Инженер из Индии бросил IT-сферу ради бизнеса на природе: компания Wildlife Whisperers заработала 80 лакхов за первый год

For more than a decade, Sai Kiran Bhagavatula followed a conventional technology career, working across Indian cities and later moving to the US for higher studies. But after 13 years in the IT industry, the Hyderabad-based engineer made an unusual career decision: he walked away from technology and built a business around his fascination with wildlife. His venture, Wildlife Whisperers, uses observations from animals and ecosystems to develop lessons for corporate teams. According to a report by 30 Stades, the bootstrapped company generated Rs 80 lakh in revenue during its first year. Bhagavatula's career change in 2023 was rooted in an interest that had existed long before he became an entrepreneur. From engineering and data science to wildlife Bhagavatula completed his electronics and communication engineering degree in 2010 and went on to work in Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. In 2014, he moved to the US to pursue a master's degree in data science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, according to 30 Stades. Even while building his technology career, however, wildlife remained a major interest. He regularly spent weekends exploring nature with a DSLR camera and eventually travelled to national parks across India, the US and Africa. Photography initially gave him a way to document the animals he encountered. Over time, though, Bhagavatula began to see the subject differently. In a separate account published by Humans of Hyderabad, he recalled realising that photography could go beyond simply capturing striking images of animals. It could tell stories about “ecosystems, survival, and connection”. After returning to India, he worked as a senior product manager before bringing his 13-year IT careerto an end in 2023. That was when he launched Wildlife Whisperers. What can lions, ants and honey bees teach companies? The premise behind Wildlife Whisperers is to look at familiar workplace challenges through the behaviour of animals and the functioning of natural ecosystems. Bhagavatula uses examples from the wild to draw parallels with corporate behaviour. Lions, for instance, can offer insights into teamwork, while ants demonstrate forms of delegation. Honey bees, meanwhile, provide examples of how groups respond collectively when faced with threats. The programmes combine wilderness experiences with corporate learning and development, alongside principles from behavioural science. The objective is to turn observations from nature into lessons that can be applied to leadership, collaboration, resilience and mindfulness in professional settings. Speaking separately to Telangana Today, Bhagavatula described the philosophy behind the venture as an effort to connect the corporate environment with the natural world. At the heart of the concept, he said, is the belief that “nature is the greatest teacher”. The idea has also found recognition on entrepreneurship platforms. Bhagavatula was listed as the founder of Wildlife Whisperers at the TiE Global Summit 2024 in Bengaluru. How Wildlife Whisperers made Rs 80 lakh The unconventional business idea appears to have found interest among corporate clients. According to 30 Stades, Wildlife Whisperers generated Rs 80 lakh in revenue during its first year. The company has worked with organisations including Perfetti Van Melle and Siemens Digital, while also holding discussions with companies operating in sectors such as banking, FMCG and manufacturing. Its offerings are not limited to conventional classroom-style corporate training. The venture conducts corporate workshops as well as multi-day wilderness experiences, with programmes designed around themes including teamwork, resilience and mindfulness. The approach effectively combines Bhagavatula's two seemingly separate worlds: his understanding of corporate workplaces from his years in technology and product management, and his longstanding interest in wildlife and nature. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated! Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend. Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.