Bengaluru Couple Transforms Daily Challenges into a Healthy Food Startup

Turning Everyday Struggles into Business Opportunities

A couple from Bengaluru has successfully converted their daily challenges into a thriving business. Diya Krishnakumar and Adithya Natarajan, both working in the IT sector, often found it difficult to prepare meals at home due to their busy schedules. While ordering food was convenient, they craved healthy, affordable meals that resembled home-cooked dishes. Unable to find a meal subscription service that met their needs, they decided to create one themselves.

Launching Wellfed After Leaving IT Jobs

Diya and Adithya, who both studied computer science in Bengaluru, began their careers at the same IT company. After more than three years in the corporate world, they left their jobs in September 2024 to establish a healthy food subscription startup called Wellfed.

They initiated this venture with an investment of 1.5 million rupees, primarily sourced from their savings. Initially, their team comprised six members, including the founders, a nutritionist, a cook, a steward, and a delivery person.

Focus on Home-Cooked Meals

According to Adithya, the long working hours often made it challenging for them to cook. Diya noted that recipes found online, which claimed to take only 20 minutes, often took them twice as long to prepare at home.

They explored various meal subscription services but found most offered a mix of different cuisines and international dishes. They aimed to provide simple, nutritious Indian meals like lentils, vegetables, bread, and protein-rich options.

First 100 Customers Through Social Media

Initially, they sent meals to friends and family to gather feedback. A nutritionist in Bengaluru later shared a video about Wellfed on social media, which helped them acquire their first 100 customers. The company opted for reusable steel containers for food packaging instead of standard disposable boxes, sourcing them from a manufacturer in Maharashtra.

Revenue Growth in Just Nine Months

In its first year, Wellfed generated approximately 4.5 million rupees in revenue. By January to September 2026, the company's revenue surged to 5.6 million rupees, serving over 1,500 customers and delivering more than 55,000 meals.

However, they faced challenges, including an LPG shortage at the beginning of 2026, which impacted kitchen operations and slowed business temporarily.

Meal Plans Starting at 269 Rupees

Currently, the company offers three subscription plans. The three-day trial plan costs 289 rupees per meal, the two-week plan is priced at 279 rupees, and the monthly plan starts at 269 rupees. All plans include lunch and dinner, free delivery, and nutritionist consultations. Customers on longer plans can use their remaining meals later.

Plans for Expansion to Hyderabad

Diya and Adithya are now looking to expand their delivery range in Bengaluru. They plan to increase kitchen capacity and reach customers beyond the IT and startup sectors. The company also aims to introduce new dishes and protein-rich options, with future plans to launch operations in Hyderabad.