Saathi

What Saathi does

Saathi is an Ahmedabad, India-based consumer packaged goods company founded in 2015 by MIT graduates Kristin Kagetsu, Tarun Bothra, and Grace Kane. It manufactures biodegradable and compostable sanitary pads and related menstrual hygiene products using a patented process that converts agricultural waste — primarily banana fiber sourced from Gujarat farmers and bamboo fiber — into absorbent materials. Products biodegrade within 6 months, compared to 500-800 years for conventional plastic pads, and the company operates an all-women manufacturing unit that provides employment to women from the local community. Beyond its core pads line, Saathi sells menstrual cups (medical-grade silicone), panty liners, bamboo toothbrushes, neem combs, yoga cards, and curated plastic-free kits (Wanderlust, Nirvana, Peace Treaty).

The company runs a multi-channel go-to-market: direct-to-consumer e-commerce at saathipads.com with customizable monthly subscriptions and a Saathi Seeds loyalty program, retail distribution across India, B2B bulk sales for corporates and NGOs, and international sales through the Distacart marketplace. Pricing spans Rs. 120 trial packs to Rs. 1,799 premium kits. A separate impact-distribution channel — the 1 Million Pads Initiative — partners with Give India, Project Kilimanjaro, and Tattv Bodh Foundation to deliver pads to underserved women at INR 1,500 ($20) per beneficiary per year, and a Plastic Avoidance Credits program monetizes the company's ESG positioning with corporate buyers.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Saathi has funded growth primarily through grants and accelerators (Asia Society, MIT Solve, Hello Tomorrow, Grand Challenges Canada, KKR Small Business Grant, Pipeline Angels, Katapult Ocean, The Circulars, MassChallenge) rather than large institutional venture rounds. The company has accumulated 30+ awards including TIME's 100 Best Inventions, St Andrews Prize for the Environment, UNESCO Green Citizen Award, and Forbes 30 Under 30, and is classified as a purpose-driven private social enterprise headquartered in Gujarat, India, with 11-50 employees.

Name

Saathi

Legal name

Saathi

Website

https://saathipads.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Saathi is an Ahmedabad-based consumer goods company that manufactures biodegradable sanitary pads and menstrual hygiene products from banana and bamboo fiber agri-waste, selling via DTC e-commerce, retail, subscriptions, and CSR partnerships across India and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Menstrual Hygiene Products

NAICS

Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing (322291)

SIC

Papers & Allied Products (2600)

akta.pro primary industry

Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads, Tampons, Liners) (CRADALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Menstrual Pads (Disposable) (CRABAIAA), Compostable & Biodegradable Disposable Supplies (CRAJAGAK)

Keywords

• Biodegradable sanitary pads
• Menstrual hygiene products
• Sustainable feminine care
• Compostable period products
• Menstrual cup manufacturer

Headquarters

HQ city

Ahmedabad

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Direct sales of eco-friendly menstrual hygiene products including sanitary pads (banana fiber and bamboo fiber), menstrual cups, panty liners, and accessories through e-commerce and retail channels
2. Subscription Revenue: Recurring monthly subscription model for bamboo and banana fiber pads offering cost savings, providing predictable recurring revenue stream
3. CSR/NGO Partnerships: B2B partnerships with corporations for CSR initiatives and NGO collaborations for product distribution to underserved populations through the 1 Million Pads Initiative
4. Plastic Avoidance Credits: Program offering companies carbon offset and plastic avoidance credits through direct partnerships, allowing companies to offset their plastic footprint

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Saathi manufactures and sells biodegradable and compostable menstrual hygiene products, principally sanitary pads made from banana fiber and bamboo fiber, using a patented process that converts agri-waste into absorbent material. The company also produces reusable silicone menstrual cups, panty liners, trial packs, subscription boxes, and plastic-free accessory kits, sold direct-to-consumer online and through retail, B2B bulk, and NGO/CSR distribution channels.

Product overview

Saathi is a purpose-driven manufacturing company that makes eco-friendly hygiene products. Its core product portfolio centers on biodegradable and compostable sanitary pads made from two primary plant-based materials: bamboo fiber and banana fiber sourced from Gujarat farmers. The banana fiber pads are the original flagship product, derived from discarded agri-waste from banana tree harvesting, while bamboo fiber pads are a complementary line made from 100% certified bamboo. Both pad lines are offered in regular, overnight, and XL absorbency sizes, and are available through one-time purchase or a customizable subscription service. Trial packs in banana-only, bamboo-only, and hybrid (combined) formats help new customers discover preferred materials. Beyond sanitary pads, Saathi has expanded into the broader reusable period care category with a Medical Grade VI Silicone menstrual cup (reusable for up to 2 years) and an accompanying sterilizer container. The company also offers a range of wellness and lifestyle accessories including yoga cards, bamboo toothbrushes, neem combs, reusable tote bags, and several curated plastic-free kits (Wanderlust Green Kit, Nirvana Self-Care Kit, Peace Treaty Kit) that bundle pads with cups. All products are positioned around the company's three-pillar mission: benefit to the body (rash-free, chemical-free), community (women employment, farmer income), and environment (biodegradable within 6 months, plastic-free).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Saathi Loyalty: Loyalty rewards program where customers earn seeds for purchases, reviews, and social engagement that can be redeemed for discounts

Products and services

• Bamboo Fiber Biodegradable Sanitary Pads 12-pad pack of biodegradable sanitary pads made from 100% certified bamboo fiber, available in regular, overnight, and XL absorbencies. Designed for rash-free, chemical-free, and compostable period care for individual menstruators.
• Banana Fiber Biodegradable Sanitary Pads Biodegradable and compostable sanitary pads made from banana fiber agri-waste sourced from Gujarat farmers. Available in regular, overnight, and XL sizes, including a 30-pad super-saver pack, providing chemical-free and plastic-free period care.
• Bamboo Fiber Biodegradable Panty Liners Ultra-thin, anti-bacterial, natural, unbleached bamboo fiber panty liners in a 24-pad pack, designed for daily protection and rash-free comfort.
• Saathi Reusable Menstrual Cup Reusable menstrual cup made from 100% Medical Grade VI Silicone, worn internally for up to 2 years, offering a sustainable alternative to disposable pads. Includes standalone cup and Menstrual Cup Starter Kit configurations.
• Biodegradable Sanitary Pads Subscription Monthly customizable subscription for bamboo and banana fiber pads, offering recurring delivery, convenience, and cost savings versus one-time purchases for individual menstruators.
• Trial Packs Low-cost entry trial packs in banana fiber, bamboo fiber, hybrid (bamboo+banana), and Friends Combo formats, allowing new customers to try and compare materials before committing to full-size packs.
• Plastic-Free Kits Curated plastic-free kits (Wanderlust Green Kit, Nirvana Self-Care Kit, Peace Treaty Kit) bundling pads, menstrual cups, and accessories to encourage customers to transition to sustainable, body-friendly period care.
• Sustainable Personal Care Accessories Plastic-free personal care accessories including bamboo toothbrush, neem comb, neem comb + bamboo toothbrush combo, reusable Saathi tote bag, Saathi sterilizer container for menstrual cups, and Saathi yoga cards for mindful practice.

Quantifiable outcome

• Saathi pads degrade within 6 months - 1200 times faster than plastic pads
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and support.

• Give IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the 1 Million Pads Initiative enabling tax-deductible donations (80G benefits in India) for providing sustainable menstrual products to underserved women. Donations of INR 1500 ($20) provide 1 menstruator with products and education for a full year.
• Project KilimanjarocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based NGO partner for 1 Million Pads Initiative, enabling tax-deductible contributions for US-based donors supporting menstrual health in India.
• Tattv Bodh FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia-based NGO partner for 1 Million Pads Initiative, working on ground-level distribution and menstrual hygiene education for underserved women.
• DistacartsupportChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational sales distribution partner making Saathi products available to customers outside India through Distacart marketplace platform.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Natracare: UK-based global leader in organic, plastic-free menstrual pads and liners. Closest international comparable on biodegradable, plant-based pad technology and sustainability-led brand positioning.
• Pee Safe: India-based hygiene brand spanning menstrual, intimate, and toilet hygiene products via DTC and retail. Comparable on category breadth, channel mix, and Indian D2C/retail strategy.
• Sirona Hygiene: India-based feminine hygiene D2C brand offering menstrual cups, pads, and intimate care. Most direct Indian competitor to Saathi's product mix, targeting similar urban eco-conscious women via DTC and retail.
• The Woman's Company: India-based feminine hygiene brand selling biodegradable pads, menstrual cups, and intimate care via DTC. Closely comparable on product range, sustainability positioning, and Indian D2C model.
• Paree: India-based sanitary pad brand with growing retail footprint. Comparable on core product (sanitary pads) and Indian mass-market channel strategy, though less premium/eco-positioned than Saathi.
• Plush: India-based period care brand (formerly &Me) offering organic/biodegradable pads and supplements. Comparable in mission, product category, and DTC-led go-to-market in India.

Broad incumbents

• DivaCup: Global leader in reusable menstrual cups. Comparable because Saathi also sells menstrual cups and competes for the same reusable-period-care consumer, though DivaCup is the established category incumbent.
• Whisper (Procter & Gamble): Market-leading sanitary pad brand in India by P&G. Represents the dominant incumbent whose plastic-pad share Saathi is targeting; comparable on product category but vastly broader portfolio, distribution, and budget.
• Stayfree (Johnson & Johnson): Established multinational sanitary pad brand competing for the same Indian consumer. Comparable on product category and channel (mass retail) but as a broad incumbent rather than niche eco specialist.

Emerging players

• Cora: US-based organic period care brand (pads, tampons, cups) with strong DTC and subscription model. Comparable on eco-positioning, subscription architecture, and mission-driven brand.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SaathiPads
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCD2Wq5rxEXfFBLV0eJXx3xQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SaathiPads
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3806843
• Instagraminstagram.com/saathipads

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saathi