The three founders of Rawmart - Saurabh Rana, Shrenik Bora, and Tejas Changede (Express Photo)
Big numbers paint an ambitious portrait of the future of the Indian economy. The country is estimated to become a $10 trillion economy, possibly even a $30 trillion economy in 20-25 years. At the offices of a Pune-based company, Rawmart, the three founders, Saurabh Rana, Shrenik Bora, and Tejas Changede, are aware of these national targets and the vital role they are playing in building its foundation.
Started in 2021, Rawmart is solving one of the country’s less-visible problems – the struggles of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). “Some small or medium entrepreneurs have ideas but no platforms. Some have the infrastructure, but they don’t have orders. Some SMEs have orders, but they don’t have capital,” says Rana. “You take any sector, auto, medical or pharmaceutical, and you will see that the big companies are doing well, but their vendors still have the same turnover for the last 10-20 years. We wanted to empower SMEs to work to their full potential because we know that the next phase of growth should happen in this sector,” he adds.
SMEs, such as vendors and suppliers of parts, form the core of the Indian industry but rarely receive the limelight. The lack of attention means that many cannot overcome even the basic challenges required for growth.
“Manufacturing in India is lacking innovation, which needs immediate action and upgrading of skills, according to today’s requirements. India is in the fifth place on the chart of manufacturing exports, contributing only two per cent, while China contributes 35 per cent and the USA 16 per cent. Rising even one step will require two to three times growth, and this should all happen sustainably,” says Bora.
Rawmart started by supplying steel as raw material to factories and went on to provide credit, technology, and production support to SMEs. “We analyse the existing manufacturing processes of SMEs. We identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement while working on standardised processes and workflow optimisations,” says Rana.
Customised products, Rawmart’s latest addition
Today, Rawmart has become a one-stop shop for SMEs. One can get machine parts, castings, supply chain finance solutions, and technical expertise and guidance for design improvements, among others. A new addition is customised products, such as light pallets to carry products made by a pharma company. For a fast food company, the company made a product for storing potatoes that would be used in the chips factory.
“Innovation, quality, and sustainability are not just buzzwords — they’re the barriers keeping Indian manufacturing from being truly export-ready. The world no longer rewards low-cost manufacturing; it rewards smart, clean, and consistent manufacturing. Innovation drives progress, quality builds trust, and sustainability ensures survival. Until we compete on design, precision, and responsibility, cost advantage alone won’t take us global,” says Changede.
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Rawmart, today, works with more than 200 SMEs and has developed more than 40 manufacturing processes and manufactured more than one lakh parts. More than 300 projects have been served. “Pune is a manufacturing hub. We have good manufacturing setups in and around Pune. We want to expand into Tier 2 cities, where we can find good manufacturing setups to partner with. We want to scale with people who have the mindset for growth and are looking to grow in this manufacturing boom and doing this sustainably,” says Rana.
Rawmart is turning its attention to sustainability, aiming to repeat its success with organisations that are involved in agriculture or agriculture-related enterprises. “We are soon starting Rawmart Renewables: our biofuel and biomass division. We want to help industries reduce carbon emissions and use clean energy or clean fuel. We will be supporting the end-to-end manufacturing cycle, making SME more empowered, helping them grow their revenues – and doing this using green energy,” says Rana.
Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life.
Professional Background
Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint.
Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series).
Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season:
1. Climate & Environment
"Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week.
"How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
"Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner.
2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage
"Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle.
"Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport.
"The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle.
3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc"
"Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema.
"Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups.
"How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor.
Signature Style
Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune.
X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More
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