Shrenik Ghodawat - Managing Director - Sanjay Ghodawat Group
For decades, India’s economic growth remained largely concentrated around metropolitan cities, while smaller towns and rural regions continued to face gaps in connectivity, accessibility, and organised infrastructure. Today, however, rising aspirations, increasing digital adoption, and changing consumption patterns across tier II and tier III markets are reshaping the country’s business landscape.
From regional aviation and neighbourhood retail to affordable consumer products, the next phase of India’s growth is being driven by businesses that understand and serve “Real India”. Recognising this shift early, the Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG) has built a diversified presence across aviation, FMCG, retail, education, real estate, energy, and textiles with a strong focus on accessibility, affordability, and societal impact.
Founded in 1993 by Sanjay Ghodawat and now led by Shrenik Ghodawat, Managing Director of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group, the Group continues to expand by creating businesses that connect underserved and unserved markets, empower local communities, and deliver quality products and services to millions across India and global markets.
Established with the mission to make a positive impact on society by building businesses that enhance lives, the SGG has evolved into one of India’s diversified conglomerates, with interests spanning multiple sectors. From aviation and FMCG to education, retail, energy, real estate, and textiles, the organisation has steadily expanded its footprint while remaining deeply rooted in its founding values of Accountable Ownership, Integrity, Excellence, Agility and Universal Prosperity.
Headquartered in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, the Group today supports operations across India through strategically located offices and facilities. Its businesses collectively serve millions of consumers and have generated employment opportunities through a workforce of more than 11,000 employees.
Over the years, the Group’s growth has been driven by its ability to identify emerging opportunities across diverse industries while remaining agile and responsive in an ever-evolving business landscape. Rather than approaching diversification simply as expansion, the organisation has focused on creating businesses that solve real problems and improve accessibility across sectors. Whether through regional aviation
connectivity, affordable consumer products, neigh-bourhood retail, or educational infrastructure, the Group’s businesses are united by a common objective of creating meaningful value.
Resilience in adversity, a spirit of innovation, and a genuine commitment to improving lives have always defined the SGG.
The foundation of the SGG was laid by the Founder and Chairman- Sanjay Ghodawat, whose entrepreneurial mindset and hands-on leadership established the base for the organisation’s long-term growth and diversification. His vision was centred not only on building successful businesses but also on creating enterprises capable of positively impacting society.
Inspired by this journey and these values, Shrenik joined the family business. Over time, he took on leadership responsibilities and played a key role in driving expansion across several business verticals. Reflecting on his journey, he says,
"My own start involved immersing myself in operations, understanding market gaps, and driving innovation across our sectors.”- Shrenik Ghodawat
For Shrenik, entrepreneurship is closely linked with creating opportunities and setting new benchmarks across industries. His leadership journey has earned him recognitions such as Entrepreneur India’s “35 under 35”, Times of India’s “40 under 40”, ET Edge “40 under 40” and “Food and Grocery Retail Icon of 2022”. However, he continues to view entrepreneurship as a long-term responsibility rather than a destination. “For me, entrepreneurship is about setting new benchmarks, creating opportunities, and building a legacy of growth and innovation across every sector we touch,” he says.
Among the Group’s most defining ventures in recent years has been Star Air, launched in 2019 with a clear mission to “Connect Real India” by making air travel secure, swift, spacious, sincere and sustainable.
At a time when regional connectivity was becoming increasingly important for India’s economic development, the Group identified a major opportunity in underserved and unserved markets where air travel infrastructure and direct connectivity remained limited. Star Air was created to bridge this gap while contributing to greater mobility and economic integration across tier II and tier III cities. Today, the airline operates a fleet comprising Embraer E175S aircraft and has earned the trust of close to 3 million flyers across 32 destinations. Its growing network continues to improve accessibility for passengers travelling between emerging business centres and underserved regions.
The airline’s contribution toward regional connectivity has also earned significant industry recognition. Star Air was awarded the ‘Best Airline-Regional/UDAN Connectivity’ title at Wings India 2026 and has also been featured among the FT High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific.The airline’s expansion remains one of the Group’s key priorities moving forward. Star Air is rapidly increasing flight frequencies, adding new destinations such as Mundra, and scaling its fleet toward its long-term vision of operating 50 aircraft within the next five years.
The organisation believes regional connectivity will continue to play a critical role in India’s future economic growth and remains committed to strengthening its position within this evolving sector.
Alongside aviation, the Group has steadily strengthened its presence in the FMCG and retail sectors through Ghodawat Consumer Limited (GCL) and Ghodawat Retail Pvt Ltd (GRPL). These businesses have been developed around a strong focus on accessibility, affordability, and consumer trust while addressing the growing aspirations of both urban and regional markets.
GCL has emerged as a significant player in the FMCG segment through its portfolio of staples, snacks, and beverages under the Star Brand. The company further expanded its offerings through acquisitions such as Coolberg and TBH, strengthening its position across evolving consumer categories.
Today, the company’s products are available across more than 50,000 outlets in over 20 cities, while also reaching consumers through major e-commerce platforms and exports to over 25 countries. “Our portfolio is focused on delivering tangible value to our diverse clientele,” says Shrenik. GCL’s growth journey has also been recognised across the industry through honours such as the Best Procurement Transformation Award, Times Now Sustainable Organisations, India’s Rising Star, and Best Beverage Brand of the Year.
The Group’s retail division, GRPL, operates Star Localmart and has recently acquired DusMinute, reflecting a similar approach. Focused on transforming neighbourhood and rural retail experiences, the company is working towards bringing organised retail closer to local communities while also supporting entrepreneurship opportunities.
Following the acquisition of DusMinute in Bengaluru, GRPL now operates nearly 170 stores across approximately 50 towns in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Through its customer-centric neighbourhood formats, Star Localmart for semi-urban and rural areas, and DusMinute for urban gated communities, GRPL offers groceries, staples, and daily essentials. The company is committed to building accessible, convenient, and trusted retail ecosystems for communities beyond metro cities. GRPL’s expansion across neighbourhood and rural retail has also earned recognitions such as Regional Retailer, Golden Spoon Award and Most Admired Retailer of the Year.
Beyond aviation, FMCG, and retail, SGG has also built a significant presence across education, real estate, and energy. While each business vertical operates independently, they remain connected through the organisation’s purpose of enhancing lives and creating sustainable value.
The Group’s educational institutions today empower over 21,000 students annually and continue to contribute toward developing future talent and
creating opportunities for young individuals. Education remains an important part of the organisation’s long-term vision because of its ability to create lasting societal impact. Similarly, Ghodawat Realty continues to focus on delivering high-quality projects while addressing evolving market expectations within the real estate sector. The Group’s energy and infrastructure initiatives also reflect its long-term commitment toward responsible and sustainable growth.
What distinguishes the organisation’s multi-sector approach is its ability to balance diversification with adaptability. Rather than operating disconnected businesses, the Group focuses on building enterprises that collectively contribute toward long-term economic and community development. According to Shrenik, the Group’s strength lies in its ability to “blend innovation with deep-rooted values and a multi-sector approach”.
He further explains, “Few companies operate with the breadth that we do, aviation, FMCG, education, retail, and real estate, while keeping customer impact at the core.” This diversified presence has enabled the organisation to remain resilient while identifying opportunities across changing industries and market cycles.
Operating across multiple industries inevitably brings operational complexity and competitive challenges. From aviation regulations and supply chain management to market expansion and customer expectations, each business vertical presents unique demands. For the Group, navigating these challenges has required continuous innovation, adaptability, and a strong focus on execution. “Competing with established players in multiple sectors required us to be agile and innovative, constantly adapting our strategies to stand out,” says Shrenik.
Whether launching new products, entering new markets, or improving customer experiences, the organisation has consistently prioritised quality, operational efficiency, and long-term value creation. Managing large-scale operations across sectors also required the Group to strengthen internal processes, build strategic partnerships, and continuously invest in learning and development. At the same time, building and retaining the right talent became essential to sustaining growth across industries. The organisation focused heavily on nurturing a collaborative, inclusive, and growth-oriented culture where employees feel valued and empowered.
“We are committed to attracting and nurturing talent with a mix of professional opportunity, positive culture, and purpose. Our approach is to recruit for values as much as for skills,” explains Shrenik. The Group continues to invest significantly in leadership development, employee training, and innovation-driven work environments. It believes that empowering employees and encouraging ownership across teams are essential for long-term organisational success. “Every milestone is a testament to persistence, collaboration, and the power of purpose-driven leadership,” he says.
Shrenik Ghodawat
As industries continue to evolve rapidly through digitisation, technology adoption, and changing consumer behaviour, staying ahead of market trends has become increasingly important for diversified business groups.
For SGG, innovation and market awareness remain central to maintaining competitiveness across sectors. The organisation closely tracks consumer expectations, invests in technology and analytics, and encourages experimentation and new ideas across businesses. “I make it a priority to stay curious and proactive, whether that’s through market research, listening to customers, or collaborating with industry peers,” says Shrenik.
The Group also benefits from its diversified structure, which allows it to identify cross-sector trends and opportunities early. Insights from aviation, retail, FMCG, education, and real estate collectively help the organisation adapt more effectively to changing market dynamics.
At present, one of the organisation’s biggest priorities is driving transformative growth across its key verticals while remaining aligned with its larger mission of enhancing lives. “Right now, my top priority is to drive transformative growth across all our key verticals, aviation, consumer products, and retail, while staying true to our purpose of enhancing lives,” says Shrenik.
In FMCG, GCL is continuing its journey toward the ₹5,000 crore milestone through stronger distribution, innovation, and digital transformation initiatives. Simultaneously, GRPL is rapidly scaling its retail footprint, now with nearly 170 stores, while Star Air continues to expand connectivity across 32 underserved regions, serving over 8,70,000 passengers annually. GCL’s brands now reach consumers in more than 50,000 retail outlets across over 20 cities and 25+ countries.
“My mantra as a young entrepreneur is to start with a clear purpose and keep an open mind. I believe in learning from every aspect of the business, taking calculated risks, and surrounding myself with passionate people. Listening more than speaking, embracing setbacks as lessons, and prioritising integrity and long-term value over shortcuts are core to my approach. For me, true success is about building something that makes a real difference for customers, teams, and society. With the right intent and unwavering determination, the journey is as rewarding as the destination.”
SGG’s, success is measured not only through business scale or financial performance but also through the positive impact created across communities, industries, and individuals.“For me, real success is about building businesses that not only create value, but also empower people and make a lasting, positive impact on the communities we serve,” says Shrenik. This belief continues to influence the organisation’s long-term vision and decision-making across sectors. The Group remains focused on creating businesses that improve accessibility, strengthen local economies, and contribute toward inclusive growth.
Looking ahead, the organisation predicts that rapid technological change, sustainability, and empowered consumers will redefine industry standards. Businesses that adapt quickly and act responsibly will set themselves apart. “Industries will be driven by innovation, conscious choices, and the rising voice of the consumer,” says Shrenik.
In aviation, the Group sees regional connectivity continuing to drive economic growth. In FMCG and retail, the organisation believes accessibility, quality, and trust will remain critical for long-term success. Across sectors, the Group plans to continue investing in digital transformation, sustainable practices, and new business models capable of serving both urban and rural India.
“We believe in integrity, inclusiveness, and long-term thinking, whether in business strategy, talent development, or community initiatives. As we expand into new sectors and geographies, these fundamentals remain our compass,” says Shrenik. “Our goal is to be the benchmark for innovation and responsible growth across every sector we touch.”
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