Paneer and tofu have long been staples for those looking to add protein to their diets. Growing reports, however, of adulteration in these products have led to concerns among people who are now looking for a more reliable, protein-rich vegetarian food option.
A Bengaluru-based startup has stepped in to offer an alternative that packs more protein than both. Founded in 2021 by Siddharth Ramasubramanian and Malavika S. V., Hello Tempayy provides plant-based food options that aim to address not only the growing demand for high-protein vegetarian foods but also concerns around quality, nutrition, and the trust consumers place in everyday protein sources.
According to Startuppedia, when a close family member of Siddharth and his wife, Malavika, fell ill, their household had to undergo several dietary changes, including gluten and dairy cuts.
This change introduced the couple to the concept of fermented foods. Shortly after, a trip to the Netherlands had them hooked on tempeh curry, and they learned more about the dish as well as its roots.
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Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans. It is higher in protein than paneer and tofu and loaded with gut-friendly probiotics. A beneficial culture naturally binds whole soybeans into a firm, dense cake through a fermentation process that provides a slightly nutty taste and chewy texture. According to the couple, 100 grams of tempeh has 21 grams of protein, whereas paneer offers 15 grams of protein and tofu 14 grams.
“In a world where food you have trusted suddenly feels unsafe and toxic, you can count on us. We don’t take this responsibility lightly,” Siddharth told the outlet. “Our facilities are the absolute gold standard in global food safety, with 14-point quality assurance and a quality control checklist with no exceptions ever. No preservatives, no fillers, just real clean ingredients,” he added.
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The couple started their brand with Rs 3.5 crore and a team of four people, including themselves. After multiple trials and errors, they redesigned the tempeh to be firmer so it would not crumble during cooking, which involves tawa, tadka, and curries.
Today, the food start-up produces highly nutritious, plant-based protein made from fermented non-GMO soybeans, packed with iron and vitamin B-12. The brand heavily focuses on premium non-GMO soybean sourcing, water quality, and precision fermentation, as well as farmer partnerships.
In the ready-to-cook category, the brand offers cubes and crumbles in natural and marinated variants, whereas in the frozen ready-to-eat category, it offers momos, kebabs, and parathas. The couple who began the brand with only 1,500 packs to their name now sells 300,000 packs every single month across quick commerce, e-commerce, and offline mediums, as per the report. The clean vegan protein brand crossed Rs 50 crore in ARR in 2026.
