StartUps

Revolutionizing Leadership: Virtual CFO services by Holistic Corporate Advisors

Holistic Corporate Advisors Pvt Ltd, founded by seasoned professionals CA Rajesh Donkeshwar and CA Sandeep Das, is an innovative and dynamic consulting firm with over 15-20 years of corporate experience. Apart from offering financial services, they also specialize in Virtual CFO services, revolutionizing leadership. Rajesh Donkeshwar shares their journey with Surabhi Goel.

The firm’s leadership includes three directors: CA Rajesh (Founder and Managing Director), CA Sandeep (Director), and BTECH and MBA Deepti (Director), together, this dynamic team is committed to providing diverse clients like Caps Gold, Manepally Jewellers, Vijaya Diagnostic Centre, Vasavi Group and many more with optimal financial structures and holistic services.

Rajesh’s passion for finance and business was evident from his early days at Nirmal, but due to family circumstances and financial considerations, he initially veered towards employment in the corporate world. Nonetheless, his heart always longed for the thrill of entrepreneurship and making a difference both at home and in society. Despite a successful career and a comfortable life, he sensed a lingering void, leading him to introspect deeply about his true calling.

The partners of HCAPL derived their expertise from extensive professional experience in corporate settings. Rajesh gained valuable insights from his work at Dr. Reddy’s Lab and Maytas Properties, handling large real estate projects. Meanwhile, Sandeep Das’s tenure at Deloitte and Middle East companies exposed him to major corporations and their growth strategies. Drawing from these experiences, they aim to educate and provide clients with successful organizational philosophies and strategic advisory services.

GAINED VALUABLE INSIGHTS FROM HIS WORK AT DR. REDDY’S LAB AND MAYTAS PROPERTIES, HANDLING LARGE REAL ESTATE PROJECTS

In 2016, Rajesh decided to take a leap of faith and pursued his dream of venturing into corporate finance and management consulting, ultimately co-founding SBS and Company, where he spearheaded the investment banking division. As the years passed, Rajesh realized that the ideologies and strategies at his previous firm didn’t entirely align with his vision for building a holistic approach to corporate advisory services. The year 2019 became a turning point, as he made the bold decision to establish Holistic Corporate Advisors Pvt Ltd, a firm that epitomizes his values and aspirations. The auspicious day of Basant Panchami on 20^th Feb 2020 marked the official incorporation of the company.

The initial steps to establish the company were challenging yet driven by their desire for independence and soul satisfaction. With a small team of just three employees, they focused on investment banking, corporate finance, and virtual CFO services. Despite the initial struggles, their dedication and perseverance helped them secure deals and gain visibility, gradually paving the way for growth and success in the years to come.

Rajesh said, “Our team identified a specific gap in the market that we aimed to address. We noticed that while big corporate firms had well-qualified Chartered Accountants on their teams, small and medium-sized companies often faced challenges in retaining such high-quality professionals due to budget constraints. As a result, these companies lacked experienced and qualified CFOs or management advisors to guide them strategically.”

To bridge this gap, Holistic Corporate Advisors recognized the need for virtual CFO services, where companies could avail of advisory support on a part-time basis. By offering periodic visits and consultations, the firm could address the strategic and financial concerns of these businesses, helping them grow, raise finance, and plan for the future. Moreover, they observed that many successful companies lacked a succession plan or strategy for unlocking their value, leading to potential disruptions in the long run. Holistic Corporate Advisors sought to assist such MSMEs in structuring their companies and protecting their assets, while also providing investment banking solutions to aid their growth and expansion.

THE COMPANY’S VISION INCLUDE EXPANDING INTO INTERNATIONAL FINANCE, PARTICULARLY IN INVESTMENT BANKING, TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON CLIENTS GROTH AND VALUE UNLOCKING.

Holistic Corporate Advisors Pvt Ltd is guided by a vision to empower entrepreneurs, achieve sustainable growth, and unlock business value. Differentiating itself with a holistic approach, the firm prioritizes innovation, employee support, and stakeholder value creation. They offer comprehensive services, going beyond audits, to provide strategic guidance for business success.

The firm distinguishes itself through its industry expertise, drawing from over 15-20 years of experience in corporate transactions. The firm takes a systematic approach to solutions, providing clients with structured learning and holistic advisory services. Their reasonable charges and continuous engagement with clients set them apart from traditional audit-focused firms. Additionally, they have a division called Vasavi Holistic Corporate Services, managed by Rajesh’s wife Deepti Donkeshwar, which handles a large portfolio of residential units and provides housing loan solutions. The company’s vision includes expanding into international finance, particularly in investment banking, to make a meaningful impact on clients’ growth and value unlocking. Ultimately, the firm’s success lies in contributing to society and making a positive difference in clients’ businesses.

Quick takes-

What helps your de-stress when not working?

Apart from work, I find joy and relaxation in walking, watching movies, travelling, and practising yoga and meditation. These activities serve as refreshing breaks for me.

Aside from being a workaholic, what gives you satisfaction?

I find immense satisfaction in accomplishing specific tasks and achieving goals, especially when they make a positive impact on employees, clients, and society. Making a meaningful contribution that benefits the community is deeply fulfilling for me.

Do you prefer solo travel or travelling with family? What is your favourite travel destination?

I absolutely love to travel, both alone and with family and friends. With family, I prefer destinations with greenery and serene spaces. For trips with friends, Goa is always a favourite choice. Internationally, Spain is a place I have always wanted to visit, and my kids are excited about going to Disneyland. There are still a few destinations on my bucket list that I hope to explore in the future.

What are your health objectives?

I prioritize discipline in my daily routine and enjoy starting my day with a morning walk or run, as well as engaging in yoga and meditation. Health is of utmost importance to me, as I firmly believe that without good health, wealth loses its significance. Additionally, I find pleasure in reading books to nourish my mind and soul.

Enhance your financial success with specialized investment banking and virtual CFO services. Reach out to CA Rajesh Donkeshwar at 9849304255 or Rajeshd@holisticcorporate.com.

August 1, 2023

Sujata & Taniya Biswas: Redefining the Everyday Indian Sari

A homegrown Indian fashion brand redefining the sari as an everyday, breathable, and expressive garment. Combining Sujata’s structured, systems-driven approach with Taniya’s creative vision, they work closely with artisan communities across India to create clothing rooted in comfort, honesty, and human connection. Their journey blends entrepreneurship with sisterhood, building a brand that values trust, craftsmanship, and mindful fashion. Taniya, you left a stable career with the Tata group and IBM after IIM Lucknow, and Sujata, you pivoted from IIFT Delhi and corporate life. What was the exact moment when both of you realised that the corporate path wasn’t enough and that Suta was waiting to happen? Taniya: It wasn’t a rebellion. It was recognition. I had done everything “right”: engineering, IIM, a Consulting role that looked perfect on paper. But somewhere between late-night presentations and early morning meetings, I realised I was living life from the neck up. My hands missed fabric. My heart missed stories. I kept returning mentally to memories of wet saris drying on clotheslines, of Maa moving through the house with her pallu tucked in. One evening, over chai, I said it aloud to Sujata: I don’t think this is it. The moment I spoke it, Suta was born. Sujata: For me, it came as the discomfort of becoming someone I wasn’t. The corporate world had given me growth, but it had also hardened me. I remember thinking: If success requires me to lose softness, I don’t want it. My PhD was an attempt to find meaning, but even that felt academic, distant. What we really wanted was to build something with our hands, our intuition, and our values. Suta didn’t arrive as planned. It arrived as relief. From travelling through remote weaving clusters in Meghalaya, Varanasi, MP, and Odisha to working directly with artisan families,

StartUps

Blood, Bond & Business: The Real Equations behind Family-Driven Startups

February is the month of relationships, and at Hashtag, we’re celebrating the bonds that shape not just personal lives, but powerful businesses. This special edition explores entrepreneurs who share more than a company; they share roots. From siblings turning into strategic partnerships to spouses balancing love and leadership, we dive into the real dynamics behind relationship-driven ventures. This month, discover how strong relationships can become a business’s most valuable asset. Vijayaraghavan Venugopal is the Co-founder at Fast&Up and has been instrumental in building the brand in India. He has over 26 years of business experience in diverse fields, which includes pharmaceuticals, Healthcare and Information Technology. He has been responsible for business development in multiple geographies, including the Triad (USA, Europe and Japan). He has worked with TekFriday, Dr Reddy’s, Lupin and Emcure in different senior management roles. He was Lupin’s country head in China for three years between 2007 and 2010. He is a mechanical engineer and an MBA in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi. He is one of the fastest amateur marathoners in the country, having run in sub-3-hour marathons 12 times in major cities throughout the world, including Paris, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, London, Tokyo and New York, all while leading the growth of India’s fastest-growing nutrition brand, Fast&Up. He also has the distinction of being the first Indian to do all six world marathon majors under 3 hours, and is the winner of the recently held Tata Mumbai Marathon in his age group. Varun Khanna is the CEO of Fullife Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., a company he started at the age of 23 with the sole purpose to focus on healthy living. A relentless passion to do something innovative for the millennial need for an active life drove him to launch India’s first effervescent

StartUps

Top 6 Startups Of 2025: The New Architects of India’s Future

From sustainable farming to EV mobility, discover six Indian startups shaping a cleaner, smarter, and more connected tomorrow. Every generation finds its dreamers, the ones who don’t just talk about change, but build it. In 2025, India’s startup scene feels less like a rush for valuation and more like a movement with a purpose. These founders aren’t chasing unicorn tags; they are chasing impact. They are solving what truly matters. This is the India that rolls up its sleeves and says ‘Let’s make it ourselves.’ Dhanush Kumar writes about the Top 6 Startups of 2025, born from soil, steel, and software, each shaping tomorrow with courage and conscience. 1.Handpickd: Fresh from Farm to Table When freshness becomes a luxury, Handpickd restores it to the everyday plate. This Bengaluru-based agritech startup has built a direct bridge between local farmers and urban consumers ensuring every tomato, mango, and millet travels fewer miles and earns farmers more smiles. Using tech-driven logistics and transparent sourcing, Handpickd doesn’t just deliver produce; it delivers trust. In an era of overprocessed everything, this is simplicity redefined clean food, honest pricing, and a system where farmers finally get their due.It’s not a brand. It’s a return to our roots literally. 2.Bambrew: Building a Plastic-free Future At a time when the planet gasps under plastic, Bambrew breathes innovation. The Bengaluru-based packaging pioneer crafts biodegradable, compostable alternatives made from bamboo, sugarcane, and cornstarch materials that love the earth back. Their vision isn’t just green, it’s bold. Bambrew’s eco-packaging now wraps products for top FMCG and e-commerce giants, proving sustainability doesn’t have to look boring or cost a fortune.This isn’t rebellion it’s reinvention. A reminder that small choices, multiplied by millions, can rewrite the story of our planet. 3.Eeki Foods: Vertical Farming for a Greener Tomorrow In the deserts of Rajasthan, where

StartUps

The Fresh Faces of India’s Clean Eating Revolution

Eat Right Clean eating is no longer a fad but a necessity in the times we live in, and several startups are making sure this is a choice that is easy to make. As people take charge of their health and well-being, eating clean is one of the most important priorities. BINDU GOPAL RAO features seven startups that are helping make this change, one plate at a time. Nutreat Hyderabad-based Nutreat was born in 2014 out of a personal need to provide clean, wholesome food for the founder’s son. Over time, this evolved into a deeper mission: to craft handmade, customised nutrition rooted in ancestral Indian food wisdom. “We handcraft each product using our signature four-step process sprouting, sun-drying, slow roasting, and stone grinding and tailor it to the individual’s age, health condition, and dietary needs. Nutreat promotes clean eating not just by avoiding processed ingredients, but by ensuring every spoonful is mindfully made and consciously consumed. In 2023, when our business was at its peak with franchise opportunities, foreign collaborations, and incubation offers we made a bold decision. We stepped back. We refused to bulk produce because it was creating false demand, pressuring both our team and consumers to buy more than they needed. That turning point reaffirmed our belief in nooverbuying and consciousconsumerism. Clean eating, we believe, must also be mindful free of waste, hype, or excess. While the wellness industry grows, we often see food wastage even in the name of healthy eating. Our model of customisation ensures that we make only what’s needed, drastically reducing waste while offering personalised nutrition,” says Jyothi Sri Pappu, Founder & CEO, Nutreat. Moving forward, their goal is to scale impact, not volume, by nurturing conscious consumers, supporting women artisans, and creating a food culture rooted in purpose. The Kenko Life