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Pooja Bavishi

Founder and CEO of Malai

Pooja Bavishi is the founder and CEO of Malai, an artisanal ice cream company based in Brooklyn, New York.13 She founded Malai in 2015 after graduating from NYU's Stern School of Business, with the aim of creating unique ice cream flavors inspired by South Asian spices and ingredients.12

Bavishi's background is diverse:

  • She holds a B.A. from UNC Chapel Hill, an M.S. from the London School of Economics, and an MBA from NYU.13
  • Prior to founding Malai, she worked in urban planning, civil rights, and nonprofit sectors.1

Her achievements include:

  • Winning a battle on Food Network's "Chopped Sweets" in 2020.13
  • Being named one of Inc. Magazine's Female Founders 100 in October 2020.12
  • Recognized as a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow in 2018.2

Malai has grown significantly under Bavishi's leadership:

  • The company operates a brick-and-mortar scoop shop in Brooklyn.1
  • Malai's products are available nationwide through grocery stores and online shipping.13
  • The ice cream flavors, such as Kheer and Lemon Cardamom, are inspired by Bavishi's Indian-American upbringing.45

Bavishi is known for her hands-on approach in Malai's operations, from creating new flavors to managing the company's expansion.13 She is also committed to mentoring and supporting other women and entrepreneurs in the food industry.5

Highlights

Apr 19 · youtube.com
Meet Pooja Bavishi, 2024 Accompany Capital Immigrant ... - YouTube
Meet Pooja Bavishi, 2024 Accompany Capital Immigrant ... - YouTube
Aug 7 · Forbes
We’re Screaming For These Regional Ice Cream Brands - Forbes
We’re Screaming For These Regional Ice Cream Brands - Forbes
Pooja Bavishi, Founder & CEO of Malai Ice Cream
Jun 17 · The New York Times
The Best Ice Cream Maker - The New York Times
The Best Ice Cream Maker - The New York Times
Sep 3 · malai.eco
Malai Eco

Related Questions

What inspired Pooja Bavishi to start Malai Ice Cream?
How did winning Chopped Sweets impact Pooja's career?
What are some unique flavors offered by Malai Ice Cream?
How does Pooja incorporate South Asian spices into her ice cream?
What challenges did Pooja face when founding Malai?
Pooja Bavishi
Pooja Bavishi, photo 1
Pooja Bavishi, photo 2
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Location

New York, New York, United States