Innovation thrives on perseverance, and Ajinkya Dhariya embodies this spirit. A former participant on Shark Tank India, Dhariya recently shared his challenging yet inspiring journey on social media, highlighting his relentless pursuit of change.
“2018: A tiny workspace. A committed team. And a crucial question—how do we tackle India’s overwhelming sanitary waste issue? There was no manual, just sheer determination and a series of failed experiments. Our breakthrough came only after the 47th attempt—a pioneering technology that could recycle used sanitary napkins into reusable materials, a first-of-its-kind innovation.”
Overcoming Doubt to Drive Impact
Despite skepticism and initial hurdles, Dhariya’s persistence led to success. Today, his startup, PadCare, operates in 1,500+ locations across 24 cities in India. The company has already recycled over 200 metric tons of sanitary pads, preventing 450 tonnes of CO2e emissions. More than just environmental impact, PadCare has improved waste management while ensuring safer, dignified jobs for waste workers.
Shark Tank Triumph
His visionary pitch on Shark Tank India 2 captivated investors, securing Rs 1 crore for 4% equity from Peyush Bansal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, and Anupam Mittal.
“We wanted to spark conversations on menstrual hygiene at every household level and work towards real solutions,” Dhariya shared. His journey proves that breakthroughs happen when courage meets persistence.
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