Shaping the Future of ClimateTech Investing at Startup Mahakumbh

On its very first day, Startup Mahakumbh — the world’s biggest startup event — brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to drive India’s startup ecosystem forward. The day featured high-energy discussions, practical masterclasses, and bold initiative launches focused on transforming India’s energy and climate tech sector.

Defining the Next Decade of Climate Tech Investing

The Inaugural Plenary Session, titled Defining the Next Decade of Climate Tech Investing, set the tone for the day. Arpit Agarwal (Investment Partner, Blume Ventures) moderated the panel featuring Swapna Gupta (Partner, Avaana Capital) and Chirantan Patnaik (Director, Venture Capital, British International Investment). Panelists spotlighted price parity, regulatory backing, and deep tech focus as pillars of successful climate tech investing.

Swapna Gupta called for specialized funds in deep tech and sustainability. She urged investors to move beyond renewables and e-mobility and back innovation in sustainable materials, circular economy, and energy security. Chirantan Patnaik emphasized cost competitiveness for wider adoption, while Arpit Agarwal stressed the role of policy support in scaling innovation.

Innovations in Emission Reduction for Buildings

The Energy and Climate Tech Pavilion hosted a crucial panel on New Technologies Enabling Emission Reduction in Buildings. Sriram Kuchimanchi (Founder & CEO, Smarter Dharma) chaired the session, joined by Arjun P Gupta (Smart Joules Pvt. Ltd.), Dev Bhise (Q Gen-Next Sustainable Technologies), Prof. Shashank Bishnoi (IIT Delhi), and Anurag Sinha (Engineers India Limited).

Kuchimanchi warned that India’s buildings will consume nearly 40% of total energy due to rapid urbanization. Anurag Sinha noted rising client demands for high sustainability ratings. Prof. Bishnoi flagged embodied carbon issues in steel and cement. Arjun P Gupta called cooling the largest residential energy load, and Dev Bhise recommended high-heat reflectivity materials to curb this demand.

Startup Showcase: 45 Climate-Tech Trailblazers

The pavilion also showcased 45 climate-tech startups unveiling groundbreaking solutions. Lambert Technovation introduced India’s first default primary treatment reactor — a modular, chemical-free wastewater system. SatiQ, from IIT Madras, launched low-emission concrete for greener construction. UrjanovaC, based in Mumbai, demonstrated a CO2 capture system that converts carbon from industrial waste or seawater into stable mineral carbonates.

Infrastructure Push for Renewable Energy Adoption

In a session on Critical Infrastructure Development for Increased Renewable Adoption, Saurabh Kumar (Vice President-India, The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet) led a power-packed discussion. Panelists included Dr. Harsh V Sethi (TriNano Technologies), Ayush Misra (AmpereHour Energy), Sujit Nair (FIDE), and Dr. Umish Srivastva (IOCL).

Dr. Srivastva stressed the need for domestic manufacturing of renewable components to cut import dependence. Dr. Sethi argued that robust infrastructure is essential for renewable scalability. Ayush Misra urged faster implementation to meet India’s 500-gigawatt target. Sujit Nair called for an innovation-first ecosystem to scale renewables.

Day 1 Sets the Pace for Startup Mahakumbh 2025

As Day 1 wrapped up, the energy, insights, and collaborations set a powerful precedent. With more panels, networking, and big announcements lined up, Day 2 promises even more action.

Startup Mahakumbh is a first-of-its-kind mega-event uniting India’s entire startup ecosystem across sectors. The event is spearheaded by FICCI, ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM, TiE, IVCA, and Bootstrap Foundation, with backing from GEM, SIDBI, ECGC, DPIIT, and MeitY.
The second edition, returning in 2025, builds on the massive success of its inaugural run. Last year, the event drew 50,000+ visitors, showcased 3,000+ exhibitors from 26 states and 50+ countries, and hosted 1,000+ incubators, accelerators, investors, and VCs.