Each semester, the Skandalaris Center hosts the Skandalaris Venture Competition (SVC), which aims to nurture early-stage ideas, inventions, or startups at WashU, preparing teams for commercialization, launching, and pitching to investors. We chatted with SVC Catalyst Funding winner and founder of Nari (formerly Rasa Chai), Shradha Challa (MBA ’24), to learn about her experience with the competition and how her involvement with the Skandalaris Center has helped her grow her business.
Nari is bringing an authentic chai experience to the United States. Their goal is to serve high-quality, authentic chai made with traditional ingredients and methods, ensuring each cup offers a genuine taste of South Asian hospitality and warmth. They won Catalyst Funding during the fall 2024 Skandalaris Venture Competition cycle.
Read below to learn about Shradha’s experience with SVC.
Shradha, can you tell us about the impact the Skandalaris Venture Competition has had on your company?
SVC has been transformative for Nari. It provided not just funding but also visibility and validation for our mission. The competition helped us refine our business strategy, connect with mentors, and gain access to a supportive entrepreneurial community. As we navigate a brand change and the R&D phase for our sodas, the prize money came at a perfect time. SVC has been a crucial step in scaling Nari and building momentum for future growth.
What types of opportunities or relationships have the Skandalaris Center and SVC unlocked for you?
The Skandalaris Center and SVC have unlocked invaluable opportunities and relationships for Nari. The judges, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs have been a tremendous source of support and inspiration. The judges’ feedback and guidance have been instrumental in refining our approach, while the Skandalaris team has gone above and beyond, connecting me with the right people and making it easy to build meaningful connections throughout the journey.
How will winning Catalyst funding help propel Nari forward?
Winning Catalyst funding will accelerate Nari’s growth at a pivotal moment. It will support R&D for our masala sodas, scale production, and enhance our branding efforts as we undergo a significant brand change. The funds will also enable us to expand distribution, build partnerships, and launch targeted marketing campaigns to reach a broader audience. This funding provides both the resources and confidence to scale strategically and establish Nari as a leading South Asian beverage brand.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about applying for SVC?
Go for it! When I first started, I only had an idea and was initially rejected by SVC. However, I didn’t give up—I went back, worked hard to refine my concept, and eventually returned to win. The hard work was recognized by the judges, and it was incredibly rewarding.
One piece of advice I’d offer is to talk to your customers—not just friends and family, but the actual people whose problem you’re solving. Their feedback is invaluable and can help you shape your idea into something truly impactful.
What other Skandalaris resources have you benefited from as you’ve grown your business?
The Skandalaris Center has been a cornerstone of support for Nari’s growth. The design team is currently assisting with our rebranding, which has been invaluable as we redefine our identity. The entire team has been incredibly encouraging, always ready to provide guidance and help solve challenges I’ve faced.
The Innovation Fund allowed me to purchase essential machinery for production, and the Launchpad program connected me with a fantastic summer intern who played a key role in our early stages. Additionally, the Skandalaris team provided valuable feedback and resources to help me refine my pitch deck, making it more impactful and investor-ready. These resources have truly been game-changing for my business.
What’s next for Nari?
Nari is entering an exciting phase of growth and development. We’re currently focusing on finalizing the R&D for our masala sodas and preparing for a brand relaunch that will position us to connect with a broader audience. Alongside this, we’re working on scaling production, expanding our distribution network, and building partnerships with retailers to bring our products to more customers.
Our next steps also include refining our marketing strategies to enhance customer engagement and launching campaigns that highlight the cultural richness and authenticity of Nari’s products. These efforts are all aimed at establishing Nari as a leading brand in the South Asian beverage market.
The Skandalaris Venture Competition is open to all WashU students and recent alumni (within one year). Applications close Wednesday, January 29, at 5:00 pm central time. Learn more and apply here.