Instagram story viewer> @jinmody> Tagged

Jinali Mody

@jinmody

2.4K

followers

2593

following

WIP @banofileather

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

“Winning the Hult Prize was absolutely surreal. We did not expect it.”

For Jinali Mody, founder of Banofi and a 2023 EF Hult Prize winner, that unforgettable moment became the beginning of an even bigger journey.

Banofi is a materials science company creating sustainable alternatives from crop waste. Since winning the $1M USD prize, the team has partnered with 100 smallholder farmers to source banana crop waste while helping increase household income by approximately 20%.

Banofi is also creating new opportunities for women working in its factory. Many of these women have been able to open bank accounts and gain greater ownership over their own funds and salaries while working with Banofi.

But building a company that is creating a market where none existed is not easy. As Jinali says, “The life of a founder is just consistent uncertainty.”

For Banofi, every step forward creates more momentum. And when the team looks back, the progress they have made gives them the confidence to keep going. Every day they’re transforming crop waste, supporting farmers, and helping drive a shift toward more sustainable materials 🌱

You can watch more stories of impact in our 2026 Global Finals livestream; link in bio! 🔗

82

6

That’s exactly what Banofi, a climate-tech startup founded by Jinoli Modi, is working on.

Instead of letting banana stems go to waste or be burned after harvest, Banofi extracts cellulose-rich fibre from them and transforms it into a leather-like material that can be used across fashion, lifestyle and automotive applications.

The impact is what makes the idea stand out. Banofi says its cellulose-based material uses 93% less water and 97% less CO₂ compared with conventional leather, while producing zero wastewater. The company has also helped create additional income opportunities for 100+ small farmers in India.

Founded in 2022, Banofi has already worked on pilot projects with 150+ brands across fashion, lifestyle and automotive sectors. It has also received international recognition, including the $1 million Hult Prize and recognition from the UN Environment Programme.

A simple agricultural waste problem is being turned into a material innovation — creating value for farmers, businesses and the planet. 🌱

Would you choose banana-based leather over conventional leather?

#banofi #raawmedia #climatetech #indianstartups #sustainablefashion

1

0

What happens after you win the million dollar prize?

EF Hult Prize $1M USD winners joined us at the 2026 Global Accelerator for an exclusive fireside chat at @ashridgehouse, sharing insights and reflections with our current cohort. There’s so much hype around the grand prize, but our alumni winners spoke to what that investment truly meant for their businesses in the long term.

Swipe through to learn more from founders of @ecobanalimited (2022), @banofi.bio (2023), @korionhealth (2024), and @stickem.sg (2025), and go to the link in our bio to meet the startups currently competing for this year’s $1M USD prize 🔗

Thank you to our $1M USD winners for returning for another year of passing the baton to the next generation of student entrepreneurs!

270

3

Celebrating Charles and Andreea in Revello

Got to wear my dream dress, comment for LINK

#wedding #revello #weddingguest #blacktie #weddingguestdress

3

201

What if banana crop waste could become the future of leather? 🍌🌱

Jinali, Founder of Banofi, shares how 3 years of R&D led to a more sustainable leather alternative.

A fascinating conversation with Rushabh, Co-Founder of VOLT. 💜

#VOLT #Banofi #Sustainability #MaterialInnovation #Podcast

Banofi, Sustainable Leather Alternative, Banana Crop Waste, Material Science, Sustainable Innovation, Bio Based Materials, Eco Friendly Materials, Sustainable Fashion, Leather Alternative, VOLT Podcast

20

0

Creativity became a catalyst for change at the Inter-House Digital Poster Design Competition.

Students of Grades VI and VII showcased their artistic vision by creating impactful typographic posters inspired by Jinali Pranav Mody, recipient of the Young Champion of the Earth 2025 award. Drawing inspiration from her innovative use of banana crop waste as a sustainable alternative to animal leather, the participants explored how design can raise awareness and inspire environmental responsibility.

. . .

SKV | Inter-House Digital Poster Design Competition | Sustainability | Typography | Digital Design | Environmental Awareness | Student Creativity | Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya | Best Boarding School in India

40

0

The future of our planet isn't just a headline,
it’s being built by these young Indians. 🇮🇳

This World Nature Conservation Day, we’re spotlighting the innovators, rescuers, and scientists rewriting the rules of conservation. From filtering microplastics with seeds to bringing species back from the brink of extinction, these "next-gen" champions prove that impact has no age limit.

We rise only as high as the ground we protect. 🌍

Hear their full stories and dive deeper into the world of conservation on the Some Like It Wild podcast. 🎧

[Indian wildlife conservationists, Young environmentalists India, World Nature Conservation Day 2026, Indian Skimmer conservation Chambal, Sustainable fashion India, Himalayan salamander protection, Microplastic filtration innovation, Some Like It Wild podcast, Wildlife rescue Goa]

#WorldNatureConservationDay #WildlifeIndia #GenZForChange #ConservationHeroes #SomeLikeItWild

539

7

From banana waste to luxury vegan leather. That's the journey of Jinali Mody's startup, Banofi. Founded in 2022, the company converts discarded banana stems into premium leather alternatives while helping farmers earn additional income from agricultural waste.

Banofi has already won the $1 million Hult Prize, received the UN Young Champions of the Earth Award, secured a Mercedes-Benz grant, and piloted its material with 150+ brands. It's a powerful example of how sustainability and innovation can solve real-world problems together.

#Banofi #ClimateTech #StartupStory #Sustainability #Innovation

3

0

59

12

Every banana gives us fruit but leaves behind four times its weight in waste.

That's the problem @banofi.bio decided to solve.

Founded by environmental biochemist @jinmody , Banofi transforms discarded banana stems into a 90% bio-based leather alternative that's @petaindia certified vegan.

No plastic,No toxic chemicals,Just waste turned into premium material.

Even better, it fits existing factory machines, supports farmers with higher incomes, and has already earned global recognition through the @hultprize

Sometimes the biggest innovation isn't creating something new...
it's seeing value where everyone else sees waste.

[banofileather, Jinali Mody, India, banana fiber, banana leather, bio-based leather, vegan leather, sustainable materials, agricultural waste, circular economy, fashion innovation, PETA certified, eco-friendly leather, plant-based leather, Hult Prize, sustainable fashion, climate tech, green innovation, biomaterials]

#Reels #ExplorePage #FashionReels #SustainableFashion #StartupIndia

15

0

At 39, I realise what an incredible privilege it is that my children and I got to know, love and grow up with all four of our grandparents. And especially my Nana.

In all my years, I have never once heard him raise his voice. I have only ever known him to smile, to forgive, to give and to love. He taught generations of us what kindness looks like, what generosity feels like, and what it truly means to put others before yourself.

Even in his final moments, he was smiling, grinning, blessing everyone around him.

And perhaps the greatest testament to the life he lived was this - an entire room full of grown-up grandsons, children and family, all wanting nothing more than to hold his hand and help him find peace.

Grief, I’ve realised, is just love with nowhere to go. And today there is so much love.

Thank you, Nana, for showing us how to live - with gentleness, with grace and with a smile on our faces. We will miss you forever, but what a gift it was to be loved by you.
❤️

806

73

Last few weeks at LOUÉ 🔮🪄 this year is all about working smarter not harder (also because I couldn’t possibly work harder), and enjoying life along the way more. I’d say it’s going pretty well so far!
First picture: at the @nona_source showroom in Paris learning all about luxury deadstock

Spent a few days in Croatia. My partner runs his own experiences business, so tagging along on his “work trips” is a guarantee for good times 🍷

First prototype of the tote. Many changes needed, but I couldn’t be more excited about it.

The interior is where the magic happens. A haven of calm organisation.

Visited a bio-materials trade show in Bruxelles @futurefabricsexpo 💚

Sourced some new materials - how gorgeous is this colour?!

Bruxelles from above

Dubrovnik at night, magical ✨

Sometimes all you need is to speak with peers in the industry, nobody gets you like they do.

One of the two Mano Pochettes I packed with me. I love wearing the Black one with Vanilla Stitch in summer 🪡

Golden hour ✨

Met the @uncagedinnovations team in person after working together remotely for over a year!

Spotted the Mano Pochette Dark Cherry on display at the @uncagedinnovations booth 🌱

Getting crafty with the prototypes ✂️ the beauty of working with fabric is that I can just cut and glue it as I like.

Playing with the details - should it be more or less open?

Blown away by these plant-based sequins by @sequinova - they are entirely made from cellulose ✨🌱

Equally impressed and excited by this plant-based fur @savian.bio

Conversations with @jinmody founder of @banofi.bio are always amazing. You are incredible 💚

In Ubrique, one more bag is taking shape 🪄🪄🪄

46

0