My Vision for Impact: Leveraging Ashoka’s Values in Entrepreneurship

Shubham Oswal, a Political Science undergraduate at Ashoka University, began his journey as a dorm-room entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Gudmom by 1 Organic, a venture focused on making organic products affordable, and Basillia Organics, a leading company in the organic foods supply chain industry. With an exclusive network of over 5,000 farmers, Basillia operates on a true farm-to-fork model alongside its retail arm, ‘1 Organic.’

Shubham is also deeply committed to creating large-scale impact through his initiatives in the water and agriculture sectors. His efforts to save and recharge millions of liters of water into groundwater aquifers were acknowledged by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, India’s Minister of Jal Shakti (Water Resources).

We spoke to Shubham about the driving force behind his entrepreneurial journey and how Ashoka University has nurtured his passion and spirit.

What sparked the start of your entrepreneurial journey, and what inspired you to pursue this path?
I started as a dorm-room Entrepreneur during my first year at Ashoka, out to establish a successful venture in Organic & Millet Foods, which is recognised nationally and internationally. I always had that fire in the belly to make an impact through the path less taken.

How do you feel Ashoka’s liberal arts education has helped cultivate your approach to entrepreneurship?
Without the liberal arts background, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this mindset. Liberal arts always give you a larger picture of life.

What were some key challenges you encountered in getting your venture off the ground, and what strategies helped you overcome them?
I came across thousands of problems, and there is only one way to overcome them: go through them, don’t quit, keep moving, and keep pivoting until you find the sweet spot.

What strategies do you use to balance the responsibilities of running a venture with your academic commitments?
It is difficult, but you ought to do what you ought to do. If you want to do it truly from deep within you, this will be one of the least of your concerns, trust me on this.

What advice would you offer to fellow students or alumni thinking about launching their own ventures?
Never quit. Keep moving, no matter what.

In what ways do you wish to positively impact society?
We are working with over 7,000 farmers, providing them with sustainable livelihoods and income. Our aim is to expand this to 100,000 in the coming years.

About Gudmom by 1 Organic:

Gudmom is dedicated to delivering certified organic farm food directly to your kitchen, transforming it into a “Kitchen Pharmacy.” The initiative focuses on promoting health and wellness through natural, wholesome ingredients, allowing individuals to harness the healing power of food. By prioritising organic produce, Gudmom aims to enhance everyday cooking while supporting a healthier lifestyle