Summary Points:
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Rafter was founded in 2022 after Basavaraj S faced a failed startup and financial loss.
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The company offers sustainable corporate gifting products made from bamboo, jute, cork, and coconut shells.
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Monthly revenues range from Rs 15–20 lakh; annual turnover crossed Rs 1 crore.
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Products are handcrafted by rural artisans and women SHGs.
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Rafter plans to expand to international markets and reach Rs 5 crore in revenue
In 2022, with a loan of Rs 1,000 and a failed business behind him, Basavaraj S could have walked away. Instead, he built Rafter — a sustainable corporate gifting brand that is quietly redefining how Indian companies gift.
Rafter, based in Karnataka, crafts eco-friendly products such as rice husk mugs, bamboo bottles, jute folders, and coconut shell candles. It now supplies more than 400 companies, including Axis Bank and Canara Bank, and generates monthly revenues of Rs 15–20 lakh.
The idea took root after a costly mistake. Basavaraj imported water bottles for an eco-friendly startup idea, only to realize the materials weren’t truly sustainable. With the inventory wasted, he pivoted — deciding to design his own products using local, biodegradable materials.
“I didn’t want to stop,” Basavaraj said. “That failure taught me where not to go—and what not to repeat.”
Building a Brand With Purpose
The company’s product line is designed for corporate clients seeking low-impact, high-value gifts. But Rafter’s offerings go beyond aesthetics — many are handmade by rural artisans and women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), giving the brand both environmental and social depth.
Each item is customized with company branding and messaging, but produced with a strict no-plastic policy. The packaging is minimal, and almost all materials are biodegradable.
“What you give reflects who you are,” Basavaraj said. “Corporate gifts shouldn’t harm the planet.”
Growing Sustainably
Rafter’s growth has been largely organic. Basavaraj started by cold-calling HR heads on LinkedIn. Now, the company has eight full-time employees, and is working toward expanding its B2C presence.
With a customer retention rate of nearly 90%, Rafter is preparing for its next phase: scaling operations, expanding its product line, and exploring international markets. The founder has set an ambitious target — Rs 5 crore in annual revenue within two years.
Still, Basavaraj insists that growth will not come at the cost of values.
“We’re not just building a business,” he said. “We’re building a more responsible way of doing business.”
