Biography of Anish Malpani: Founder and CEO of Without™ (by Ashaya)- Entrepreneur
Anish Malpani’s Journey to Entrepreneurship
Anish Malpani’s story is one of ambition, resilience, and a
deep desire to make a meaningful impact. Born in India, Anish moved with his
family to Dubai at the age of nine. While growing up, he dreamed of returning
to India one day to contribute to the country’s development. After completing
his schooling in Dubai, he pursued a sports management course at Texas
University in the United States, before eventually moving to New York in 2016.
There, he worked as a director at a company, earning a comfortable salary.
However, despite his successful career, Anish felt unfulfilled by the
monotonous nature of his 9-to-5 job.
The American Dream Doesn’t Fulfill His Purpose
While living in New York, Anish couldn’t shake the thought
of returning to India. The country was experiencing rapid growth, with
entrepreneurial ventures emerging from every corner—from the slums to the
boardrooms. The idea of contributing to this growing ecosystem inspired him to
leave his stable job behind. In 2019, Anish moved back to India with the
ambition to create something that could solve a real problem. His eyes were set
on addressing the critical issues of waste management and the dire poverty faced
by ragpickers, who form a significant portion of India’s population.
Identifying the Waste Management Crisis
On arriving in India, Anish was struck by the country’s
severe waste management problem. He learned that approximately 40 million
people in India depend on collecting and recycling waste to make a living. Yet,
a staggering 50-80% of waste in India is not treated or recycled. The condition
of these ragpickers deeply troubled him, and Anish realized there was an
opportunity to help improve their livelihoods while tackling the environmental
crisis.
The Problem with Multi-Layered Plastics (MLP)
Anish’s research into waste management led him to a major
environmental challenge: multi-layered plastics (MLP), which are commonly found
in chip packets. These materials are notoriously difficult to recycle because
of the multiple layers of plastic. Despite the growing awareness about plastic
pollution, MLP remained a major hurdle in the recycling process. Anish decided
to focus on finding a solution to this problem, as he saw it as a significant
barrier to India’s waste management efforts.
A Revolutionary Discovery in Recycling Technology
Determined to tackle the MLP issue head-on, Anish began
researching in 2021. He established a lab in Pune to experiment with different
ways of separating and recycling the layers of MLP. After months of trial and
error, Anish invented a groundbreaking technology that allowed him to separate
the layers of MLP and extract the valuable materials within them. This
innovation gave rise to the first-ever process that could recycle chip packets
in a meaningful way.
Building a Sustainable Business Around Waste
Anish’s innovation was not just about recycling for the sake
of it, but about creating high-quality products from the waste material. His
company, Without™ (by Ashaya), was born with a mission to increase the value of
waste and create sustainable solutions for poverty. With the help of his new
technology, he began manufacturing products from recycled chip packets. The
first product he developed was a pair of high-quality sunglasses, made entirely
from the multi-layered plastic waste he had managed to recycle.
Biography of Anish Malpani: Founder and CEO of Without™ (by Ashaya)- Entrepreneur/age/net worth/startup/sunglasses from recycled MLP/Without story
The Shark Tank India Pitch
Anish’s innovative idea caught the attention of Shark Tank
India Season 3. He pitched his startup, Without™, to the judges, explaining how
his technology could solve both the waste problem and improve the lives of the
ragpickers by increasing their income. His pitch was so impressive that it
earned him an investment offer. Ronnie Screwvala, the co-founder of Upgrade,
and Peyush Bansal, the co-founder of Lenskart, offered him ₹75 lakh for a 3%
equity stake in his company.
A Life-Changing Investment
The deal with the Sharks was a game-changer for Anish and
his startup. The ₹75 lakh investment gave Without™ the financial boost it
needed to expand operations and scale up production. Anish’s technology had
already proven itself capable of transforming waste into valuable products, and
with the investment, the company was poised for growth. This deal not only
validated his hard work and innovation but also helped him realize that he was
on the right path to making a real difference.
A Global Perspective on Waste Management
Anish’s journey wasn’t just about making a profit—it was
about creating a lasting impact. Having worked with nonprofits and social
entrepreneurs in countries like Guatemala and Kenya, Anish understood the
importance of social enterprises in solving complex problems. His global
experience shaped his approach to Without™, as he sought to build a business
model that was both sustainable and scalable. His vision was clear: to create a
solution that didn’t rely on aid or donations but instead empowered local communities
and entrepreneurs.
From Idea to Execution
In 2021, Anish’s perseverance and vision started to pay off.
The beta program for the sunglasses produced by Without™ launched, with the
goal of selling 500 units in three months. However, to everyone’s surprise, the
company sold 500 sunglasses in just six days. By the end of the program, they
had sold over 1,000 units, far surpassing their expectations. The overwhelming
response from customers gave the team the confidence to improve the product and
prepare for a larger launch.
Innovating for the Future
Anish and his team at Without™ continued to refine their
process, using feedback from customers to improve their products. They
recognized that there was still much to be done in terms of scaling their
operations and expanding their product line. The team was focused on increasing
production capacity and exploring new ways to use their technology to create
other high-quality products from waste. The potential for innovation seemed
limitless, and Anish was determined to lead the charge in transforming the waste
management and recycling industry.
Empowering the Poor and the Environment
The core mission of Without™ was to improve the lives of
India’s ragpickers while solving the environmental crisis caused by plastic
waste. By creating a business that added value to waste and shared the benefits
with those at the bottom of the supply chain, Anish hoped to make a lasting
impact. Through innovation, social entrepreneurship, and a commitment to
sustainability, he envisioned a future where waste was no longer a problem, but
a resource that could empower communities.
A Vision for a Better Future
Anish Malpani’s journey is a testament to the power of
entrepreneurship to drive change. From leaving a comfortable life in New York
to pursue his dream in India, Anish’s story highlights the importance of
resilience, creativity, and purpose. Without™ is just the beginning of his
mission to reimagine waste and poverty in India, starting with something as
simple as chip packets. Through his innovation and dedication, Anish is proving
that even the most challenging problems can be solved with the right mindset
and the willingness to take risks.
Timeline for story
Early 2000s - Anish Malpani moves to Dubai at age 9 and
later completes sports management course in the U.S.
2016 - Moves to New York, works as director at a company.
2019 - Returns to India with ambition to tackle waste
management and ragpicker poverty.
2021 - Begins researching waste management, discovers
solution to multi-layered plastics (MLP).
2021 - Establishes lab in Pune to develop MLP recycling
technology.
2021 - Launches Without™ (by Ashaya), produces first product
(sunglasses) from recycled MLP.
2024 - Pitches Without™ on Shark Tank India, secures ₹75
lakh investment for 3% equity.
2021 (Post-Pitch) - Beta program for sunglasses exceeds
sales expectations (1,000 units).
2024 - Focuses on scaling, expanding product line, and
empowering ragpickers through innovative recycling.
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