New Delhi (India): Srinivas P Mahendra is a visionary entrepreneur hailing from Karimnagar, a district in the state of Telangana, India. He embarked on an inspiring journey that led him to establish InkoTea, a thriving Tea Café Franchise Business based in Hyderabad. His passion for building brands and his belief in the positive impact of businesses by design motivated him to leave his successful 14+ year career as a Software Engineer in MNC companies like Accenture and HSBC.
After completing his engineering with honors from JNTU University, Hyderabad, Srinivas P Mahendra decided to follow his heart and explore the world of entrepreneurship. He entered the retail business, determined to make a difference by offering a unique and authentic Indian beverage experience. Despite having no background or previous experience in the industry, Srinivas excelled in this new environment, showcasing promising results with his innovative strategies and dedication. He has taken one of his younger brothers, Naresh P, as a Co-Founder to take care of trainings and supervision of outlets.
In April 2021, INKOTEA was founded with a vision to become a place where people can have their perfect tea time, one that triggers them to ask for “InkoTea” (One More Tea in ‘Telugu’). The café started with just 20+ beverage products but now boasts a menu of 40+ products, catering to a diverse range of customers. It has transformed into a welcoming space where families can gather, savor each sip, and create wonderful memories together.
InkoTea takes pride in delivering handmade, authentic, and aromatic Indian teas, sourced from exclusive tea estates in regions like Assam and Darjeeling. Quality is never compromised, as they ensure that each brew not only offers fantastic taste but also promotes good health with NO artificial colors and flavors. The menu also includes a variety of Fruit Teas and Floral Teas, such as White Tea, Blue Tea, Hibiscus Tea, Chamomile Tea, Kashmiri Tea, and Anti Diabetic Tea, providing something for every taste preference.
A distinguishing factor of InkoTea is its commitment to social responsibility and giving back to the nation. Srinivas transformed himself into a self-made entrepreneur, driven by the desire to offer the best quality teas and beverages while making a positive impact on society.
Despite facing multiple challenges during the early days, including those posed by the COVID pandemic, Srinivas’s innovative planning and resilience allowed him to overcome them all. Thanks to his efforts and dedication, InkoTea has flourished and expanded its presence with over 25 outlets across Telangana.
In recognition of his exceptional achievements and contributions to the tea industry, Srinivas P Mahendra and InkoTea have received numerous accolades. These include the Best Emerging Start Up (F&B) of the Year in 2021, the Best Tea Franchise of the Year in 2022, and the Fastest Growing Tea Franchise in India award in 2023.
Apart from his business success, Srinivas attributes his achievements to the unwavering support and trust of his loved ones, who have been the pillars of strength in his life. Their confidence in him has bolstered his determination to achieve greatness.
Srinivas’s inspiring journey has become a source of motivation for many young entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts. His success story serves as a shining example of how dedication, passion, and innovation can lead to remarkable achievements.
As he continues to shine in the tea industry, Srinivas P Mahendra’s future endeavors hold great promise. His relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to providing the best tea experience to customers will undoubtedly pave the way for even greater achievements in the years to come.
