How India’s green startups are leading the way in sustainability

As India embraces the age-old wisdom of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and embraces the concept of a united global family, its actions to promote peace and environmental stewardship resonate globally. As the world celebrates Earth Day 2024, the spotlight extends beyond established companies and government agencies to include the critical role startups play in driving environmental innovation. Leveraging geospatial data and championing true sustainability initiatives, these agile companies are at the forefront of efforts that promise a greener, more resilient future. So here we bring our

Aereo: mapping a sustainable future

Formerly known as Aarav Unmanned Systems, Aereo is revolutionizing environmental conservation through geospatial data. By leveraging high-resolution data and deep insights, Aereo enables industries to proactively understand and protect their environments. From watershed development to flood simulation, their innovative solutions not only reduce carbon footprints but also increase organizational resilience to climate change.

“By leveraging high-resolution data and deep insights, we can proactively better understand our environment and take preventative measures,” said Vipul Singh, co-founder and CEO of Aereo. “Our mission goes beyond providing a service; it’s about creating a lasting impact for future generations. Let’s strive together for a greener and more sustainable world.”

Capital A: Investing in Green Innovation

Capital A, founded by Ankit Kedia, is driving a true Greentech revolution. Through initiatives such as ‘Evolve’, a special fund for startups in the electric mobility sector, Capital A invests in companies committed to environmental conservation and social impact. By reevaluating ESG frameworks, startups can catalyze meaningful change and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.

Chargeup: making sustainable mobility possible

Chargeup, India’s first FineTech platform in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, is at the forefront of sustainable mobility. With attractive financing and Battery-as-a-Service solutions, Chargeup makes EV ownership more accessible and addresses range anxiety with a dense network of battery swapping stations. Varun Goenka, CEO and co-founder, highlights their commitment to environmental conservation and ethical governance.

Motovolt mobility: redefining urban transport

Motovolt Mobility is transforming the Indian automotive sector with connected e-bikes tailored to the urban market. By promoting electric two-wheelers as clean mobility solutions, Motovolt fights air pollution and reduces CO2 emissions. Founder and CEO Tushar Choudhary underlines the environmental benefits of EV two-wheelers and their role in creating sustainable urban transportation systems.

Deshpande Startups: Incubating Environmental Innovation

Deshpande Startups, India’s largest Technology Business Incubator, nurtures startups for a sustainable future. By supporting companies like Carbon Craft, FluxGen and envoProtect, Deshpande Startups drives environmental innovation and fosters a vibrant startup ecosystem. Through initiatives such as the integrated zero waste food cluster, they are working towards a net-zero future and empowering young entrepreneurs to protect the environment.

Evera: a revolution in road transport

Evera, an innovative app-based taxi service, promotes sustainable mobility by offering fully electric taxi rides. By eliminating emissions from conventional vehicles, Evera reduces its carbon footprint and creates healthier communities. CEO and co-founder Nimish Trivedi highlights the role of electric vehicles in the fight against climate change and emphasizes the importance of government support and growing EV infrastructure.

Carbon Clean Solutions: Carbon Capture Innovators

Founded in 2009, Carbon Clean Solutions (CCS) is a Mumbai-based startup dedicated to advancing carbon capture and utilization technologies. With a focus on solvent-based innovation, CCS captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and converts them into valuable raw materials such as fertilizers and chemicals. Its technology has been effectively deployed in various sectors, such as cement, steel and oil and gas, and has helped reduce CO2 emissions by more than one million tonnes.

BluSmart: eco-friendly revolution in commuting

BluSmart, headquartered in Delhi, offers eco-friendly and cost-effective ride sharing services. BluSmart has a fleet of electric vehicles and significantly reduces CO2 emissions and air pollution. Equipped with advanced safety features such as GPS tracking and facial recognition, BluSmart ensures safe and convenient transportation.

Waste ventures: Tackling waste head-on

Waste Ventures India is a social enterprise tackling India’s waste management crisis and working with local communities to build waste management systems. By providing employment to waste pickers and offering waste separation and recycling services, Waste Ventures India reduces the use of landfills.

Smarter Dharma: Sustainability in Everyday Objects

In Bangalore, Smarter Dharma is a pioneer in sustainable and eco-friendly products made from natural and biodegradable materials such as bamboo, cotton and jute. Their product range includes stationery, packaging materials and home decor items, reducing the carbon footprint of conventional alternatives.

Project potential: empowering farmers, feeding communities

Based in Chennai, Project Potential promotes sustainable agriculture and food systems by providing training and support to farmers. Through initiatives such as organic farming, agroforestry and conservation agriculture, Project Potential facilitates access to markets for sustainably produced goods, promoting a mutually beneficial food ecosystem.

Greenway appliances: green solutions for kitchen life

Greenway Appliances strives for a sustainable future through the production of affordable, environmentally friendly kitchen appliances. Their cooking stoves, which use 65% less fuel than traditional options, reduce indoor air pollution and improve household health. In addition, Greenway offers solar powered devices for areas where there is no access to electricity.

Terracycle: a revolution in recycling

Terracycle is an advocate of recycling and upcycling of waste materials and strives to create a circular economy in which waste is reused. With recycling programs tailored to challenging materials such as cigarette butts and snack packaging, Terracycle works with leading brands to improve packaging sustainability and product design.

Electrifying urban transport

Ather Energy is a pioneer in sustainable mobility with its electric scooters, especially the powerful Ather 450X. Offering competitive speed and acceleration, the Ather 450X offers a range of 85 km on a single charge, with a fast charge to 80% in just 50 minutes. Ather is also setting up a network of charging stations to support electric scooter users.

Phool.co: Thriving Sustainability

Phool.co aims to promote sustainability by using temple waste flowers to make incense sticks and other products. By reusing temple waste, Phool.co not only reduces waste generation but also provides livelihood to rural women through its innovative product line.

Urgency and innovation: India’s response to the climate crisis

Climate change poses a huge challenge to India, threatening the fabric of its diverse ecosystems and livelihoods. As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more common, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. However, amid this crisis, a beacon of hope emerges as the government, startups and NGOs join forces to combat the harmful effects of climate change. Through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Swachh Bharat Mission, India is taking steps towards a sustainable future. The recent commitments made at COP26 underline India’s commitment to environmental stewardship, with ambitious targets to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. The rapidly growing climate technology sector is a further illustration of India’s commitment to innovation in tackling the climate crisis, attracting investors and driving meaningful impact. As the country charts its course toward a greener future, the collective efforts of all stakeholders are critical to mitigating the profound impacts of climate change for generations to come.As we celebrate World Earth Day, let’s applaud these visionary startups that are not only disrupting industries but also championing sustainability and innovation. Let’s build a greener and more sustainable world for everyone together.