Nitin's educational background in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Bombay and Raghav's education from IIT Delhi provided the foundation for their technical expertise and problem-solving abilities.
In India, chai is a beverage that brings together people from diverse backgrounds. This aromatic and comforting tea holds a significant place in the country's cultural tapestry. However, surprisingly, there was a noticeable absence of well-known chai-focused chains in the market. It was this gap that inspired the idea that eventually led to the birth of Chaayos, created by two engineers turned chai entrepreneurs - Nitin Saluja and Raghav Verma.
The passion and foresight of these two tech-savvy individuals drove them to bridge this gap and revolutionize India's tea-drinking culture. Let's meet Nitin Saluja and Raghav Verma, the brilliant minds behind Chaayos, a flourishing multi-crore chai company.
The inception of Chaayos
The idea of Chaayos was first conceived by Nitin Saluja during his time in Houston, USA. In 2008, after a satisfying dinner, he and his wife desired a freshly brewed cup of robust tea, but were disappointed to find no suitable place nearby. This experience ignited the concept of establishing a tea café that would offer authentic and personalized chai in a cozy and welcoming environment. Two years later, Nitin shared this ambitious vision with his colleague and friend, Raghav Verma, while they were both working at the US consultancy firm Opera Solutions.
In 2012, driven by their love for tea and their determination to create something extraordinary, Nitin and Raghav decided to take a bold step. They left their well-paying jobs behind and embarked on their entrepreneurial journey. They named their venture "Chaayos," a fusion of "chai" (the Hindi word for tea) and "chaos" (symbolizing the experimental and innovative nature of their chai creations).
Meet the tech chaifreaks behind the idea!
Bound by their love for tea and a shared curiosity to venture into the unexplored realm of chai-focused cafes, these two tech-savvy entrepreneurs made a courageous decision to leave their lucrative jobs and dive into the world of entrepreneurship. Nitin's background in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Bombay and Raghav's education from IIT Delhi provided them with a solid foundation of technical expertise and problem-solving skills.
Nitin Saluja
Nitin Saluja, coming from a business family, pursued Mechanical Engineering at IIT Bombay. After working for more than 5 years as a Management Consultant at Opera Solutions in the USA, he fearlessly stepped into the world of entrepreneurship. Despite facing opposition from his father, who was concerned about the risks involved during the time of his child's birth, Nitin's passion for chai and his prior experience as a co-founder in a robotics education company (Think Labs) motivated him to start Chaayos. As the CEO, he takes the lead in product research and development, personally curating a significant portion of the chai menu himself.
Raghav Verma
His extraordinary journey began with a pursuit of Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Chemical Engineering from the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, graduating in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Despite this academic achievement, Raghav's heart was set on entrepreneurship and his fascination with leveraging technology across different fields prompted him to co-found PrepSquare. He also gained experience as a business analyst at Opera.
Raghav's accomplishments extended further, earning him a spot in the Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list.
Chaayos: Pioneering Tea Experiments
In November 2012, the dynamic duo introduced Chaayos, unveiling its inaugural store in Gurgaon. Their vision was to create a haven for tea enthusiasts, allowing them to explore a diverse range of flavors and customize their teas in over 12,000 unique combinations. With the catchy tagline "Experiments with Tea," Chaayos redefined the conventional chai experience.
At Chaayos, patrons are treated to an extensive menu featuring more than 25 delightful flavored teas, many thoughtfully crafted by Nitin Saluja himself. This vast selection resonated instantly with customers, propelling Chaayos to fame and establishing its stronghold in the fiercely competitive market.
With the business flourishing, Chaayos achieved a remarkable milestone when its highest-grossing outlet recorded an annual revenue of Rs 1 crore. This pivotal success marked a turning point in their entrepreneurial voyage.
Chaayos: A Sizzling Triumph
Chaayos embarked on its journey with the opening of its first store in DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon, Delhi. Their innovative approach to serving chai and the inviting ambiance of their cafes immediately resonated with customers, leading to swift expansion. Today, Chaayos boasts a network of over 200 outlets across major metro cities in India, delighting chai lovers with approximately 100,000 cups of chai served daily.
Their remarkable growth and entrepreneurial zeal attracted investments, including support from Tiger Global Management, a significant achievement for a non-tech company. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Chaayos exhibited resilience, achieving an impressive revenue of Rs 135 crore in FY22, marking a growth of 2.45 times from the previous financial year.
Saluja and Verma's creativity extended beyond beverages; they ventured into experimenting with food offerings that perfectly complement the Indian palate. With delectable items like thepla tacos, palak patta crispies, and mattar kulcha served in charming kullads (clay pots), Chaayos crafted a captivating fusion of traditional Indian snacks that harmoniously pair with their teas.
As Chaayos continues to push the boundaries in the chai industry, its inspiring success story stands as a testament to the force of passion, innovation, and entrepreneurship. By redefining India's tea culture, Nitin Saluja and Raghav Verma have firmly established Chaayos as a leading player in the food and beverage sector, delivering an unparalleled chai experience. So, the next time you crave a cup of freshly brewed tea, Chaayos might just be the ideal destination to satiate your chai desires and embark on a delightful journey of "Experiments with Tea."
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