crockery. Earning monthly revenues of Rs 5 lakh, he also educates customers about the origins of these products, positioning Tengin as a brand that supports local livelihoods while promoting environmental responsibility.
Get in touch here.
5. Thenga
Picture source: Maria Kuriakose
“It has been my childhood dream to start a business of my own but I did not have an idea about what it could be,” says Maria Kuriakose, who is now the founder of Thenga, launched in 2019. Inspired by the waste she saw at a coconut oil mill, Maria decided to repurpose discarded coconut shells into eco-friendly products. With her father’s help, she developed low-cost machinery to craft bowls, teacups, and candles.
Since 2020, Thenga has stood as a model of sustainability, saving over 5,25,000 coconuts from going to landfills. They sell an average of 11,500 products monthly and employ 20 local artisans from Thrissur, Kottayam, and Wayanad to handcraft the products. Maria has expanded her product range and grown her business across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Get in touch here.
6. Sunbird Straws
Saji Varghese, a 55-year-old English professor at Christ University, Bengaluru, developed an innovative way to combat plastic pollution by creating biodegradable straws from discarded coconut leaves. Inspired by the waste he observed on campus, Saji harnessed the natural properties of coconut leaves to make straws that are hydrophobic and anti-fungal.
With support from organisations like Accenture and HCL, he launched Sunbird Straws and set up production units in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, employing 107 women. “The straws have been able to prevent the burning of coconut leaves, have helped reduce the usage of plastic straws and have empowered women in rural communities. All of this from a straw worth Rs 3. I think that is the kind of impact we must all strive for,” says Saji.
Today, Sunbird Straws caters to 68 hotels in Bengaluru and exports to 10 countries, including Spain and the UK. The company manufactures 30,000 straws per day, making a significant environmental and social impact.
Get in touch here.
7. Evlogia Eco Care
Picture source: Evlogia Eco Care
Building on the success of coconut leaf straws, another eco-friendly innovation has emerged from Bengaluru. Evlogia Eco Care, founded by Manigandan Kumarappan in 2018, produces ‘Kokos Leafy Straws’ from discarded coconut leaves. These straws are crafted through a detailed process that starts with women from Self-Help Groups in Tamil Nadu collecting and preparing the leaves. They also produce eco-friendly cutlery like plates and spoons.
At the Bengaluru production unit, local women roll the leaves into sturdy straws that can last up to six hours in cold beverages. Initially producing just 100 straws a day, the startup now manufactures 10,000 daily, supplying to countries like Canada, UAE, and Germany. “The coconut leaf straw is sturdy and does not get soggy like paper straws,” says Nakul, who purchases straws from Evlogia Eco Care for his cafe in Chikmagalur.
Get in touch here.
8. Malai Biomaterials Design
Zuzana Gombosova and Susmith C Suseelan co-founded Malai Biomaterials Design Pvt Ltd in Kerala, creating a sustainable leather alternative from coconut water. This innovative material, known as Malai, is produced through a unique fermentation process using coconut water, banana fibre, and natural dyes. The result is a vegan, biodegradable material that decomposes within 150 days and mimics the properties of leather. The best part? There are no aggressive chemicals used in the entire process.
Malai has been tested for durability and water resistance, earning certifications and recognition at international design events. With a production capacity of 200 square metres per month, Malai is gaining popularity among eco-conscious consumers and prestigious clients in Europe and the US. The PETA-approved company aims to expand its reach, making this eco-friendly alternative more accessible in the Indian market.
Get in touch here.
Edited by Padmashree Pande.
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