Dr. Reena Sharma and Dr. Gaurav Sharma, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo, are transforming the plant-based food industry with their $30M venture, Shandi Global. From their humble roots in Jaipur to achieving global success, their journey is a remarkable fusion of tradition, science, and innovation—an inspiring testament to the strength of partnership in both life and business.
Reena grew up in a Rajasthani household that cherished wholesome vegetarian meals, enjoying dishes like Panch Daal—a perfect blend of flavor, nutrition, and protein. This deep connection to nutritious, plant-based food unknowingly planted the seeds for her future venture.
Meanwhile, Gaurav’s fascination with food science and innovation grew as he pursued his academic and professional journey. They two met and quickly realized their shared values and ambitions, making them a formidable team both personally and professionally.
After earning her PhD and establishing herself as a clinical scientist in India, Reena received an opportunity to work in Singapore. Excited by the challenge, she moved to Singapore with her husband, Dr. Gaurav Sharma, a seasoned food scientist, who brought over 18 years of Food & Beverage expertise and a Ph.D. in Nutraceuticals Chemistry.
However, living abroad brought its own challenges, especially when it came to food. The fast-paced life in Singapore demanded convenience, food had to be quick to prepare, easy to eat, and, more often than not, centered on non-vegetarian options for protein, leaving little room for wholesome vegetarian options.
Reena and Gaurav began experimenting in their small Singaporean kitchen, driven by the question: Why couldn’t vegetarian food be as convenient, protein-rich, and delicious as meat? Combining their scientific expertise, they worked tirelessly to replicate the taste, texture, and nutritional profile of real meat—entirely from plants. Months of research paid off when they developed a revolutionary product line using chickpeas, soybeans, and yellow peas. Their creations were versatile, suitable for over 50 recipes, and offered 30% protein content with zero cholesterol and no artificial additives.
In 2022, this passion project turned into Shandi Global, a startup founded with a bold vision: to make high-protein, plant-based food accessible worldwide. Within just three months of launching, their innovative approach caught the attention of investors. They turned down an $8M offer, staying focused on their mission, and instead raised $750,000 to build a factory and scale their business.
Today, Shandi Global boasts an impressive brand valuation of $30M, generating $3.5M in annual revenue. The company offers 13 products that have already captured the imagination of chefs and businesses in the ANZ, APAC, and North American markets. Partnerships with leading distributors in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, the U.S.A., and Canada have solidified its global presence.
For Reena and Gaurav, this is only the beginning. With plans to launch retail products in India and Australia by Q1 2025, Shandi Global is poised to achieve $10M in revenue by FY-25, with projections soaring to an impressive $100M by FY-26.Their journey is proof that tradition and innovation can come together to create something extraordinary. From Panch Daal to cutting-edge plant-based food, Shandi Global is revolutionizing the way the world sees vegetarian protein. Moreover, for them, it all started with a simple dream: to bring wholesome, nutritious, and sustainable food to everyone’s plate. Website: shandiglobal.com
Reena and Gaurav’s journey with Shandi Global exemplifies how tradition and innovation can drive meaningful change. By creating nutritious, sustainable, and plant-based food options, they are redefining the vegetarian protein industry. With ambitious plans for global expansion and a mission to make healthy food accessible, Shandi Global is set to leave a lasting impact worldwide.
PHURR: Experience Elevated Vegetarian Cuisine with Art and Innovation
