Cutting Energy Bills with DeepTech? An Aavishkaari Entrepreneur’s Big Bet

In a world increasingly aware of climate change but often slow to act, “Net Zero” has become more than just a buzzword. Governments are committing to it, boardrooms are debating it, and investors are demanding it. But while the rhetoric around sustainability is louder than ever, the gap between ambition and action remains vast.

As industries grapple with rising energy costs and increasing pressure to meet sustainability goals, the demand for smart, scalable solutions has grown significantly. In response, some Indian startups are exploring how technologies like AI, IoT, and data-driven engineering can play a role in optimizing energy use across factories and commercial spaces.

One such example is Bengaluru-based deep tech startup Bert Labs, which is working on integrating artificial intelligence and connected sensors to help industries manage their energy consumption more efficiently. Founded by Rohit Kochar, the startup aims to address the energy-waste challenge in a way that’s both measurable and scalable.

In this exclusive conversation with TICE, Rohit Kochar, founder, and executive chairperson & CEO of Bert Labs.

The Genesis of Bert Labs

With over two decades in the global IT services industry, Kochar had seen it all—growth, stagnation, and a creeping lack of innovation. But the turning point came when he asked himself a simple question: What kind of company would I want to build for the future?

“I wanted to create a company that would have deep R&D, intellectual property, and make a meaningful difference to the world—not just for valuations, but for real impact,” he says.

Kochar initially explored opportunities in healthcare and energy, but it was his own personal struggle with controlling his home’s heating and cooling system that led him down the energy efficiency route.

“We’re always taught about energy generation and distribution, but no one focuses on consumption. That’s where the real opportunity lies. Buildings and factories are massive energy guzzlers, and they’re not smart about how they use power,” he explains.

Inside the Tech: How Bert Labs is Solving the Consumption Puzzle

Unlike most tech companies that either focus on software or offer bolt-on energy tools, Bert Labs offers a full-stack, vertically integrated AIoT (AI + IoT) platform.

Here’s how the Bert Platform Solution works:

1. Bert Devices & Sensors

Bert has developed proprietary chip-level devices that are embedded into HVAC systems, production units, or even entire buildings. These sensors capture temperature, humidity, airflow, pressure, and other critical variables in real-time.

“We couldn’t rely on off-the-shelf sensors. We had to innovate at the hardware level to get the precision our algorithms needed,” says Kochar.

2. Bert Mobility & Networking Layer

The data is transmitted via robust, wireless mesh networks that Bert Labs designed in-house. Unlike Wi-Fi-based solutions that suffer from latency and signal loss in industrial setups, Bert’s mobility layer ensures low-latency, high-reliability data transmission.

3. Bert Platform for Data Management

Once collected, data is pushed to the Bert Cloud, where millions of data points are processed and managed securely.

4. BertNova – The AI Brain

This is where the magic happens. BertNova is the core AI engine that uses physics-informed machine learning and deep neural networks to simulate, predict, and optimize the behavior of machines.

“We’re not just doing predictive analytics. We simulate the physics, chemistry, and thermodynamics of equipment in real time. That’s why our optimization is not reactive—it’s pre-emptive,” Kochar explains.

Real-World Impact: How Bert Labs is Reducing Carbon Emissions

Today, Bert Labs is working with some of India’s leading industries across pharmaceuticals, cement, airports, hospitality, and manufacturing.

Here are some examples of their tangible impact:

• At a large pharma client’s plant, Bert’s solution reduced energy consumption by 28%, saving over ₹1.2 crore annually.

• At a five-star hotel in New Delhi, Bert’s HVAC optimization reduced energy bills by 25% and cut CO₂ emissions by hundreds of tons per year.

• A major cement manufacturer now uses Bert’s solutions to monitor kiln performance, improving fuel efficiency and reducing waste.

“We’re not just helping companies cut costs; we’re making their sustainability reports look better too,” Kochar says with a smile.

From India to the World: A Global Vision

Kochar’s ambitions don’t stop at India. Bert Labs is already exploring international partnerships and aims to expand to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the US.

“The problem we’re solving is global. Energy inefficiency is not an Indian problem; it’s a human problem,” says Kochar.
“We plan to license the Bert Platform globally, enabling system integrators and OEMs to take it to every corner of the world.”

The company is targeting a billion-dollar revenue goal and is gearing up for a US IPO in the next few years.

What’s Holding India Back?

While Bert Labs is pushing the envelope, Kochar feels India’s regulatory ecosystem hasn’t caught up.

“In the US and EU, there are tax benefits, grants, and mandates that push companies to adopt sustainable tech. In India, we still see many firms doing ESG because it looks good in a presentation,” he says candidly.

He believes the missing piece is government-driven incentives and patient capital that encourages long-term innovation.

Deep Tech in India: Room to Grow

Kochar has strong views on India’s deep tech scene. While he acknowledges the growing interest, he stresses that we need more risk-takers and founders building real IP—not just apps and aggregators.

“Deep tech needs time, talent, and trust. We need to celebrate not just unicorns, but also labs, engineers, and ideas,” he says.

Bert Labs has already built over 100 proprietary solutions, with IP filings in multiple countries—a rarity for Indian startups.

The Big Picture: From Startup to Sustainable Giant

Bert Labs represents a new wave of mission-led innovation, where technology, sustainability, and profitability go hand-in-hand.

“We’re not building for today; we’re building for the next 50 years,” Kochar says.
“If we can help every building, every factory, and every city optimize its energy use, we can genuinely move the needle on climate change.”

And that’s the kind of ambition India—and the planet—needs right now.