Over two dynamic days, CLIMAFIX hosted a gathering of inventive startups and forward-thinking individuals, all united by a common mission: combating climate change through technology – an Early Stage Startup Contest highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and groundbreaking ideas in climate technologies.
A contest for early stage startups was held during CLIMAFIX Summit 2023 – awards were sponsored by Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala of IITM Research Park
The event commenced with an introduction of the esteemed judging panel, comprising individuals from diverse sectors including Chandran Krishnan from Campus Angels Network, M. Subramanian from GDC, Elango Kamalasekaran from Eisqr Solutions Pvt Ltd, Ranveer Sharma from Vaillant Capital Partners, and Dr.Ramesh Kuruva from YNOS. Together, they undertook the challenging task of identifying the most promising startups among the impressive pool of participants.
After thorough deliberation, five standout startups emerged, each poised to make a significant impact in their respective fields. These startups were awarded a grant of 50,000 Rupees each to further fuel their ventures. The names of the winning startups were announced by Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, with each recipient taking the stage to share a brief overview of their innovative solutions.
The first award went to Active Buildings, represented by Abhinav Gupta, whose technology aims to address air quality issues both indoors and outdoors. Their innovative solutions have already reached millions of square feet across various spaces, showcasing their potential for widespread impact.
Next up was Aspalli Green Sustainable Ecosystem, represented by Nagaveni Aspalli, whose groundbreaking Seed Womb technology offers a new approach to rapid tree growth, offering a solution to global deforestation and climate change.
Arthro Biotech Pvt Ltd, represented by Praveen K Sappa and Vidhyadhar Reddy, showcased their insect-based technology for waste management on a large scale, with plans to expand into clean insect ingredients for pet and aqua feed, as well as biopesticides derived from insects.
Declutter Solutions, represented by Nitu Joseph, presented their social venture focused on extracting collagen from fish waste to create ultra-pure cosmetic and nutraceutical-grade products, while also offsetting carbon emissions and generating green livelihoods.
Lastly, We Shuddhi, represented by Vikash Agarwal, presented their innovative reverse vending oil machine on wheels, designed to filter impurities and water from used cooking oil, offering a sustainable solution for biodiesel processors.
The event also served as a platform to highlight the achievements of IIT Madras’ incubation cells, which have played a pivotal role in nurturing and supporting startups. With a track record of incubating over 340 companies, the incubators have become a beacon of success for budding entrepreneurs.
In his closing remarks, Prof.Ashok Jhunjhunwala emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and support for these startups, expressing a commitment to their success and offering assistance wherever possible. The event concluded with a sense of optimism and anticipation for the future of climate technology innovation.
