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Swapnila Milind Kawale
| Swapnila Milind Kawale | |
| |
| Born | 15 July 1982 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-founder of Out of Box Living |
| Education | M.Com, B.Com – University of Mumbai |
| Spouse | Milind Vijay Kawale |
| Awards | Kokan Idol Award (Global Kokan); Multiple Mahindra & Mahindra Employee Awards |
| Website | Official website |
Swapnila Milind Kawale (born 15 July 1982) is an Indian entrepreneur and co-founder of Out of Box Living, a company that develops sustainable, modular, and container-based architectural solutions. Her work focuses on sustainability, upcycling, and CRZ-compliant eco-resorts and infrastructure. She is known for combining environmental consciousness with modern design in hospitality and construction projects across Maharashtra.
Early life and education
Swapnila Kawale was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to Suresh Kashinath Mane and Smita Suresh Mane. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in 2003 and Master of Commerce (M.Com) in 2005 from the University of Mumbai.
Career
Early career
Kawale began her professional career in the field of accounting and finance. In 2005, she interned at J.S. Bhatia & Co. as an auditor before joining Buhler India Pvt. Ltd. in 2006, where she worked in the accounts department.
In 2007, she joined Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. in Kandivali, Mumbai, as an SAP Super User in the salary department. During her five-year tenure, she managed payroll operations for ten Mahindra group companies and led a team of eight employees. Her performance earned her multiple internal recognitions, including a rare cross-division award from Mahindra MEDDCL to a Mahindra Contech employee.
Out of Box Living
In May 2022, Swapnila co-founded Out of Box Living, a company specialising in repurposing shipping containers into modular, eco-friendly resorts, villas, classrooms, and commercial spaces. The company’s mission is to make construction more sustainable and scalable by promoting upcycling and green innovation.
Between 2022 and 2025, the company executed several landmark projects, including:
- A 10-room container resort in Alibaug featuring India’s first swimming pool made from a shipping container.
- The first Out of Box Living franchise resort in Kashid, Maharashtra.
- Two container classrooms donated to a local school in Nagaon.
- Container-based bungalows, cafés, and cloud kitchens designed with sustainability principles.
Under Kawale’s leadership, Out of Box Living emerged as an innovative force in India’s eco-resort and modular infrastructure space.
Health and wellness initiative
In 2025, Swapnila and her husband Milind Vijay Kawale launched a new venture focusing on muscle health and Pilates innovation. Their initiative aims to design and manufacture India’s first indigenously produced Pilates and muscle health machines. This project seeks to boost the country’s wellness ecosystem by promoting locally developed fitness technology for both domestic and international markets.
Achievements
- Recipient of the Kokan Idol Award by Global Kokan and Kokan Bhumi Pratisthan for contributions to sustainable entrepreneurship.
- Multiple Best Employee Awards at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. for operational excellence and leadership.
- Recognised by Buhler India Pvt. Ltd. for professional performance and contribution.
- Received inter-company recognition from Mahindra MEDDCL, a first-of-its-kind achievement.
Social work
Before her marriage, Kawale was actively involved in community service through local NGOs such as AADM. She participated in blood donation drives and post-Ganesh Visarjan beach clean-up campaigns in Mumbai. Her early involvement in environmental and social initiatives continues to influence her approach to sustainable entrepreneurship.
Personal life
Swapnila is married to Milind Vijay Kawale, a mechanical engineer and long-serving Sarpanch of Varsoli village in Alibaug, Maharashtra. The couple jointly advocate for rural development, sustainability, and wellness-focused innovation. Together, they lead initiatives that blend engineering precision with eco-conscious entrepreneurship.
See also
- Out of Box Living
- Sustainable architecture in India
- Women entrepreneurs in India