Suniel Shetty, known for his grounded demeanor, may not be as prolific in films these days. However, he has found a prominent place on television screens. As an esteemed judge on the dance reality show “Dance Deewane 4”, he shares the limelight with the iconic Madhuri Dixit, affectionately known as the ‘Dhak Dhak’ girl.
It’s worth noting that Shetty is not only a talented actor but also a savvy businessman. He’s made strategic investments in several promising ventures. Recently, he shared insights on two startups he’s backing through a LinkedIn post. According to him, both ventures are thriving and align with his values of affordability and environmental sustainability.
He also commended the young entrepreneurs behind Aquatein and Regrip. He wrote, “They’re solving problems with both affordability as well as the environment in one mission. Both young, wild, and free. I say young, wild, and free after careful thought. When I think back to when I first became involved with both of these startups, there was one thing they had in common: they both saw problems they wanted to solve in a unique way.
Regarding the startup Aquatein, Shetty highlighted its mission to address protein deficiency in Indians through an innovative approach. He elaborated on the importance of protein intake, stating that the human body requires 1 gram of protein for every kilogram of body weight. Consequently, an average Indian should ideally consume around 75-80 grams of protein daily.
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He went on to detail the protein content available in common foods. For instance, he noted that a single whole egg provides roughly 6 grams of protein, while 50 grams of sprouts offer about 5 grams. Additionally, he mentioned that 150 grams of paneer yields approximately 25 grams of protein, and a single scoop of protein powder contains around 25 grams as well.
“This is why many individuals struggle to meet their recommended intake. It boils down to the delivery method. For many, supplements lose their appeal over time and become less palatable, making it challenging to consistently meet their protein needs,” he expressed.
Shetty highlighted that the founders of Aquatein, Ananth B Prabhala and Mitisha A Mehta, have crafted a unique protein solution: 21 grams of protein conveniently packed into a 500ml water bottle.
“It’s low in calories, with zero carbs, zero sugar, lactose-free, and gluten-free. It ticks most boxes,” he remarked.
“It fills me with pride to see a product born in India, finding shelf space across the Middle East and European markets, with a rapidly growing domestic and international footprint,” Shetty said in the post.
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Transitioning to the next startup he’s invested in, Suniel Shetty explained that this company focuses on ‘Re-engineered Tyres’.
“Out of the 1.5 billion tyres discarded each year, only 20% undergo recycling. The majority are simply discarded, often ending up in landfills, which have devastating consequences for our environment,” he highlighted.
Shetty highlighted that Tushar and his team at Regrip are spearheading the adoption of circular economy principles within the tire industry in India.
“Utilizing technology, they breathe new life into tires, prolonging their usability and diminishing the necessity for new tire manufacturing, thereby lessening the environmental impact. In cases where tires are beyond repair, they repurpose them into raw materials, effectively eliminating their presence in the environment and mitigating pollution,” he explained.
Suniel Shetty wrapped up the post by noting that both these young companies are still in their early stages, with much to achieve and numerous lessons to learn. Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of occasionally pausing to reflect on the journey and acknowledge the progress made thus far.
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