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From Village Boy to Business Tycoon: The Rags-to-Riches Story of P.C. Mustafa, Founder of iD Fresh Food The Beginning Born in a remote village in Wayanad, Kerala, Mustafa's early life was marked by financial hardship. His father was a daily wage worker, and the family lived on the edge of poverty. Mustafa struggled academically and almost dropped out of school. However, the intervention of a kind-hearted teacher, who recognized his potential, changed the course of his life. Mustafa buckled down, completed his schooling, and went on to pursue engineering at the National Institute of Technology in Calicut. The Birth of a Simple Yet Revolutionary Idea After completing his education, Mustafa landed a high-paying job in the Middle East, but he soon realized that his true calling lay elsewhere. The seeds of iD Fresh Food were sown when Mustafa noticed the struggles of urban families to find time for traditional cooking. With busy lifestyles and nuclear families, preparing staples like idli and dosa batter had become a chore. Mustafa saw an opportunity in providing fresh, ready-to-cook batter to these households. In 2005, with a modest investment of ₹25,000, he co-founded iD Fresh Food along with his cousins. The initial operations were small-scale, with the batter being made in a tiny kitchen and delivered door-to-door on a scooter. The Early Days The early days were anything but easy. Scaling the business required innovation and an unyielding commitment to quality. Mustafa and his team focused on maintaining the authenticity of the product while ensuring convenience for the customer. The breakthrough came when they introduced their signature innovation: the unique packaging that kept the batter fresh without preservatives. This move set iD Fresh Food apart from its competitors and won the trust of customers. Scaling New Heights The company expanded its footprint to international markets, including the UAE and the US. What started as a small kitchen venture had grown into a full-fledged food company with state-of-the-art production facilities and a strong presence in the ready-to-cook segment. Mustafa's vision was not just about business growth but also about creating a brand that people could trust. He emphasized ethical practices, ensuring that the ingredients were sourced responsibly and that the products remained free from preservatives and artificial additives. The business grew steadily, expanding beyond idli and dosa batter to other traditional Indian foods like parottas, chapatis, and filter coffee decoction. The brand's commitment to quality and freshness earned it a loyal customer base, and soon, iD Fresh Food was available in supermarkets across India. Today, iD Fresh Food is a household name with an impressive turnover of over ₹550 crores (approximately $70 million USD) as of the latest reports. The company’s valuation has soared, with recent estimates placing it at around ₹2,000 crores (approximately $250 million USD). With an annual revenue growth rate of 30-40%, iD Fresh Food continues to dominate the ready-to-cook food segment, solidifying P.C. Mustafa's place as one of India’s most inspiring entrepreneurs. Stay Updated. Stay Informed. Stay Ahead. Share the Medial App with your network, colleagues, and friends. Let's brainstorm, discuss together and help each other achieve our goals. And don't forget to rate us on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store to help us reach even more amazing people like you.