Haneesh Katnawer (Himalayan Hemp)
Haneesh Katnawer is the co-founder of Himalayan Hemp Industries, an India-based company that preserves indigenous hemp plants to create organic, reusable sanitary pads.
Overcoming obstacles to education
Growing up, Haneesh was raised in a secluded, low-caste village called Samaal with little access to opportunities like public transportation and education.
“I was introduced to the hardships of being born in that status due to discrimination from high-caste people,” says Haneesh. “However, with immense and unconditional support from my family, I was poised to excel in educating myself to survive.”
After years of hard work, Haneesh was accepted into Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya Engineering College to pursue a degree in production engineering.
Haneesh and Sonam
From corporate life to ending period poverty
Following graduation, Haneesh worked as a planning engineer and operations consultant for six years. Over time, he realized that the corporate sector wasn’t where he wanted to be, so he pursued a new career as a freelance writer—eventually expanding his freelancing business by hiring women to write from home. The experience of working with women who wouldn't otherwise have employment opportunities is one of the driving forces that inspired Haneesh to launch a social impact business with his co-founder, Sonam Ratubha Sodha.
The current sanitary pad design
The idea to create a reusable sanitary pad came from Sonam, who is passionate about preserving nature. Over the course of three years, along with several researchers, tailors and the National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, Haneesh and Sonam finalized the current prototype.
Today, Himalayan Hemp Industries works with farmers across India to grow indigenous hemp plants, which are brought to artisans in marginalized communities who stitch them into sanitary pads.
Women in the community sift through the hemp
In five years, Haneesh hopes that the business will have been an instrument in removing local stigma around hemp farming. He also wants to sell his sanitary pads in the United States, allowing them to hire more local artisans and farmers, and reduce waste from single-use period products.
Haneesh is currently taking part in the Fall 2022 Cohort of the Because Accelerator, where he says “I’m excited about the immense support and depth that I receive from every member of the Accelerator. The Because Accelerator is simply the best incubator that I have come across so far!”
The Because Accelerator is a completely free online training and mentorship program for entrepreneurs who have product-focused ideas and businesses in areas impacted by poverty.