Ritesh D Ritelin, founder of the wellness startup Manzuri, has a straightforward way of describing his work: “I sell orgasms for a living.” This bold statement, made during an interview with finance influencer Sharan Hegde on the 1% Club, captures the essence of his mission—to break taboos around sex and sexual health in India.
What is brand ‘Manzuri’?
Manzuri, which means “consent” in Hindi, focuses on selling pleasure products specifically designed for women. Ritelin launched the company in 2019-2020, addressing a gap in the market where women lacked a trustworthy source for purchasing sex toys. Despite the growing demand, the Indian government’s reluctance to officially recognize sex toys forces Ritelin to market his venture as a “wellness startup” rather than a sex toy company. He acknowledges that India is perhaps a decade behind when it comes to accepting and integrating pleasure tech into mainstream wellness.
Ritelin’s efforts with Manzuri aim to destigmatize conversations around sexual wellness and normalize discussions about sex in a country where such topics are still considered taboo. His long-term vision includes addressing broader societal issues like the orgasm gap, which he links to gender inequality, underrepresentation, and patriarchy.
In addition to his work with Manzuri, Ritelin is also the founder and CEO of Porcellia, a direct-to-consumer wellness company. Financially, Ritelin has built a solid foundation. In the 1% Club interview, he disclosed that his liquid net worth is ₹1.5 crore, while his non-liquid assets are valued between ₹8.5 to ₹9.5 crore. He owns a 70% stake in Manzuri, which is valued at ₹12 crore, placing his total net worth between ₹10 to ₹12 crore.
Despite his financial success, Ritelin’s primary focus remains on his mission to democratize pleasure and challenge societal norms around sex. He is committed to closing the orgasm gap and tackling related issues, using Manzuri as a platform for change in the coming years.
