1972 – Shiva Shankara Bhat Bonanthaya graduated from Kharwar with a science degree. At age 21, he set up a rice, coconut, and groundnut oil mill in Palacode, Tamil Nadu. With financial support from his maternal uncle (who later became his father-in-law), he operated the mill successfully for nine years despite a difficult business environment at the time.

1981 – Shiva Shankara Bhat married and handed over the mill operations to his younger uncle. He then worked on Fabrication and a High-Tension tower construction project with his elder brother in Bengaluru.

1988 – With the vision to set up something of its own and that would be useful to the people of his native place, Puttur. Shiva Shankara Bhat started M/s Sri Rama Industries with a flour and coconut oil mill in Parladka, Puttur. It was inaugurated on 8th January 1988. It started with a single rotary machine for oil extraction in the Parladka unit. An oil sales cum copra collection counter was opened in a rented room in Yelmudi. The job Work service was the main business model, where growers could extract oil from their copra for a small service fee.

Operations grew, goodwill developed, and quality was recognized in Puttur and its surrounding villages. Summer seasons became hectic with purchase and sales transactions. Another rotary machine was added. The factory building was extended to add a godown. Another 2 rotary machines were added to cater to growing demand. Shifted the counter to its building in Yelmudi Main Road. I started marketing coconut oil with the Santhosh brand in tins, cans, and Pouches to wholesalers in Puttur town. He was ably supported by a couple of trusted employees all along the way.

2006 – Mr. Santhosh, the younger son of Shiva Shankar Bhat, completed his BL and LLB from Vivekananda Law College, Puttur. At 23, determined to continue the family business to the next generation, he joined his father in growing the business.

2009 – Mr. Keshava Ram, the elder son of Shiva Shankar Bhat, completed his MBA in Marketing from NMIMS, Mumbai. Before his MBA, he worked for 4 years in the Software Industry in Bangalore, following his B.E in Computer Science from SJCE, Mysore, in 2003. Armed with professional qualifications, he saw an opportunity to grow the business by introducing technology, branding, and modern principles/practices of management. At 27, he returned to his native Puttur and started working on his growth plans.

Cocoguru Trademark – Existing brand Santhosh was thought to be a common name. In a bid to have a unique name, that reflected the Vision to ‘spread the benefits of coconut to people‘, name Cocoguru was coined. Application was made to trademark registry. Website domain www.cocoguru.com was registered, Facebook and Twitter handles for cocoguru was acquired. Logo and other brand elements were designed.

Automated Packaging – With more emphasis on branding, the products had to be packaged with the brand name. So, coconut oil packaging was introduced in pouches, PET Bottles and tins with the trademark Cocoguru. Those were packed using automatic packing machines, which started operating in January 2010. This project was backed by the Coconut Development Board‘s Technology Mission on Coconut Scheme and financed by Karnataka Bank. A floor with about 1000 sq. ft. Space was built above the existing factory. 3 packing machines, 2 filling machines, a compressor and accessories were installed there. An Oil Vending Machine was installed in the Sales outlet to dispense loose oil to consumers.

Company Incorporation – Cocoguru Coconut Industries Private Limited was incorporated on 2nd September 2010 on World Coconut Day.