Suhasini Sampath, Co-founder and CEO of Yoga Bar

“Be kind to yourself, stay focussed, and be fearless.”

Suhasini Sampath is the Co-founder and CEO of Yoga Bar, India’s leading health food and clean-label brand, and is on a mission to feed India healthily. The inception of Yoga Bar can be traced back to when Suhasini and her sister Anindita resided in New York and were in constant search of ‘healthy’ protein bars. 

A year before their official launch, Suhasini made a significant discovery: nearly 40% of the Indian population skipped breakfast. This revelation became the catalyst for her and her sister Anindita to embark on a mission. In 2015, they founded Yoga Bar with a vision to nourish India with healthy options and encourage guilt-free snacking. Speaking with Forbes in an interview, Suhasini shared, “We wanted to make a 100% clean-ingredient-based product, sourcing raw materials from India, which can be consumed by a majority of Indians looking for healthy food.”

Today, the Bangalore-based company, which started with just all-natural snack bars has evolved into a disruptor in diverse categories such as muesli, peanut butter, oats, infant food, and Ayurvedic juices. Despite this expansion, Yoga Bar’s ethos remains intact—dedication to utilising 100% clean and natural ingredients, with a steadfast commitment to avoiding artificial colours or preservatives.

Yoga Bar’s commitment to authentic labels has resulted in a commendable retention rate, with Suhasini noting, “Whatever products we launch, our existing customers are willing to try out our entire portfolio.” Recognising the brand’s potential, India Tobacco Company Limited (ITC) made a significant investment of ₹175 crores to acquire a 39% stake in Yoga Bar. 

In addition to her role as an entrepreneur, Suhasini extends her influence as an angel investor, strategically investing in notable sectors such as health tech, science, and engineering. Recognising her significant contributions to the entrepreneurial landscape, Suhasini was honoured with the prestigious ‘Woman Entrepreneur Award 2023’ by the Institution’s Innovation Council.

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