Biography of Ravi Ramachandran: Founder and CEO of Nua- Entrepreneur
Biography of Ravi Ramachandran:
Early Education and Foundation
Ravi Ramachandran’s educational journey began at Abu Dhabi
Indian School, where he completed his high school education. Following this, he
attended St. Aloysius College in Mangalore, where he pursued his Pre-University
studies from 1997 to 1999. His academic prowess continued to shine as he
progressed to the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli,
where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering between 1999 and
2003. Graduating in the top 5% of his class with a CGPA of 8.92 out of 10, Ravi
was honored with the Dean's Best All-Rounder Award, marking the beginning of
his distinguished academic career.
Further Education at Oxford
Ravi’s quest for knowledge and excellence took him to the
prestigious Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, where he pursued
an MBA from 2008 to 2009. His time at Oxford was marked by academic distinction
as he was included on the Dean's List for Academic Excellence. This period was
crucial in shaping his strategic thinking and leadership skills, preparing him
for the diverse and challenging roles he would undertake in the future.
Initial Professional Experience
Ravi began his professional career at ITC Limited, where he
worked from June 2003 to August 2008. His role as Manager involved leading a
cross-divisional team to integrate a significant logistics network, showcasing
his ability to manage complex projects and drive organizational growth. This
experience laid a solid foundation for his future endeavors in business
strategy and management.
Early Consulting and Strategic Roles
After his tenure at ITC, Ravi joined Booz & Company as a
Principal from October 2009 to September 2015. In this role, he worked on
various high-impact projects across different sectors. In the Consumer &
FMCG sector, he developed a Go-To-Market strategy for a global beverages
company and advised a Middle East airline on creating a global loyalty
platform. His work in Energy & Industrials involved advising a major Indian
oil and gas company and leading global strategy development for a Fortune 50
company.
Exploring New Frontiers
In the summer of 2009, Ravi undertook a significant role as
a Summer Intern at Meltwater Group in the San Francisco Bay Area. During this
time, he developed a business plan for creating technology business incubators
in Ghana, London, and San Francisco, aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in
Western Africa. This experience honed his skills in evaluating business models
and venture funding.
Biography of Ravi Ramachandran: Founder and CEO of Nua- Entrepreneur/ Startup/Success story of Ravi Ramachandran/ menstrual hygiene/women's wellness/
Transition to Entrepreneurship
Ravi’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Contextual
Ltd in September 2015, where he worked until November 2016. Contextual was a
location-based customer engagement platform that utilized machine learning and
big data analytics. This venture aimed to integrate online business models into
the physical world, adding a contextual layer based on customer location data.
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Founding Nua
In December 2016, Ravi co-founded Nua, a venture that would
significantly impact women’s wellness. Nua’s mission was to provide a holistic
approach to women’s health with a focus on menstrual care. Under Ravi’s
leadership as CEO, Nua became known for its clean and uncomplicated wellness
solutions, including customizable sanitary pads and self-heating menstrual
cramp patches.
Impact and Growth of Nua
Nua, headquartered in Mumbai, India, quickly grew to become
one of the largest digital-first women’s wellness brands in the country. The
company’s approach included recurring doorstep deliveries of sanitary products
and a strong online community. Nua’s commitment to challenging taboos around
menstruation and its engagement with over 150,000 women have been pivotal to
its success.
Community Engagement and Initiatives
Nua’s impact extended beyond product offerings. In 2021, the
company launched the second phase of Project Prerna in partnership with Rotary
Club, PRIDE, and Magic Bus. This initiative provided menstrual hygiene product
kits to over 15,000 frontline women workers in Maharashtra and rural India,
demonstrating Nua’s commitment to social impact and community support.
Funding and Financial Milestones
In June 2021, Nua secured $7.1 million in its pre-series B
funding round, led by Lightbox Ventures and supported by other prominent
investors. This funding underscored the company’s potential and the confidence
investors had in its business model and vision. Overall, Nua has raised a total
of $12 million over time, reflecting its growth and market potential.
Leadership and Company Culture
Under Ravi’s leadership, Nua has fostered a unique workplace
culture characterized by an open environment, a lean team structure, and a
belief that no idea is a bad idea. This culture not only supports creativity
and innovation but also promotes a healthy work-life balance, making Nua a
dynamic and attractive place to work.
Nua’s Market Position
Nua operates in the personal products industry, with a
strong focus on women’s wellness. The company’s innovative products and
customer-centric approach have positioned it as a leader in this niche market.
Despite facing competition from brands like Pee Safe, Carmesi, and SUGAR, Nua
continues to differentiate itself through its comprehensive product offerings
and engaged community.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Nua is poised for continued growth and
impact. The company’s strategic focus on personalized solutions and community
engagement, combined with its strong financial backing, positions it well for
future success. Ravi Ramachandran’s leadership and vision will be instrumental
in driving Nua’s ongoing mission to transform women’s wellness and make a
meaningful difference in the lives of its customers.
Timeline for Ravi Ramachandran’s journey
1997-1999: Attends St. Aloysius College, Mangalore.
1999-2003: Earns Bachelor of Engineering in Civil
Engineering from NIT Tiruchirappalli.
2008-2009: Completes MBA at Saïd Business School, University
of Oxford.
June 2003-August 2008: Works as Manager at ITC Limited.
October 2009-September 2015: Serves as Principal at Booz
& Company.
Summer 2009: Interns at Meltwater Group, develops business
plan for tech incubators.
September 2015-November 2016: Co-founds Contextual Ltd.
December 2016: Co-founds Nua, focusing on women's wellness.
2021: Launches Phase 2 of Project Prerna, impacting
menstrual hygiene in rural India.
June 2021: Secures $7.1 million in pre-series B funding for
Nua.
2024: Nua continues to grow, focusing on personalized
solutions and community engagement.
