Medical / Pharma · Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Saathi
Maker of fully biodegradable, compostable banana-fibre sanitary pads.
Founded by Kristin Kagetsu, Grace Kane
Snapshot
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Industry
- Medical / Pharma
- Business model
- Impact / Manufacturing
- Funding stage
- Seed
- Employees
- 11-50
- Markets
- India
- Last updated
- 24 June 2026
About Saathi
Saathi manufactures fully biodegradable sanitary pads from banana and bamboo fibre at its facility in Ahmedabad. The company began as an MIT student project and was founded in 2015 by Kristin Kagetsu, Grace Kane, Tarun Bothra and Amrita Saigal, with a patented process that turns agricultural waste into absorbent hygiene products. The pads degrade within about six months and give banana farmers extra income for crop byproduct they would otherwise discard. Saathi has reached over 250,000 women across India and employs underprivileged women at its plant.
Founders
Kristin Kagetsu
Woman FounderCo-founder & CEO
Kristin Kagetsu is an MIT mechanical engineering graduate who moved to India to build Saathi's banana-fibre pad technology, turning a student project into a manufacturing company.
Grace Kane
Woman FounderCo-founder
Grace Kane co-founded Saathi out of MIT, where the team developed the biodegradable pad process the company patented.
Co-founders: Amrita Saigal — Co-founder & CFO; Tarun Bothra — Co-founder & CTO.
Industry classification
Medical / Pharma Menstrual Hygiene
Ideal customers
Typical customer segments for a medical / pharma company.
Media coverage
Website, social
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Saathi do?
- Saathi manufactures fully biodegradable sanitary pads from banana and bamboo fibre at its facility in Ahmedabad. The company began as an MIT student project and was founded in 2015 by Kristin Kagetsu, Grace Kane, Tarun Bothra and Amrita Saigal, with a patented process that turns agricultural waste into absorbent hygiene products. The pads degrade within about six months and give banana farmers extra income for crop byproduct they would otherwise discard. Saathi has reached over 250,000 women across India and employs underprivileged women at its plant.
- Who founded Saathi?
- Saathi was founded by Kristin Kagetsu and Grace Kane.
- Where is Saathi headquartered?
- Saathi is headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
- Is Saathi funded?
- Yes — Saathi is venture-funded and has reached the Seed stage.
- When was Saathi founded?
- Saathi was founded in 2015.