Hyderabad Couple Launches Gardening Business, Earns ₹50 Lakh Annually

Seedbasket's story began with a personal quest driven by Naveen Gade and his wife Chandana Gade's concern for their daughter's health. Faced with the challenge of sourcing genuine organic produce in local markets, Naveen and Chandana decided to grow their vegetables on their apartment balcony.

Co-founder Naveen recalls, "Finding quality seeds was a challenge," in an exclusive conversation with Startup Pedia.

Realising that this could also be a challenge for other parents, they launched an organic gardening business, Seedbasket, in 2016.

Initially a solution for their own family, the gardening venture evolved into an online platform dedicated to providing native seeds and gardening supplies. Naveen's background in agriculture, influenced by his parents' farming heritage and his IT sector experience, helped him grow his organic gardening business.

From Corporate Life to Cultivation

Naveen's journey from a corporate career to running an organic gardening business was a significant shift. With a decade of experience in IT roles at companies like Zensor Technologies and Nihilent Technologies, Naveen had a secure job with a decent salary. Despite this, his passion for agriculture remained strong.

Naveen said, "I was a team leader drawing a salary of Rs. 1 lakh per month. It was a decent salary, but my heart was drawn to my roots and passion for agriculture and providing organic produce to all the kids out there," in the Startup Pedia interview.

However, driven by his dedication to agriculture and the growing success of Seedbasket, he took the leap. He left his corporate job in 2018, focusing full-time on his organic gardening business while freelancing until 2021.

Meanwhile, his wife Chandana, who had never worked in a corporate setting, took on the crucial role of managing day-to-day operations.

Product Range and Unique Selling Proposition

Seedbasket's product range has evolved significantly. Starting with a modest selection of 10-15 types of seeds, including basic vegetables like tomatoes and spinach, the company now offers over 300 products.

Their catalogue includes seeds for a wide variety of vegetables, such as ridge gourd, bottle gourd, cluster beans, chilli, and more. They also provide gardening tools, organic pesticides, and kits like microgreen kits and KIds Gardening Kits and seasonal gardening kits.

What sets Seedbasket apart is its focus on native seeds, which is essential for organic gardening. The venture ensures quality through careful storage in cold conditions to maintain seed viability.

Naveen explained, "Native seeds can be used repeatedly from one harvest to the next, unlike hybrid seeds," in the conversation with Startup Pedia.

Initial Challenges and Growth

Starting with an investment of Rs. 1 lakh, Seedbasket's early days were marked by modest beginnings. Beginning with just two orders in the initial month and minimal revenue, the first few years were challenging.

The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a surge in interest in home gardening and people becoming health conscious. Post-COVID, the Hyderabad organic gardening business started receiving around 2,500 monthly orders.

Seedbasket's reach expanded beyond India to international markets, including the US, Australia, Europe, South Africa, and Dubai. Initially catering to urban gardeners in cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad, the pandemic helped them penetrate rural areas, tapping into a broader customer base.

"Our revenue gradually grew from Rs. 1 lakh per year to Rs. 5 lakh per year. However, during COVID, the revenue surged to Rs. 7 lakh annually," the co-founder of Seedbasket told Startup Pedia.

Seedbasket operates through multiple channels, including its dedicated website and major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. The company's sales are evenly split between its website and these platforms.

Their online presence has significantly boosted their reach, allowing them to serve customers nationwide, from Kerala to Jammu and Kashmir and beyond.

"For the last two years, we have been generating Rs. 40-50 lakh in revenue annually. However, more than the money, what excites us is the impact we are able to create on the health of others," said the co-founder while speaking to Startup Pedia.

The organic gardening company has made a positive community impact through partnerships with major organizations such as Tata, HelpAge India, and Toyota Industries by providing seeds to them. They also supply seeds to NGOs, helping schools grow vegetables for students.

The co-founder added, "Moreover, thousands of customers who are ordering our seeds are able to grow organic veggies and consume them regularly. This is leading them to have healthier lives in the long run," during the interaction with Startup Pedia.

Future Plans and Vision

Looking ahead, Seedbasket aims to expand its reach and product offerings further. The business is targeting a revenue of Rs. 1 crore for the year 2024-25.

To achieve that goal, Seedbasket plans to develop a mobile app to enhance digital accessibility and focus on gardening kits and NGO contracts to achieve their financial goals.

"We want to expand our impact and help more people discover the joys of home gardening for organic produce. It's not just about growing plants; it's about growing a community that cares about what they eat and how it's grown," Naveen, the co-founder of Seedbasket, concludes the Startup Pedia interview.