About Us
Who We Are
We are not magicians, just really passionate plant people.
We are a team of horticultural experts, logistical masterminds, design geniuses, and lots of dedicated worker bees trying our best to earn the smile you wear on seeing the healthy, happy plants you receive.
We are a young enthusiastic team of just over 200 people, working behind the scenes to invite you into the secret life of plants. To nudge you to experiment, make mistakes, play, pause, and disconnect from the noise and find your centre
Our History
Ugaoo was formed with the idea to help people pause and breathe in some peace in their busy city lives. When Siddhant returned back to India after finishing his degree in Landscape Architecture at Cal Tech, he noticed the disconnect between people and nature and decided to start Ugaoo to build a bridge between the two.
Rooted firmly in his family’s century old agri-tech business, Ugaoo sprung up like a new leaf on a spring morning and is today a mighty tree that helps other smaller businesses thrive in its shade. We have formed a proudly Made in India ecosystem that grows with each passing day.
What We Do
We are here to encourage people to discover beauty, miracles, and serendipity in their everyday lives. We are here to make the magic of plants accessible to you at your fingertips and safeguard and nurture them till they reach you - their forever homes.
We make plant parenting simpler, comfortable, less intimidating and reassuring through our ideas, knowledge, and understanding. We grow our plants with passion, happiness, and utmost care so that when they reach you, they spread the same joy in your lives.
How We Do It
We are driven by our passion to promote the slower way of life, to help you find the small joys that life has to offer. We grow our own plants in state-of-the-art polyhouses and greenhouses spread over 18 acres of land. Our people watch over the plants with expert help and guidance from planting to transporting them to your doorstep.
We use a science backed approach to grow our plants, adhere to sustainable practices to the best of our ability, while growing a community of growers and small business owners that grow with us on this journey.
Our USPs
Our Mission
To inspire a world where every plant journey is a personal revolution of inner change and growth. Every plant is a catalyst of change for people.
We facilitate each step and milestone of this journey where people experience their own inner lives, and the world, in revolutionary new ways - with new understanding, insight, perspectives and openness. This unique, personal life transformation is what causes ripples of change across the planet, inspiring a quiet revolution that helps nature and humans both live their healthy, happy, thriving selves.
The People Behind The Plants
We are a young, energetic, and passionate team of 200.
We have our head office in Pune and nurseries in Talegaon, with dispatch centres in Pune and Mumbai. Our team has horti-cultural experts, logistical masterminds, design superstars, management superheroes, and the best worker bees who ensure that everything moves ahead at the right pace.
Siddhant Bhalinge
AKA
Chief Executive Officer
Saurabh Sameer
AKA
Head of Growth
Where I thrive
I love challenges! Especially when I have to chart my own course... pathmaker, that's what I am.
How do you recharge?
Long walks! Me alone with my thoughts and endless miles to cover always charges me up.
Special Feature
Details...it's all in the details! I want each detail to be perfect and ironed out to perfection.
Seema Tripathi
AKA
Customer Delight Manager
Where I thrive
Give me a space where everyone is in tune with the tune and lives in the moment for the moment and I will thrive like nobody's business! I am all for loud music and cheese platters at work!
How do you recharge?
My BarcaLounger and an endless supply of tea are a match made in heaven for me.
Special Feature
I could sweet talk my way into the Pentagon! Should we try?
Nitin Shelke
AKA
Operations Manager
Where I thrive
I love a relaxed environment where I can delve into the root cause of any issue at work so that the ride ahead is smoother.
How do you recharge?
A good night's sleep while cuddling my son is the best thing in my life.
Special Feature
I physically cannot say no to anyone who needs help.
Piyush Mrinal
AKA
Web Technology Assistant Manager
Where I thrive
I am all about the people I work with. I love bouncing ideas around and creating something new , and i always appreciate constructive feedback on my work.
How do you recharge?
On days that I don't feel a 100% myself , I like to take stock of my life and revisit my goals. Sometimes a few hours of cycling can also pump me up instantly.
Special Feature
I believe every problem atleast deserves and attempt and is, more often than not, solvable with a little change in approach.
Sharad Pawar
AKA
Order Processing Assistant Manager
Where I thrive
I love a lively work place, where there's never a dull moment and i can complete my tasks with ease.
How do you recharge?
I love going on trips with my family - a fun filled family day is exactly what i need to recharge.
Special Feature
An instant smile on my face in any situation, I could very well be the smiling Buddha!
Sneha Singh
AKA
Creative & Branding Assistant Manager
Where I thrive
Pre-planned days with ample room for free conversations and endless wandering ideas.
How do you recharge?
Early morning gardening on the weekend, followed by brunch and a movie binge. A glass of red wine and a book in the evening. Also, board games, all day every day.
Special Feature
I drink and I know things (if you get it, we can be friends).
Akansha Khanna
AKA
Human Resource Manager
Where I thrive
An environment with a diverse team with enriched experiences & dynamic personalities, helping each other learn new things and grow together!
How do you recharge?
A venti of Java Chip Frappuccino for me & a Puppuccino for my furbaby – the perfect ‘me’ day!
Special Feature
I mimic a lot, like a lot. Anyone but not everyone ;)
Sanket Singh
AKA
Creative and Branding Executive
Where I thrive
Collaborative environments where everyone's an equal and the concept of a 'bad idea' doesn't exist.
How do you recharge?
A long spin in the mountains on my beloved bike (I call it the Western Ghat circuit :P )
Special Feature
I've not seen a single episode of FRIENDS. It definitely counts as a special feature nowadays.
Sulbha Kulkarni
AKA
Plant Production and Procurement Assistant Manager
Where I thrive
I am always in a Zen state of mind and i thrive in spaces where my inputs are valued.
How do you recharge?
Spending time chatting with my sisters. I know everyone thinks their sisters are the best.. but mine are better.
Special Feature
If storytelling was a super power, I could beat the Hulk! For a clearer picture, if we met for breakfast, we'd probably be having dinner by the end of the conversation.
Rakesh Ahire
AKA
Order Processing Executive
Where I thrive
Give me a workspace that is filled with music and I will have the drive and energy to take on the world.
How do you recharge?
I love to see my loved ones happy and smiling... and if that smile and pride is for me, nothing can stop me from giving my best!
Special Feature
I can work at twice my speed when I'm angry.
Deepa Damodaran
AKA
Customer Delight Assistant Manager
Where I thrive
In a lush environment (with at least a thousand plants even on my desk!) and a space where I am heard and valued.
How do you recharge?
Sisters for the win! Give me a day with them...or even an hour and I am as good as new.
Special Feature
I can eat up to twenty plates of pani puri in one go... I'm open to competing and the one who loses, pays! Heads up: It will be you.
Ajay Kirtak
AKA
Plant Production and Procurement Assistant Manager
Where I thrive
I work my best under pressure. It keeps me focused and determined.
How do you recharge?
Spending quality time with my kid... there's truly no feeling better than that.
Special Feature
I am the in-house candid photographer, so if you ever want a behind the scenes...you know who to come to.
Mrunmayee Pawar
AKA
Logistics Assistant Manager
Where I thrive
Me, my dogs, and my plants - the three best things in the world!
How do you recharge?
My family is my power bank! Spending time with them comforts me and provides me with the energy I need.
Special Feature
My childlike voice! It never fails to put a smile on everyone's face.. including my own!
Anagha Jitesh
AKA
Customer Delight Assistant Manager
Where I thrive
I like to always give my best no matter what I'm doing. So when I'm at work, I'm focused only on my work. And when I'm at a party, I'm focused on having a blast!
How do you recharge?
A laid back day spent eating great food and catching up with my family.
Special Feature
I love meeting new people and making new connections. I'm always looking to grow my tribe!
Manisha Chandurkar
AKA
Finance and Accounts Manager
Where I thrive
I love a hassle-free environment and hate being under pressure. I like to set timelines and deadlines and do things in an orderly fashion.
How do you recharge?
I love me a good cup of coffee! A good day is never complete without it and nothing can make a bad one better.
Special Feature
I am a quick learner who thinks on her feet, and this skill has helped me in tricky situations on numerous occasions.
Lakshmikant Borade
AKA
Business Development Manager
Where I thrive
I seek peacefulness, positivity, and mutual respect in my place of work.
How do you recharge?
Being a health and fitness enthusiast, working towards bettering the two makes me feel content.
Special Feature
I like to see the best in people - I believe that everyone has something special that sets them apart from others, and I love to learn from people and their unique traits.
