As India’s startup ecosystem expanded, the way people worked began to change as well.
Freelancers, entrepreneurs, and professionals started looking for workspaces that offered more than just a desk and Wi-Fi; they wanted places where they could collaborate, connect with others, and feel inspired.
Seeing this shift, Maharashtra-based entrepreneur Vandita Purohit decided to build a workspace that offered a different experience.
Purohit began her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 22. Along the way, she dealt with partner fallouts and changed business directions several times before entering the hospitality and co-working sector.
In 2020, amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched Mauji, a time café that operates on a different model from traditional cafés.
Today, Mauji serves professionals, freelancers, and creators by providing a workspace that combines the functionality of an office with the comfort of a café.
“Having worked in the co-working sector, I realised there was a need for spaces where people could spend time without being expected to order food or drinks. That’s what inspired me to launch Mauji as a time café, where people pay for the time they spend and are free to use the space however they like,” Vandita tells Startup Pedia in an exclusive interview.
Background of Mauji Founder Vandita Purohit
Inner view of Mauji cafe Photograph: (by: Vandita Purohit)
Belonging to Nagpur, Maharashtra, Vandita Purohit completed her bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from Nagpur University in 2008.
She is a first-generation serial entrepreneur and designer with more than a decade of experience building businesses focused on community and collaboration.
She began her entrepreneurial journey in 2009 by co-founding Mint Tree, an IT sales and business development consulting firm.
In 2015, after attending a startup bootcamp in San Francisco, she co-founded The Daftar, a co-working space in Pune created for startups, freelancers, and independent professionals.
In 2018, she launched TraWork, a travel startup built around the idea of helping professionals work while travelling.
Three years later, she founded Kalapentry, a design studio that refurbishes old furniture and designs collaborative commercial spaces using sustainable practices.
Drawing on her experience in entrepreneurship, design, hospitality, and community building, Vandita later launched Mauji Time Cafe in 2020, bringing these ideas together in a workspace designed for professionals, freelancers, and creators.
About Vandita Purohit’s Initial Ventures and Entrepreneurial Journey
A guest working comfortably at Mauji Time Cafe’s relaxed co-working lounge in Pune Photograph: (by: Vandita Purohit)
In 2009, Vandita co-founded Mint Tree, an IT sales and business development consulting firm, along with her husband.
In 2014, one of the company’s major projects came to an end following a partner fallout.
Rather than shutting down, the couple continued working with their US-based sales clients and used the profits to launch a software services startup.
The new venture, however, failed to gain traction. As losses mounted, they had to vacate their Pune office, lay off employees, and rebuild the business with a leaner team.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned was knowing when to stop. Continuing to pour resources into an unsustainable business only makes it harder to move forward,” Vandita tells Startup Pedia.
In 2015, after attending a startup bootcamp in San Francisco, Vandita co-founded Daftar, a co-working space in Pune.
The venture gained traction, but in 2020, she stepped away from its day-to-day operations due to differences in vision with her partners and limited opportunities for further business growth and expansion.
“The biggest lessons from Daftar were to choose partners carefully, scale at a sustainable pace, and build a business that can withstand challenges. I carried those learnings with me while launching Mauji,” says Vandita.
Motivation behind Mauji
Interior view of Mauji Time Cafe featuring cozy seating, bookshelves, indoor plants, vintage décor, and a reception area Photograph: (by: Vandita Purohit)Identifying the Gap
Having worked in the co-working industry, Vandita noticed that many people stepped out of their homes or offices not to eat or drink, but simply to work, meet someone, read, or spend time in a comfortable environment.
Traditional cafés, however, expected customers to order food or beverages to occupy a table.
She wanted to create a space where people could stay for as long as they needed without feeling obligated to make a purchase.
From a Travel Café to Mauji
Mauji was originally conceived as an extension of Vandita’s travel startup, TraWork.
The idea was to create a travel café that would serve as TraWork’s office while also housing a café and a travel store.
During her research, she came across the concept of third spaces, places outside home and work where people can connect, work, or simply spend time.
Realising there was room for such a concept in Pune, and with support from an investor, she refined the idea and launched Mauji as a pay-by-the-hour – “Time Café”
Building Mauji During the Pandemic
Vandita began building Mauji just as the COVID-19 pandemic brought the country to a standstill.
She took possession of a 6,000-square-foot bungalow in Pune on March 14, 2020, but within days, the nationwide lockdown halted construction work completely
With the support of her investor and landlord, Vandita continued developing the space in phases during the lockdown.
She designed the interiors herself, while investing around Rs 80–90 lakh to set up Mauji’s first café.
“The café was ready by September 2020, but we could only open in October after the restrictions were relaxed. In the beginning, almost all our customers came through word of mouth and social media. As things gradually returned to normal, we officially launched Mauji in December 2020,” the Maharashtra-based entrepreneur tells Startup Pedia.
Challenges Faced as a Serial Entrepreneur
As a first-generation serial entrepreneur, Vandita has faced several challenges while building businesses across IT consulting, co-working, travel, and hospitality.
Starting her first venture at the age of 22, she had no prior business experience or mentors.
“The biggest challenge isn’t coming up with an idea; it’s executing it. Building a business requires patience, managing resources, making tough decisions, and handling problems that no one sees,” the Mauji founder recalled.
When asked about challenges as a woman entrepreneur, Vandita said she has not personally faced discrimination or lost opportunities because of her gender.
About Mauji Cafe
A guest at Mauji’s library Photograph: (by: Mauji)
Mauji is India’s first and largest time-cafe and anti-cafe. The core Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is its pay-by-the-hour concept.
Instead of being forced to purchase food or a coffee to occupy a table, people pay for the time they spend in the space.
During their billed time, guests are granted access to unlimited complimentary beverages, a self-serve DIY snack bar, and high-speed WiFi.
Concept of BYOF
Mauji operates as a BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) cafe, where people have the absolute freedom to bring home-cooked meals or order in via delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy.
“Our goal was to build a space where people feel comfortable enough to stay, collaborate, and be part of a community, rather than just visit for a cup of coffee,” she says.
Space Location & Details
Mauji currently operates three cafés across Pune and Nagpur. The spaces are designed to encourage people to work, relax, and connect, with themed interiors, greenery, and comfortable seating for both individuals and groups.
Its flagship café in Bhosale Nagar, Pune, is spread across a 6,000-square-foot, 40-year-old bungalow and can accommodate up to 150 people, including 55 dedicated co-working seats.
In Nagpur, Mauji operates two cafés in New Colony and Laxmi Nagar, each spanning around 1,800 square feet with a seating capacity of approximately 60 people.
What Mauji Provides?
The Time Cafe: The primary lounge and workspace where guests pay by the hour, enjoying unlimited beverages and a relaxed vibe.
Workspace/Co-working: A dedicated area for monthly members, freelancers, and small teams (like creative and tech startups and marketing agencies), fully equipped for productivity.
Studio Space: A creative playground equipped for photographers, creators, and designers to shoot content or record podcasts.
Event Spaces: Highly adaptable spaces designed to host a massive variety of gatherings, including flea markets, art workshops, seminars, and supper clubs.
Library: A carefully curated collection of fiction and non-fiction books sourced from the community and the founder’s personal collection.
Maker Space: A dedicated hands-on area for pottery, prototyping, and other creative projects.
The Art Store: A creative marketplace where local artists can buy, sell, and showcase their craftsmanship to a wider audience.
The Kitchen & DIY Station: An operational kitchen for those who wish to order food, running alongside a DIY complimentary snack and beverage station.
Pricing Model
Mauji’s operations are digitized for a seamless, largely cashless experience where users check in and out by scanning a QR code.
Time Cafe: Starts at Rs 210 / hour (Includes unlimited beverages, snacks, and WiFi)
Event Space: Starts at Rs 1,500 / hour
Studio Space: Starts at Rs 1,500 / hour
Monthly Co-working Membership: Starts at Rs 10,000 / month
Also Read: The Rameshwaram Cafe unveils Chapter 2: The Divine Fold, with a Gaushala within the cafe
Community Impact & Annual Revenue
Mauji has built a strong community, with nearly 50% of its customers returning to the cafés regularly.
Across its three locations, the team organises around 400 to 500 events every year, averaging at least eight events on a typical weekend.
The business is run by a team of 32 people, including community managers, baristas, kitchen staff, and finance and legal professionals.
Currently, Mauji generates an annual revenue of around Rs 2 crores.
Also Read: 19-YO Haryana girl started Cafe Beings while studying in Class 10; now makes ₹1.2Cr revenue annually
Future Goals
Looking ahead, Vandita Purohit aspires to establish Mauji as a recognizable brand centered around the concept of community-driven third spaces.
Her vision is to build a 1000 crore hospitality venture under the banner of Third Space Hospitality and Space Solutions with Mauji at its helm.
While currently operating exclusively in Pune and Nagpur, she also plans to expand Mauji’s geographical footprint soon, specifically hoping to launch a new cafe in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and more
Also Read: This Agra woman started The Burger Company to sell US-style burgers in small towns; clocks ₹80Cr/yr
FAQ Q.
Who is the founder of Mauji Time Cafe?
A.
Mauji Time Cafe was founded by Vandita Purohit, a Maharashtra-based first-generation serial entrepreneur and designer, in 2020.
Q.
Where is Mauji Time Cafe located?
A.
Mauji Time Cafe operates three outlets across Pune and Nagpur, with its flagship café located in Bhosale Nagar, Pune.
Q.
What does Mauji Time Cafe do?
A.
Mauji is India’s first and largest time cafe, where customers pay for the time they spend rather than for food. It offers co-working spaces, unlimited beverages, Wi-Fi, event spaces, studios, and a BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) concept.
Q.
What is the annual revenue of Mauji Time Cafe?
A.
Mauji Time Cafe generates an annual revenue of around Rs 2 Crores