Keeping innovation fresh

submited by

Style Pass

2021-07-02 21:00:06

As a 12-year-old, Kavita Shukla drank water believed to be contaminated. Because of her grandmother's quick homemade remedy, she didn't get sick. Since then, Shukla has devoted her life to figuring out why the remedy worked and how to replicate and advance its effects to mitigate world hunger.

Each month, our Journeys of Innovation series tells the stories of inventors or entrepreneurs who have made a positive difference in the world. Hear it in their own words or read the transcript below.

Kavita Shukla: The world's farmers actually grow enough food to feed everyone on the planet, but over 800 million people still go hungry every single day.

Linda Hosler: After a life-changing trip to visit her grandmother in India as a middle-schooler, Kavita Shukla dedicated herself to preventing food spoilage and alleviating hunger around the world. Today, she is the founder and CEO of The FRESHGLOW Co. and the inventor of FreshPaper, sheets infused with botanicals that keep produce fresh for longer periods of time.      I'm Linda Hosler from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. I recently spoke to Shukla about her journey from a 12-year-old experimenting in her garage to a successful entrepreneur.  She discussed the impact of self-doubt on invention, how important it is to share the stories of other innovators, and the inspiration behind FreshPaper.  

Kavita Shukla (left) as a child with her grandmother (right), who inspired FreshPaper. Photo courtesy of The FRESHGLOW Co.