An MBA graduate turned his love for Kerala banana chips into a successful business, impressing even the judges of Shark Tank India.
Manas Madhu, a resident of Alappuzha, Kerala, has given traditional banana chips a premium and modern makeover through his startup 'Beyond Snacks. Let’s explore how he shook up the business world with a straightforward idea that even impressed the judges on Shark Tank.
How did Beyond Snacks start?
MBA graduate Manas Madhu quit his corporate job in 2018 and laid the foundation of 'Beyond Snacks'. His aim was to introduce banana chips, a local specialty of Kerala, as a premium snack across the country. Whenever he went out for work or studies, his parents always packed banana chips for him. Noticing that the market offered only a few brands, mostly available at local shops, he was inspired to launch his own banana chips business. The only question was: how to get started?
Business ideas
From the very beginning, he had a desire to start a business, but he struggled to find the right idea. One day, he came across an article on "Value Addition," which sparked inspiration. He realized that banana chips could be transformed with premium flavours and improved packaging. This insight became a pivotal moment in his life.
Experimented with new flavours
Beyond Snacks introduced traditional banana chips in a variety of exciting new flavours, including Desi Masala, Peri Peri, Salt and Pepper, Hot & Sweet Chilli, Sour Cream Onion, and Parsley. Manas managed to reimagine a classic snack into something modern and appealing, which quickly gained popularity across the country.
Supporting Kerala's farmers
Beyond Snacks focuses on the procurement of Nendran (Kerala Banana). Bananas are sourced from farmers in South Indian states, keeping in mind the seasonal availability. The company ensures that the bananas are fresh and cooked in pure oil. Additionally, Beyond Snacks' banana chips are cholesterol and trans-fat-free, making them a healthy snack option.
Gradual success
Beyond Snacks products are now available on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Big Basket, and IndiaMart. Along with this, there is an increasing demand for them in retail and supermarkets as well.
Manas saw that Kerala banana chips were already quite famous and he took advantage of its popularity and started selling his product in other parts of the country. Beyond Snacks chips are now easily available in cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Mysore, and Delhi. They have also started selling their products in countries like USA, UAE, Qatar, Nepal, and Mauritius.
Created a buzz on Shark Tank India
Manas Madhu presented his company in the first season of Shark Tank India, where he got a funding deal of Rs 50 lakh for 2.5% equity from Aman Gupta and Ashneer Grover. After this, his company gained incredible success. Within a few months, Beyond Snacks' product became a best-seller on Amazon and Flipkart.
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