From Cancer Research Labs to the Fields of Rural India

It’s not every day that a junior scientist working in a cancer research institute trades the sterile, high-tech labs of Mumbai for the raw, hands-on world of animal husbandry. But that’s exactly what Saloni Godbole Tewari, a Master’s in Microbiology and a former researcher at ACTREC (Tata Cancer Research Institute), chose to do in 2018. Today, her bold leap is rewriting the future of animal husbandry in India with nutraceuticals.

Born into a business-oriented family, Saloni always had entrepreneurship in her blood. But it wasn’t until she encountered a troubling connection between food adulteration and cancer during her time in scientific research that the pieces of her professional puzzle began to click. "Working as a scientist, I realised that while the government supports research financially, most of it remains confined to academia," Saloni explains. "There was a clear lack of science-backed solutions for real-world problems. That’s when I knew I had to build something of my own."

The Spark: Where Science Meets Sustainability

The idea for Occamy Biosciences was born from a disturbing trend Saloni noticed during her research: the widespread adulteration of milk and animal-based food products. She dug deeper and discovered that the issue wasn’t in the milk itself, but in the methods used to preserve it, which often involved harmful chemicals and a lack of awareness in animal rearing methods. This led her to explore the entire dairy/livestock value chain. She started the Occamy journey with Dr. Milind Niphadkar, a Cancer Biologist and an expert, who is also the chief product scientist and co-founder.

"Everything boiled down to what an animal eats and how it eats. Most livestock in India suffer from protein, probiotic deficiencies and poor nutritional intake, which affects their productivity and overall health. Farmers spend 70% of their income on animal nutrition yet need to use excess medication, antibiotics, or even adulterants just to stay afloat. If their nutrition was right - why are animals falling sick frequently?".

That was the turning point. Saloni and Dr. Milind set out to solve this systemic issue not by creating just another supplement, but by building a science-backed, affordable, and highly effective range of animal nutraceuticals designed to improve livestock health from the inside out. Four years were invested into developing and validating the product across the country as animal behavior and feeding patterns vary every 50km.

Building Occamy Biosciences: Science with a Soul

Occamy Biosciences develops species-specific nutraceuticals, unlike existing products where one product works for all animals in general. These products bridge the gap between nutrition and medicine for livestock. They’re not your average feed supplements or just mineral vitamins. They are a blend of protein, probiotics, seaweed, organic toxin binders, and micronutrients, along with calcium and essential mineral vitamins that are clinically validated, scientifically formulated, tested and tailored to deliver visible results within just 15 days. It's not just about the milk yield or weight gain, but also enhanced immunity and better performance of organs that can be checked via blood tests.

“Our products fulfill nutritional gaps and offer preventive and therapeutic benefits. They stand out because they’re not only effective and high-quality but also affordable enough for small and marginal farmers,” Saloni notes. The market has taken notice. Occamy’s products are now used by thousands of farmers who have seen a 2X return on investments. Customers have provided testimonials about cows recovering from severe infections and producing more milk, goats and pigs with healthy weight gains and enhanced taste, as well as bulls producing high-quality semen for breed protection—all without harmful additives or antibiotics.

Overcoming the Hurdles: A Woman in a Man’s World

Success did not come easily. As a woman leading a startup in the traditionally male-dominated world of animal husbandry, Saloni faced several challenges. “One of the biggest struggles was being taken seriously in this unorganized sector and establishing a market for innovative products in the change-resistant customer base. Add to that the difficulty of managing cash flow in a fast-paced startup while working with government entities/heavily credit-linked existing markets that move at a very slow pace, it was a steep learning curve,” she admits.

But grit and resilience won out. Today, Occamy is the only startup listed on the NCDFI (National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India) portal, a platform affiliated with the NDDB (National Dairy Development Board). This recognition is a major validation of the company’s credibility and impact.

Milestones That Matter and Global Recognition

Among Occamy’s most meaningful breakthroughs was a customer’s report that one of their animals had recovered from a critical condition thanks to the company’s product, and the farmer didn't have to sell it. But for Saloni, recognition reached even greater heights when she was invited to meet the Honorable President of Paraguay and his delegation. “That was a surreal moment. It wasn’t just about me anymore, it was about showcasing India’s capacity to innovate in biosciences and agriculture,” she recalls. This international recognition highlighted the growing relevance of Occamy Biosciences on the global stage, particularly for nations where livestock is a major contributor to GDP.

Looking Ahead: Growth, Profitability, and Purpose

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For those starting their own entrepreneurial journeys, Saloni offers several hard-earned insights:

• Combine expertise with purpose: Her success was driven by scientific training and a clear focus on solving real problems in underserved sectors.
• Leverage public support wisely: “Many people overlook government funding and schemes. If you’re innovating, there’s support out there. Learn to navigate it strategically.”
• Stay resilient: Whether dealing with systemic barriers, funding gaps, or societal biases, persistence is everything. “You have to keep pushing. The outcome you’re working toward is worth every challenge,” she says.

A Founder to Follow

Stay Connected

Want to learn more about Occamy Biosciences or connect with Saloni?

• 🌐Website:www.occamy.co.in
• 💼LinkedIn: Saloni Godbole Tewari

Call to Action:

If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, especially one from a scientific background, take inspiration from Saloni’s story. Identify a real problem, trust your expertise, and build something meaningful. Follow her journey, explore Occamy’s work, and be part of the change that combines science, sustainability, and impact.