Today, after the COVID-19 pandemic, animalborne diseases are being taken very seriously and countries are trying to minimize contact with animals as much as possible. With an aim to provide an organic and healthy replacement for meat, Reena Sharma along with her husband founded Shandi Global which makes 100 percent plant-based meat analogs. The company is on the mission of replacing meat and not the food where you don’t need to change your recipe but just substitute the real meat with their product and enjoy the same taste, texture, and feel.

Reena Sharma has completed her graduation from Mumbai College of Pharmacy and obtained her Doctorate in Biotechnology later. She comes from a healthcare background and has working experience of 17 years in this industry. After gaining the insight that food is all about health and taste, she co-founded her own food-tech company widely known as Shandi Global and started her entrepreneurial journey. Her experience, knowledge, and passion for providing healthy and organic replacement of meat have brought various laurels to the company. Reena Sharma engaged in an exclusive interaction with us, let’s hear from her.

What motivated you to establish Shandi Global? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the venture and its key areas of specialization.

While the idea of plant-based food has been around for a while, the limited supply and high cost made it difficult for people to adopt it as a viable alternative to meat. As a vegetarian myself, I observed that fast food chains in many countries primarily served non-vegetarian options. With the COVID-19 pandemic and growing awareness about animal cruelty, more people started showing interest in plant-based food. This inspired my husband, who is a food scientist, and me, a healthcare professional, to come up with innovative ways to create nutritious and tasty plant-based alternatives to meat.

We wanted to create a company that specialized in providing plant-based meat analogs that could replace meat without compromising on its taste, texture, or nutritional value. Thus, we co-founded Shandi Global with the mission to replace meat without changing the food, allowing people to enjoy the same taste and texture they love without harming animals or the environment.

How do you think the company's growth journey has been since its inception and what are your key focus areas in terms of driving growth for the company?

Our aim is not just to grow the company financially but to make a positive impact on the environment and people's health. We have had a promising start with a strong presence in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, with our scheduled launch in Australia and New Zealand in this July. We have also established strong partnerships with suppliers and distributors to ensure the smooth supply chain of our products. Moving forward, we are looking to expand our reach to other regions while continuing to focus on product quality, affordability, and sustainability. Doing this, we are confident that our brand FOREVER will spread across the world and last forever with the same great taste.

"My knowledge and experience in the healthcare industry have motivated me to start something of my own in the food-tech industry"

What are some of the most critical challenges you encounter as a food entrepreneur? What steps do you undertake to overcome these roadblocks?

As a food entrepreneur, I found establishing a trustworthy and reliable brand a significant challenge. Educating consumers about plant-based meat substitutes' benefits and nutritional value helped us overcome the unfamiliarity obstacle. We invested heavily in research and development, ensuring our products have similar taste and texture to real meat. Another challenge was building an efficient distribution network to reach different markets. We established partnerships with various suppliers, distributors, and retailers and leveraged e-Commerce platforms to reach out to customers directly. To succeed in the food industry, one must have a clear understanding of the market, consumers, and their preferences. Research and development, a reliable distribution network, and educating people about your product's value are crucial steps to building a successful food business.

Tell us about the top three milestones that Shandi Global has achieved so far.

As the founder of Shandi Global, I am proud of the company's notable achievements. We were able to close the seed fund within two years of our inception, which helped us to scale up the product and touch price parity. Additionally, we have Singapore's largest commercial facility where we produce our plant-based meat analogs. Our commitment to providing healthy and nutritious plant-based meals to the community is reflected in the hundreds of meals we serve to schools, colleges, and hospitals. Moreover, we are continuously expanding our product range to cater to different markets and preferences. These milestones have helped establish Shandi Global as a trusted and innovative brand in Singapore and beyond.

What is your vision for Shandi Global’s next growth phase?

Our vision for the next growth phase of Shandi Global is to become a globally recognized brand for providing healthy and organic meat replacements. We aim to create a sustainable food system that supports both the planet and the people. We will continue to innovate and create new products that cater to different markets and consumer needs. In addition, we will focus on expanding our B2C segment and making our products more accessible to the masses. Our ultimate goal is to replace meat as the primary source of protein with our plant-based alternatives, making a significant impact on the environment and people's health. We are committed to providing nutritious, delicious, and affordable food to everyone, and we will continue to work towards achieving our vision with passion and dedication.

Reena Sharma, Co-Founder & CEO, Shandi Global

Reena has completed her graduation from Mumbai College of Pharmacy and obtained her Doctorate in Biotechnology later. Having a proven track record in the healthcare industry, Reena Sharma started her own plant-based food-tech company to replace meat but not food.