World Environment Day: How Startups Are Championing Sustainability?

On this World Environment Day, the global community comes together to raise awareness and take action towards creating a sustainable future. While environmental concerns have traditionally been the domain of established corporations and government initiatives, the startup ecosystem is increasingly playing a pivotal role in driving innovation and addressing pressing environmental challenges. These young and dynamic companies are not only disrupting industries but also leading the way towards a greener tomorrow. In this feature, we showcase some visionary startups that are making significant contributions to the environment and paving the path for a more sustainable world.

Aereo: Harnessing Geospatial Data for Sustainable Solutions

In the quest for sustainable practices, geospatial data has emerged as a powerful tool. Aereo, formerly known as Aarav Unmanned Systems, is at the forefront of leveraging this transformative potential. By utilizing high-resolution data and deep insights, Aereo is empowering industries to understand their surroundings better and take proactive measures. From developing watersheds to managing green cover and simulating floods, their solutions are lowering carbon footprints and making organizations climate resilient. 

“With high-resolution data and deep insights, we can understand our surroundings much better and take proactive and preventive measures. By helping develop watersheds, improving organizational efficiency, green cover management, flood simulation, and irrigation planning, we are able to drastically lower the carbon footprint and make industries climate resilient," said Vipul Singh, Co-Founder & CEO, Aereo

"Our mission is not limited to providing a service but generating an impact that can be felt by future generations. Today, we recommit ourselves to this noble cause, knowing that every drone flight, and every data point collected, is an opportunity to further this goal. Together, let us strive to be better and more vocal about these pressing concerns. With the right solutions and consistent effort, a brighter and sustainable world is well within our reach," he added.

Capital A: Prioritizing Genuine Sustainability Efforts

Capital A, a venture fund for seed to early-stage meaningful start-ups. Founded by Ankit Kedia. Capital A is a seed to an early-stage venture capital firm. Capital A has the vision to contribute to a sustainable, diverse, and meaningful startup ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders. Earlier this year, Capital A unveiled ‘Evolve’, a dedicated fund for the electric mobility ecosystem startups. The company invests in at least 8-10 companies every year with a ticket size of $50K to $500K and participates in follow-on rounds as well. Last year, the company invested in several climate-friendly companies like ChargeUp, Revamp, Cell Propulsion, and Oorja Energy.

As sustainability trends gain widespread attention, it is crucial to differentiate between superficial association and genuine commitment. 

Ankit Kedia, the Founder and Lead Investor of Capital A, highlights the need for startups to prioritize measurable and impactful Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) actions. While software solutions play a crucial role, hardware development is equally essential, especially for Deeptech products. Capital A focuses on identifying startups that contribute genuinely to sustainability and take tangible steps toward their goals. By reassessing ESG and sustainability frameworks, startups can drive a true global Greentech revolution.

Chargeup: Pioneering Sustainable Mobility with Electric Vehicles 

Chargeup is building India’s first FineTech platform (Finance-Network-Technology Platform) in the EV sector. Founded by Varun Goenka and Ankur Madan, Chargeup helps drivers by reducing their cost of ownership by providing attractive Financing and Battery-as-a-Service offerings. With its dense Network of Battery Swapping Stations and access to multi-swap points, Chargeup eliminates the issues of range anxiety and provides users the convenience of taking longer trips and earning more. Its Tech enables platform empowers a safe and reliable ride along with easy-to-use apps providing alerts and routing assistance.

The electric vehicle (EV) industry represents a paradigm shift towards a cleaner and more sustainable world. Chargeup, a visionary startup, has wholeheartedly embraced this vision by integrating ESG principles into its DNA. 

Varun Goenka, the CEO and Co-Founder of Chargeup, highlights their commitment to environmental preservation, social impact, and ethical governance. They are not only driving innovation but also reducing carbon emissions and inspiring positive change globally. By making electric mobility more accessible and convenient, Chargeup is shaping the growth of the EV industry while redefining the relationship between society, the environment, and business practices.

Motovolt Mobility: Revolutionizing Indian Automotive Landscape

Motovolt has designed and developed a connected, purpose-built e-bike platform that is ideal for the Indian markets. The system is powered by smart-EV technology and has an in-house drivetrain design. As India’s first micro-mobility EV brand with affordability, reliability, and quality as its USPs, Motovolt has introduced a range of e-bikes. Motovolt e-bikes offer the lowest TCO among all motorized personal mobility vehicles in India. These are affordable and low maintenance and can be used without registration or a vehicular license. Being EVs, these clean mobility solutions are free from the fuel price hike worries and lighter as well as more economical than high-speed electric 2-wheelers.

Recognizing the significant potential of electric vehicles in addressing environmental challenges, Motovolt Mobility is committed to revolutionizing the Indian automotive landscape. 

Tushar Choudhary, the Founder and CEO, highlights the compelling benefits of EV two-wheelers in combating air pollution and reducing carbon emissions. With zero tailpipe emissions and superior energy efficiency, EV two-wheelers contribute to cleaner air, healthier lifestyles, and a sustainable future. Their quiet and noise-free operation also enhances the quality of life in densely populated areas. Motovolt Mobility envisions a sustainable tomorrow where electric two-wheelers play a significant role in minimizing the carbon footprint.

Deshpande Startups: Nurturing Startups for a Sustainable Future

Deshpande Startups, Initiated in 2016 by Deshpande Foundation, Deshpande Startups is today India’s largest and most comprehensive platform of its kind. Recognized by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, as a Technology Business Incubator, it has supported and enabled over 450 startups (27% of which are women-led) with grants and investments worth over 25 crores. 79% of these startups stem from small towns. The startups aided by the program have generated over Rs. 250 crores in revenue, over 150 products commercialized, 82 patents filed, 65 trademarks registered, and over 3500 employment opportunities. Based in Hubli, they have a grass-roots level ground-connect and understanding of the community's needs. This ground connection has helped shape their strategy and in keeping with it, They have rolled out a systematic program and created a strong and vibrant startup ecosystem. Incubators like Deshpande Startups are playing a vital role in addressing these challenges and empowering entrepreneurs from smaller cities to thrive, thereby fostering sustainability and environmental innovation on a larger scale.

Deshpande Startups, under the guidance of the Deshpande Foundation, is dedicated to addressing the major challenges that threaten our planet's future. By carefully selecting startups with a positive environmental impact, they are fostering the growth of sustainability-focused businesses. Startups such as Carbon Craft, FluxGen, envoProtect, and FaLa are at the forefront of fighting environmental challenges and making a tangible impact. Furthermore, Deshpande Startups has launched an integrated zero waste food cluster to eradicate food waste and ensure food security. Their mission is to enable and support young entrepreneurs in their quest to protect the environment and reach net-zero targets.

Evera: Driving the Quantum Jump in Electrifying Road Fleets

This unique app-based taxi service would not only get customers from Point A to Point B but would also contribute to the greater good of the planet. It would allow users to book cabs that are all-electric. As a result, their journey would give off no emissions and would help reduce the carbon footprint one journey at a time.

With the impending dangers of pollution and climate change, the electric vehicle ecosystem must make a quantum jump in decarbonizing road fleets. 

Nimish Trivedi, the CEO and Co-Founder of Evera, emphasizes the role of electric vehicles in reducing emissions and establishing a greener future. Government initiatives, such as subsidy schemes and the establishment of EV charging infrastructure, are encouraging EV adoption. Electrifying the road fleet not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also makes communities more livable, cities greener, and people healthier. The future of mobility lies in ecologically sound road transit, and startups like Evera are leading the way.

These startups are exemplars of how the startup ecosystem can lead the nation towards a greener tomorrow. Through innovative solutions and a genuine commitment to sustainability, they are making a significant impact on environmental challenges. Whether it's harnessing geospatial data, revolutionizing mobility with electric vehicles, or nurturing startups for a sustainable future, they are driving a true global Greentech revolution. On this World Environment Day, TICE celebrate and support these startups that are not only disrupting industries but also shaping a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come.