Who we
are
About Samva Collective
Samva is a creative collective rooted in rural India, dedicated to transforming micro and nano enterprises into aspirational brands. Our name reflects our ethos: Samvad - dialogue and Vani - voice, symbolising our commitment to communication, empowerment, and cultural integrity.
We work closely with women-led and community-based entrepreneurs, building inclusive pathways for sustainable growth.
Vision
To unlock the potential of micro and nano enterprises by transforming their products and services into recognisable, trusted, and aspirational brands.
Mission
To provide accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant branding and marketing solutions tailored for emerging rural entrepreneurs, enabling them to grow sustainably and reach wider markets.
Our Values
Equity
We create fair, inclusive pathways for entrepreneurs and communities.
Empowerment
We enable individuals to own their voice, story, and future.
Respect
We honour local cultures, languages, and lived wisdom.
Integrity
We act with honesty, transparency, and accountability.
Collaboration
We believe in collective creativity and shared ownership.
Sustainability
We design for long-term impact, not short-term fixes.
Samva Sabha
It Begins with Us & Grows with You
Renza Kalarikkandy Maliyekkal
Founder, CEO
Renza is a strategist, communicator, and Kalaripayattu practitioner passionate about rural empowerment, gender equity, and storytelling. With a PhD (in progress) from Erasmus University Rotterdam and a background in research and movement, she brings together academic rigour and lived experience to shape Samva's vision. She has worked across development communication, education, artisan livelihoods, and social justice, and has served on the Research Ethics Committee at Erasmus School of Philosophy.
Muhassin
Founder, COO
Muhassin is a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Nano Media. With deep roots in the picturesque coastal town of Ponnani and a sharp eye for visual narrative, he specialises in telling the stories of Indian enterprises with clarity and impact. His work blends aesthetics with advocacy, enabling rural brands to shine in urban and digital markets. He co-founded Samva to build bridges between grassroots entrepreneurs and global platforms.
Varsha Shankar
Director, Founders' Office
An experienced project manager specializing in strategic communications and digital content. Varsha leads initiatives that enhance brand visibility and audience engagement. With a strong background in administration from previous roles at Happy Creative Services, Caterpillar India, and Ogilvy, Varsha brings a versatile skill set in office management, HR support, and event coordination. She has successfully managed projects for IIMK Live and IIM-B, focusing on digital outreach and rural empowerment. Known for her organizational skills and collaborative approach, Varsha excels at driving impactful, people-centered initiatives.
Ajay Rastogi
Advisor
Ajay Rastogi is the co-founder and director of the Foundation for the Contemplation of Nature and Vrikshalaya Himalayan Centre in Majkhali, Uttarakahnd. With a background in sustainable food systems, place based education and ethics; he brings over three decades of experience in conservation, education, yoga, and community empowerment. Designated as South Asia Youth Leader and a recipient of the Erasmus Mundus European Union Fellowship as well as Nehru-Fulbright Environmental Leadership Award, Ajay integrates mindfulness, yoga, sustainability, and Himalayan village life into contemplative practices that nurture resilience, interdependence, and a deeper connection with nature.
Payal Arora
Advisor
Payal Arora is a Professor of Inclusive AI Cultures at Utrecht University and co-founder of the Inclusive AI Lab and FemLab. A digital anthropologist with two decades of experience focusing on the Global South, she is the author of 150+ articles and award-winning books, including The Next Billion Users. Recognized by Forbes as a ‘Next Billion Champion’ and named among the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics 2025, Payal has consulted for Spotify, Google, Adobe, and more, and presented over 350 keynotes worldwide. She is a Harvard and Columbia University, and Rockefeller Bellagio Resident Fellow alumni, and lives in Amsterdam.
Ajay Muliyil
Advisor
Building on over two decades of experience with global leaders like Ogilvy, Oracle, and Apple, Ajay Muliyil is a seasoned advisor in public relations and corporate communications. He currently serves as a Vice President at MSL India (part of Publicis Groupe). Ajay's deep leadership experience includes directing corporate communications for the publicly listed Himatsingka Group. He also spent over a decade heading Ogilvy PR Bangalore, where he oversaw P&L and managed key accounts like Amazon, Atlassian and Lenovo. With an MBA and a Computer Science degree, his expertise spans diverse sectors, including IT, BFSI, Healthcare, and Automobile. He actively shares his insights through published observations on the industry.
R Sai Shiva Jayanth
Advisor
Jayanth is an Assistant Professor at IIM Visakhapatnam. He has a PhD in Economics from the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, India. His areas of interest are Development Economics, Behavioral Economics, Development Finance and Public Policy. He has published several research papers, case studies and newspaper articles. Prior to his PhD, Jayanth qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary. Jayanth is also Co-Founder and Director at Script Craft, which develops AI/ML tools for screenplay analytics, and Cheers Wisdom, a platform building the world's first Situational Wisdom engine using crowd intelligence.
Srinivasulu Rajendran
Global Strategic Partnerships & Alliance Lead
Srini is an Agricultural Economist and agribusiness professional with over 15 years of experience across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. His work spans seed systems, agrifood value chains, women-led enterprises, startups, MSMEs, and Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) ecosystems. He has collaborated with CGIAR centers, governments, donors, NGOs, and private-sector partners to design scalable, market-oriented, and inclusive business models. Srini bridges research, entrepreneurship, and development practice, supporting partnership building and donor-aligned programs that translate evidence into sustainable impact.
Vijay Joy
Creative Director
Joy brings over two decades of award-winning advertising and film production experience to Samva Collective. As a visionary creative director, he has led campaigns for brands like Ola, Godrej, Morphy Richards, and HSBC, earning 30+ industry accolades to his name including multiple Abbys, Golds, Silvers, and D&AD nominations. Joy provides creative direction across branding, marketing, social impact, corporate initiatives, space and furniture design, tourism, project planning, and more. His knack for culturally resonant storytelling shapes integrated campaigns and genuine brand experiences. At Samva Collective, Joy empowers both rural enterprises and corporate clients to discover and express their authentic voice in an ever-evolving marketplace.
Firoz Berly
Legal Counsel
Bringing extensive expertise in corporate advisory, compliance, litigation, and global legal strategy, Firoz currently shapes Ultrahuman's legal frameworks across contract negotiation, data privacy, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. His broad skills cover advertising and marketing law, consumer litigation, labor advisory, policy drafting, and legal investigations. He has designed legal playbooks and negotiation frameworks that align complex legal requirements with business goals. Earlier experience in criminal law enhanced his advocacy and analytical abilities. Beyond the professional realm, he volunteers with Jidnyasa Charitable Trust supporting marginalized migrant children and pursues interests in sustainability, mycology, and equitable music monetization, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to legal practice.
Ratheesh Sundaram
Visual Culture Lead
Ratheesh is a documentary photographer and visual storyteller exploring identity, cultural memory, and socio-political life in India. A historian by training, he holds a postgraduate degree from the University of Kerala and has worked with The New Indian Express, India Today, and The Times of India. His projects include documenting the Armenian Christian community in India and Polyphonic Narratives of Transgender Lives, supported by the University of Würzburg. A 2024 graduate of Pathshala's International Photography Program, he blends historical inquiry with humanist storytelling.
Nileena Rajan
Design Innovation Lead
Nileena is a product design graduate from NID Ahmedbad with a background in Fashion and Lifestyle accessory design from NIFT and a masters in Design for Health and Wellbeing from the University of Limerick, Ireland. She is driven by a commitment to improving the quality of Life. She brings in experience in working with traditional crafts like Channapatna wood, lac turnery and Bidri and has developed products that blend cultural relevance with everyday utility. Her work centres on co-creating with artisans to build market-ready, meaningful products rooted in local wisdom and sustainable practices.
Keerthana Dev
Designer
Keerthana is a multidisciplinary designer with a background in Communication Design from NIFT. She brings brands to life by shaping their visual identities and building strong, strategic foundations. With a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of storytelling, she creates design systems that are both thoughtful and passionate about crafting meaningful experiences.
Mamta Srinivas
Tech & Systems Architect
Mamta is a full-stack engineer and former architect who bridges the worlds of design, code, and systems thinking. With over a decade of experience across architecture, logistics tech, and UX, she currently works in Sweden, building tools that enhance user experience and operational flow. Trained in advanced architecture and web development, she brings a rare blend of structural design sensibility and digital creativity to inclusive tech-building efforts.
CA Siyahul Rahman P
Fiscal Strategy Partner
Siyahul is a Chartered Accountant with a strong track record in financial planning, taxation, and compliance. With nearly a decade of experience spanning corporate finance, statutory advisory, and teaching law, he brings deep expertise in Indian Taxation, Corporate Laws, and financial structuring for emerging enterprises. Siyahul has also taught law and finance, combining technical knowledge with strong communication and mentorship skills.
In Partnership, For Progress
Our work is rooted in co-creation with communities, institutions, and ecosystems to build lasting, inclusive change.