PC Musthafa, who once earned just ₹10 a day as a coolie, now heads iD Fresh Food, a company with annual revenue of ₹681 crore. His journey underscores the power of education, perseverance, and entrepreneurial vision.

  • Family survived on just ₹10 per day
  • A teacher’s intervention enabled him to complete education and earn an MBA from IIM Bangalore
  • iD Fresh Food now generates ₹681 crore in revenue

From Coffee Plantation to Classroom

Born in Chennalode, Wayanad, Kerala, PC Musthafa helped his father work as a coolie on a coffee plantation after failing Class 6. The family’s daily income hovered around ₹10, making education seem like a distant luxury.

A Teacher’s Intervention

Determined to prevent a permanent dropout, a local teacher tracked down Musthafa, learned that financial constraints—not lack of interest—were the barrier, and persuaded his parents to send him back to school, even paying for his books.

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Higher Studies and Overseas Experience

Musthafa later earned an engineering degree from NIT Calicut and an MBA from IIM Bangalore. He then worked abroad as a software engineer, gaining valuable industry exposure before deciding to return to India.

Founding iD Fresh Food

In 2005, he and four cousins launched iD Fresh Food from a modest 50‑sq‑ft kitchen in Bengaluru, initially offering fresh idli‑dosa batter to urban households seeking convenience.

Scaling to ₹681 Crore

Today the company offers a wide portfolio—batter, parotas, paneer, curd, chutneys, sambar, ready mixes, and filter coffee—across India and markets such as the UAE, UK, US, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Ireland, and Singapore. FY25 revenue rose 22% to ₹681.38 crore, with a net profit of ₹50.75 crore.

Social Impact and Job Creation

The venture not only transformed Musthava’s personal fortunes but also created thousands of jobs for rural Indians, illustrating how a simple idea can drive large‑scale socioeconomic change.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that stories like Musthafa’s highlight the critical role of early educational support and the scalability of Indian SMEs in the global market, reinforcing calls for stronger entrepreneurship ecosystems.

"A single teacher’s belief can ignite a lifetime of innovation," says education policy expert Dr. Rina Patel.
Did You Know?: iD Fresh Food started with just four cousins and a tiny kitchen, yet now employs over 1,500 people worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How did iD Fresh Food expand into international markets?
A: By positioning its products as fresh, hygienic, and ready‑to‑cook, the company partnered with local distributors in the UAE, Singapore, and other regions, leveraging the Indian diaspora’s demand.

Q2: What lessons can aspiring entrepreneurs learn from Musthafa’s story?
A: Investing in education, persisting through setbacks, and tailoring solutions to everyday consumer needs are key drivers of sustainable success.