What AVANI does

Avani is a non-profit, community-based organization headquartered at Tripuradevi in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. It was founded in 1997 as the Kumaon chapter of Barefoot College, Tilonia, and registered as an independent entity (Avani Society) in 1999 by Rashmi Bharti and Rajnish Jain. The organization generates sustainable livelihoods for rural communities through three program verticals: a textile and natural-dye programme organised under the Kumaon EarthCraft Self Reliant Cooperative, a clean-energy business operated by Avani Bio Energy, and the Abhivyakti alternative-education primary school. Its principal beneficiaries are vulnerable rural women (78% of programme participants), the Shauka community, and the Bora community (over 63% of artisans), engaged across 60+ villages and 1,500+ cooperative artisans; 2,200+ artisans and farmers have been served cumulatively.

The textile programme produces handwoven shawls, stoles, scarves, sarees, throws, and home furnishings, alongside knitted accessories, using traditional hand-spinning and hand-weaving on solar-powered spinning wheels. The natural-dye palette is built from more than 50 indigenous plant species yielding 30 colour shades, including Indigofera Tinctoria (and altitude-adapted Strobilanthes Cusia and Polygonum Tinctorium introduced under the 2010 Himalayan Indigo Project), Myrobolan, Pomegranate, Walnut, Eupatorium, Marigold, Sappanwood, Shellac, and Madder. Avani Bio Energy operates pine-needle gasification power plants (a 120 kW commercial unit was commissioned in Chachret in 2013) and efficient charcoal cook stoves, with each plant serving 100-150 households and supporting ~100 collecting families. The Tripuradevi campus is a closed-loop system with 670,000 litres of rainwater storage and full wastewater recycling, and is self-sufficient in electricity via solar and gasification. Avani's dye inputs and organic soap-nut powder hold GOTS Version 7.0 and Eco Dye Standard Version 1.0 certifications.

Revenue is generated across handwoven textiles and home furnishings, hand-knitted accessories, lifestyle products (organic Kumkum, Holi colours, rangoli powder, beeswax crayons, non-toxic water colours), natural-dye powders and extracts sold to other textile producers, GOTS-certified eco-cleansers (soap-nut powder and crystals), art and craft kits, and workshops and camps (Himalayan Ecocamp, Natural Dye Workshop) together with on-campus guest-house and dormitory accommodation. Distribution runs through the owned avani-earthcraft.com e-store, three physical retail locations (Tripuradevi, Sitla Mukteshwar, and Shahpur Jat in Delhi), and third-party marketplaces (Okhai, Flourish, Spirit of Threads, Goodmarket, India Handmade). Marketing relies on a blog, Facebook and Instagram, a Google Arts and Culture exhibit, podcast appearances, and earned media in BBC, The Telegraph, The Hindu, Indian Express, and Yourstory.

Name

AVANI

Legal name

Avani Society

Website

https://avani-kumaon.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AVANI is a non-profit, community-based organisation in India's Kumaon Himalayas operating a textile cooperative producing handwoven apparel and natural dyes, a clean-energy business using pine-needle gasification, and an alternative-education primary school.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Handwoven Textiles & Natural Dyes

NAICS

Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing (32513), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (113210)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Forestry (800), Pens, Pencils & Other Artists' Materials (3950)

akta.pro primary industry

Natural Dyes, Tannins & Colorants from Forest Products (AFAMAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agroforestry & Perennial Cropping Systems (EUABABAD), Bio-based Materials & Fibers (e.g., cellulose derivatives, lignin-based materials, nanocellulose) (EUAAAIAD)

Keywords

• Handwoven textiles
• Natural dye production
• Pine needle gasification
• Sustainable handicrafts
• Artisan cooperative

Headquarters

HQ city

Pithoragarh

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Handwoven Textiles and Natural Dye Products: Sale of handwoven textiles including shawls, stoles, scarves, sarees, apparel, and home furnishings produced through the Earthcraft Cooperative. All products use natural fibres (wool, silk, linen) and plant-based dyes.
2. Natural Dye Powders and Extracts: Raw materials including pigment and extract for natural dyes sold to other textile producers. Products include Himalayan Blue Natural Indigo, Myrobolan, Pomegranate, Walnut, Eupatorium, Marigold, Sappanwood, Shellac, Madder, and other plant-based colourants.
3. Eco-Cleansers and Lifestyle Products: Organic soap nut powder (detergent), Organic Kumkum, Organic Holi Colours, Natural Rangoli Powder, and lifestyle products like beeswax crayons and non-toxic watercolours.
4. Art Supplies and Craft Kits: Tie and Dye Kits, Colouring Kits, Printing Pastes, and wood stains made from natural dye pigments.
5. Camps and Workshops: Revenue from Himalayan Ecocamp programs and Natural Dye Workshop programs that offer experiential learning experiences for participants.
6. Accommodation Services: On-campus accommodation including guest house rooms with ensuite bathrooms and dormitory accommodation with vegetarian meals included.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Avani produces and sells handwoven textiles, natural dye powders, eco-cleansers, art supplies, and lifestyle products through its Earthcraft Cooperative, a self-sustaining artisan cooperative based in the Kumaon Himalayas. The organization also operates a Bio Energy program built on proprietary pine needle gasification technology that generates clean electricity and cooking charcoal from forest pine needles, and runs the Abhivyakti Primary School on its Tripuradevi campus. Beyond products, Avani offers paid Himalayan Ecocamp and Natural Dye Workshop programs along with on-campus guest house and dormitory accommodation.

Product overview

AVANI is a community-based non-profit organization offering handwoven textiles, natural dyes, eco-home products, art supplies, and lifestyle products through the Earthcraft Cooperative. The organization operates three main programs: the Textile and Natural Dye Program producing handmade textiles and plant-based dyes; the Bio Energy Program developing clean energy technologies including pine needle gasification and solar systems; and the Abhivyakti Primary School providing experiential education. All textile products are naturally dyed using locally sourced plant materials such as indigo, pomegranate, walnut, marigold, and madder. The Earthcraft Cooperative (established 2005) organizes artisans into a self-sustaining business model, while Avani Bio Energy (established 2012) scales renewable energy solutions. AVANI also offers eco-cleansers including certified organic soapnut products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Handwoven and Knitted Textiles Handwoven shawls, stoles, scarves, sarees, apparel, and knitted accessories (hats, mittens, socks, headbands, neckwarmers, toys) produced using traditional hand spinning and weaving techniques with natural fibres and plant-based dyes, sold to eco-conscious consumers.
• Eco-Home Products Home furnishing products including throws, chutkas, thulmas, durries, and cushion covers, plus wood stains and wall paints made from natural materials, for consumers seeking sustainable home goods.
• Art Supplies Non-toxic art supplies including beeswax crayons, non-toxic watercolours, tie and dye kits, colouring kits, and printing pastes created from natural dye pigments, for consumers and crafters.
• Natural Dye Powders Raw natural dye materials including Avani Himalayan Blue Natural Indigo, Myrobolan, Pomegranate, Walnut, Eupatorium, Marigold, Sappanwood, Shellac, and Madder, sold to textile dyers and other producers.
• Eco-Cleansers Eco-friendly cleansing products including soapnut kernels, soapnut powder, soapnut crystals, and organic soap nut powder certified under GOTS Version 7.0, for consumers seeking natural detergents.
• Lifestyle Products Organic lifestyle products including Organic Kumkum, Organic Holi Colours, and Natural Rangoli Powder made from plant-based colourants, for consumers seeking traditional and non-toxic alternatives.
• Himalayan Ecocamp Program A six-day experiential camp program focused on conscious consumption, traditional knowledge, and rural community life in Kumaon, offered to individual travelers and learners on a pay-as-you-go basis.
• Natural Dye Workshop A one-week workshop exploring 6 different natural dye materials and their shades, including 3 days theory/demonstrations, 2 days self-practice, and 1 day excursion, offered to learners and craft enthusiasts.
• Accommodation Services On-campus guest house with five individual ensuite rooms plus kitchenette, and separate dormitories for men and women (5 rooms each accommodating 2-4 persons), with three vegetarian meals and tea/coffee included, offered on a quote-based tariff.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,200+ artisans and farmers have benefited from livelihood opportunities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Google Arts and CulturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvani has a dedicated exhibit on Google Arts and Culture platform showcasing its work in the Kumaon Himalayas, increasing global visibility and digital presence.
• Various Collaborating Institutes and DonorscoreOthersAvani's Partners and Donors page displays logos of approximately 42 collaborating institutes and 24 donors, though specific names are not individually listed in the source material. These include academic institutions, NGOs, government bodies, and funding organizations that support Avani's programs.
• Barefoot College TiloniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvani began its journey in 1997 as the Kumaon chapter of the Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan before registering as an independent entity in 1999.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Barefoot College: Parent organisation of Avani when founded in 1997; operates rural livelihood, solar and water programs across India and Africa. Comparable in mission, rural-appropriate technology focus and decentralised community operating model.
• Dastkar: Indian society supporting over 500 artisan groups with marketing, design and natural-material craft production. Comparable as a larger-scale Indian artisan cooperative umbrella relevant to Earthcraft's positioning.

Direct peers

• Khamir: Kutch-based artisan producer organisation supporting craftspeople with natural dyes, hand printing and traditional textiles. Closest analogue to Earthcraft as an artisan cooperative working with natural dyes in India.
• Anokhi: Indian brand founded in Rajasthan producing block-printed and natural-dyed textiles, apparel and home furnishings. Most directly comparable Indian natural-dye heritage brand with similar artisan supply chain and retail model.
• Maku Textiles: Indian slow-fashion brand working with natural-dyed handwoven fabrics and traditional craftspeople. Comparable in product philosophy, natural dye focus and artisan-led supply chain.
• 11.11 / Eleven Eleven: Indian slow-fashion label using natural dyes (often indigo and plant-based) on handloom textiles. Direct competitor in the premium natural-dye apparel segment targeting conscious consumers.

Emerging players

• No Nasties: Indian 100% organic, fair-trade clothing brand. Comparable in sustainable Indian textile positioning but focuses on organic cotton rather than natural dyes; relevant competitive benchmark in the conscious-fashion segment.
• Upasana Design Studio: Indian sustainable fashion and craft social enterprise working with artisan communities. Comparable in mission-driven apparel production with rural Indian artisans, though broader in scope than AVANI's natural dye focus.
• Sasha: Indian sustainable womenswear brand producing in limited runs with natural and upcycled fabrics. Comparable in addressing premium sustainable Indian apparel consumers but with a different production model.

Regional players

• Industrias Pueblo: Mexican cooperative producing natural dyes and pigments from regional plants. Comparable in non-profit cooperative structure and natural dye business model, though operating in Latin America rather than South Asia.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/209775252389596
• Instagraminstagram.com/avani.earthcraft
• Xx.com/avanikumaon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/avanikumaon

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 AVANI