Sharad Kumar Nirala
Begusarai
Summary
Experienced Co-Founder with a demonstrated history of working in the education,Food Processing and Agriculture industry. Skilled in Product Development,Research,Communication,Public Speaking, Management, Leadership, Acting, and Social Media. Strong media and communication professional with a Graduation from University of Delhi. I take pride in my ability to generate substantial revenue from starting from scratch, contributing approximately 70 lakhs to my ventures.I have raised around 60 Lakhs for from impact funding and raised at 6 cr valution from IIT-kanpur and Citi Bank.Have impacted around 6000 + people in rural remote area. Have been a start-up enthusiast since always. In college, I cofounded The igniters to inculcate and foster 21st century skills - Critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, emotional quotient etc in upcoming generation by using different arts form as a tool during my college days . Recently on a mission to Transform the food system by Developing rural supply chain while empowering small & marginal farmers,and manufacturers . To know more, visit www.indijanglobal.com I am a motivated individual who is willing to learn and contribute to the best of my abilities. Every experience so far made me understand the importance of being agile. Deeply believe in creating a nurturing environment where everybody can learn and grow.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Buddha Fellow
The Buddha Institute
02.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: Buddha Fellowship Program identifies and nurtures entrepreneurs who add value for the greater good toward a progressive, inclusive India and the world
- I'm one of the fellows at The Buddha Institute (Buddha Fellowship Program) cohort 23-25
- Selected for mentorship and returnable grant of 10 Lakhs
- I am among 15 from all over India and first one from Bihar
- Developed Designed, Pitched Co-impact project named MahilaBiz targeting 30L Lakhpati Didi to convert them in micro-entrepreneur keeping my development enterprises in center in front of the senior leadership of Jeevika the Bihar State Rural Livelihoods Mission including its CEO Himanshu, Rural Development Secretary Lokesh, and Shri Arvind Chaudhary, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, for Bihar (the first CEO of Jeevika)
- Buddha Fellowship Program identifies and nurtures entrepreneurs who add value for the greater good toward a progressive, inclusive India and the world
FOUNDER AND CEO
IndiJan Activated Agrifood Pvt. Ltd.
Delhi
07.2020 - Current
- Company Overview: On a mission to Transform Food system to Fight NCDs & Malnutrition
- Building Market Focused Small Food Processors from Bharat-Backed by HDFC, Pusa Krishi, IIT-BHU
- I lead an integrated, tech-enabled offline ecosystem that empowers: 1.Small & Marginal Farmers: Providing farmgate procurement & primary processing at the village level
- 2.Small Food Processors: Offering processing inputs and a robust distribution network (online + offline retail)
- 3.Consumers: Delivering natural, diversified, functional, and nutritious food products
- Worked with Small & Marginal Farmers, FPOs, SHGs, Rural Retailers, SMEs in food processing
- Collaborated with DIC, Ministry of Food Processing, KVK, Jeevika-SRLM, NABARD, Startup Bihar, and other key stakeholders
- Served as CEO, taking on diverse roles at different growth stages
- Built and led a team of 10 people, driving impact-driven innovation and growth
- Mobilized ₹60 lakh in impact funding (excluding equity investment)
- Raised over ₹1 crore for small food processors under the PMFME scheme, linking them to banks for financial support
- Raised ₹80 lakh in impact funding with support from HDFC, IIT-BHU, PUSA Krishi, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, IIT Kanpur-Citi Bank, UnLtd India, Buddha Fellowship, among others
- Secured first equity funding at 6 crore valuation from IIT Kanpur
- Built a farmgate procurement system onboarding 6,000+ farmers, 20+ small food processors, and 100+ rural retailers
- Developed and Launched around 12 products & services for our stakeholders
- Established brand from scratch and worked in different functional roles
- On a mission to Transform Food system to Fight NCDs & Malnutrition
- Building Market Focused Small Food Processors from Bharat-Backed by HDFC, Pusa Krishi, IIT-BHU
Mentor
DSEU-SIDBI Super 30
Delhi
07.2024 - 01.2025
- Selected as a mentor for the 'Swavalamban Skill to Enterprise' program, a collaborative initiative by Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
- This unique program will empower 30 talented individuals, each with a promising business idea and skill, through an intensive 6-month weekend course
Winner of HDFC Startup Parivartan Grant
Bihar Entrepreneurs Association (BEA)
03.2024 - 01.2025
- Won HDFC bank Startup Parivartan Grant felicitated by Bihar Entrepreneurs Association (BEA), We are among top 4 startups from Bihar
Startup Bihar Seed Fund
Startup Bihar
01.2024 - 12.2024
- Raised 10 Lakhs of Seed Fund from Startup Bihar, Department of Industries as an Agri-tech Startup after passing 3 rounds
- Rated as Bihar Top startups
Incubated at IIT-BHU for SEED Fund
RKVY-RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubator, IIT (BHU)
09.2023 - 09.2024
- We are among few first startups to upgrade from a pre-seed grant of 5 lakhs to a seed grant of 10 Lakhs under the RKVY-RAFTAAR program because of our growth and impact by IIT-BHU, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- We are one of six startups from all over India
LIC HFL- IRMA Social Trailblazer Program
IRMA ISEED FOUNDATION
09.2023 - 09.2024
- Company Overview: Supported by Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) and LIC Housing Finance Limited
- After pitching our hearts out to the Internal Investment Committee, IndiJan has made it into the prestigious COHORT-2 at IRMA iSEED, among the top 22 startups out of 37
- This incubation has provided funding & technical support to accelerate IndiJan's growth in the Indian social enterprise ecosystem
- Attended 3 boot camp at IRMA campus leaded by different people who are pioneers of their sector
- Supported by Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) and LIC Housing Finance Limited
Incubatee
Pusa Krishi
05.2022 - 05.2023
- Company Overview: ICAR-IARI under Ministry Of Agriculture & Farmers welfare
- Selected among top 43 Emerging Early revenue startups from all over the country in cohort 2022 which are selected for grant up to 5 lakhs, mentorship, product experimentations and Market access at Pusa Krishi-ICAR-IARI under RKVY-RAFTAAR powered by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare
- ICAR-IARI under Ministry Of Agriculture & Farmers welfare
Unltd India Fellow
UnLtd India
03.2022 - 03.2023
- Company Overview: Acts as a launchpad for passionate individuals whose ideas can translate into long-term solutions for India's socio-economic problems
- Proud to be selected in 2022 cohort and tribe of 20 changemakers from all over the country
- Also attended 3 months boot camp programme organized by Pad Up ventures, BootUp is designed to help entrepreneurs understand the nuances of entrepreneurship as well validate their business idea/proposition through a process that is customer-centric and based on lean startup principles
- Acts as a launchpad for passionate individuals whose ideas can translate into long-term solutions for India's socio-economic problems
Digital Performance Director
Campmzy
Noida
06.2019 - 11.2020
- Developed and executed a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, resulting in a 20% increase in online sales within the first quarter
- Managed a team of three digital marketing specialists, providing guidance and coaching to improve campaign performance
- Optimized SEO efforts, resulting in a 30% increase in organic search traffic and a 15% improvement in keyword rankings
- Increased email open rates by 25% through A/B testing and segmentation
- Designed & Developed Campaign
- Managed a digital marketing budget of 10,00000 and consistently met or exceeded ROI targets
Co-Founder and Executive Director
The Igniters
New Delhi Area
12.2016 - 10.2019
- To enrich the lives of students, educators, and lifelong learners by providing opportunities for engagement with the arts on stage, in the classroom, online, and in the community
- Established Creativity Adda with the help of MLA Pankaj Pushkar in Mukherjee Nagar Government Schools by convincing the School Management Committee, transforming an old building into a creative hub for children to explore diverse arts under expert mentorship, and mobilizing CSR funds for its sustainability and growth
- Established an organization with 1000 active members under my leadership
- Founded 30 clubs in various colleges, expanding our reach and impact
- Successfully raised approximately 5 lakhs through crowdfunding efforts
- Generated a substantial revenue of around 10 lakhs for the organization
- Spearheaded and facilitated approximately 300 workshops and sessions, contributing to the organization's growth and development
President
The third Act -Dramatics society, University of Delhi
New Delhi Area
10.2015 - 09.2016
- Leadership and Management: Led the The Third Act-Theatre Society as President, overseeing a team of 30 members
- Strategic Planning: Developed and executed strategic plans to enhance the society's impact, including organizing successful productions, workshops, and events
- Financial Management: Managed the society's budget, allocating resources efficiently and securing sponsorships to ensure financial stability
- Event Coordination: Orchestrated 4 successful theatre productions & 10 events, handling all aspects from casting to logistics and promotion
- Membership Engagement: Implemented initiatives to engage and retain members, resulting in membership growth or increased participation
- Community Outreach: Strengthened community ties by organizing outreach programs or initiatives that connected the society with specific community or organizations
- Skill Development: Organized workshops and training sessions for members to enhance their theater-related skills, contributing to their personal and professional growth
- Acted in Annual Production as lead actor Named B3 directed by Hadi Sharmadi
- Fundraising and Sponsorship: Successfully secured 1.5 Lakhs to support the society's activities
President at NSS, University of Delhi
National Service Scheme
New Delhi Area
09.2015 - 09.2016
- Elected as NSS President, leading 100 volunteers and successfully mobilizing 500 more
- Pioneered a shift from traditional initiatives to community engagement, focusing on understanding and addressing local needs
- Organized 36 impactful events, setting a record for the highest number of events in a year
- Achieved significant milestones, including securing funds from CSR for the first time in NSS history, enhancing the organization's outreach and impact
- Passionate about fostering social and civic responsibility, empowering volunteers to make meaningful contributions to society
- Selected by Ministry of youth affairs and sports to represent Delhi University among 6 people from Delhi University at National Youth Festival, Raipur for 6 days
President
Shashwat-Department of History Student Union, University of Delhi
New Delhi Area
08.2015 - 09.2016
- Elected as President in the Students' Union society Cabinet, Led the Department of History Student Union as President, pioneering the establishment of the society from the ground up
- Crafted a unique identity for the society, including designing the name and logo
- Organized and successfully executed several intra and inter-college events, showcasing the society's dynamism
- Spearheaded the organization and successful execution of a high-impact conclave
- Developed comprehensive proposals and successfully negotiated corporate collaborations to secure sponsorship
- Acted as a dedicated student representative, advocating for the interests of approximately 380 fellow students across various fronts
Joint Secretary
Joint Secretary NSS
New Delhi Area
09.2014 - 09.2015
- Leaded Conclave under my leadership with team of 5 people-Invited Satynder Jain, Shamistha Mukherji and Professor Anand Kumar
- Designed an event where nearby Government Schools Children were invited for Career counselling in college campus
- Organised a boot camp for college students on Human rights, Gender, Fundamental rights and duties
- Mobilised around 300 students for this camp
Secretary
The third Act -Dramatics society
New Delhi Area
09.2014 - 09.2015
- Acted in Play named Viplav ka mukadama, Manto and few street plays
- Event Coordination - Assisted President in planning and executing society events, workshops, and programs
- Membership & Engagement - Managing member registrations, participation tracking, and engagement activities
- Budget & Resource Planning - Collaborating with the Treasurer for fund allocation and resource management
Research Project Leader
Delhi University
Mizoram
04.2015 - 08.2015
- Led a team of 11 students in a research project sponsored by Delhi University under the Gyanodaya project
- Conducted an in-depth analysis of the relevance of 371G in Mizoram, addressing critical legal and societal implications
- Collaborated with fellow researchers, coordinated research efforts, and ensured project milestones were met
- Presented research findings at conferences and contributed to the academic discourse on the topic
Treasurer
Shashwat -Department of History, University of Delhi
New Delhi Area
08.2013 - 09.2014
- Elected as the Treasurer to represent for first year Junior members of History Department-Shashwat with 80% + majority of votes
- Efficiently managed funds and Designed one Event named Parivesh to Felicitate people from all departments who worked to improve college ecosystem with title Navratna, it brought whole college on one stage
Education
Bachelor's degree - Political Science, Economics and History Major
Delhi University
06.2016
Skills
- Pitching Ideas
- Pitch Development
- Mentoring
- Acting
- Public speaking
- Leadership
- Performance marketing
- Research
- Product development
- Community mobilization
- Campaign management
- Capital fundraising
- Partnership cultivation
- Innovation and vision
Certification
Finalist-Social Venture Idea Challenge
Timeline
Mentor
DSEU-SIDBI Super 30
07.2024 - 01.2025
Winner of HDFC Startup Parivartan Grant
Bihar Entrepreneurs Association (BEA)
03.2024 - 01.2025
Buddha Fellow
The Buddha Institute
02.2024 - Current
Startup Bihar Seed Fund
Startup Bihar
01.2024 - 12.2024
Incubated at IIT-BHU for SEED Fund
RKVY-RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubator, IIT (BHU)
09.2023 - 09.2024
LIC HFL- IRMA Social Trailblazer Program
IRMA ISEED FOUNDATION
09.2023 - 09.2024
Incubatee
Pusa Krishi
05.2022 - 05.2023
Unltd India Fellow
UnLtd India
03.2022 - 03.2023
FOUNDER AND CEO
IndiJan Activated Agrifood Pvt. Ltd.
07.2020 - Current
Digital Performance Director
Campmzy
06.2019 - 11.2020
Co-Founder and Executive Director
The Igniters
12.2016 - 10.2019
President
The third Act -Dramatics society, University of Delhi
10.2015 - 09.2016
President at NSS, University of Delhi
National Service Scheme
09.2015 - 09.2016
President
Shashwat-Department of History Student Union, University of Delhi
08.2015 - 09.2016
Research Project Leader
Delhi University
04.2015 - 08.2015
Joint Secretary
Joint Secretary NSS
09.2014 - 09.2015
Secretary
The third Act -Dramatics society
09.2014 - 09.2015
Treasurer
Shashwat -Department of History, University of Delhi
08.2013 - 09.2014
Bachelor's degree - Political Science, Economics and History Major
Delhi University