Six teams selected for seed funding under Carbon Zero Challenge 4.0 of IIT Madras

Each tem will receive Rs. 10 lakh to develop their prototype further

Six teams that developed eco-friendly technology for carbon zero challenge (CZC 4.0) have been selected for seed funding of up to Rs. 10 lakh each to develop their prototype further. 

The CZC was conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras along with Thales, which is involved in developing advanced technologies specialising in defence and security; aeronautics and space; and cybersecurity and digital identity.

Twenty five of the 500 teams that participated were shortlisted for the finals. The selected teams participated in a six-month programme to develop sustainable prototypes across sectors such as energy, materials, agriculture, air and water. The teams were invited to the institute to showcase their innovations at an exposition held from Oct 26 to 28. The teams were mentored on business aspects by Sustainability Mafia, a non-profit community of sustainability entrepreneurs. So far, the CZC has supported around 100 prototypes. 

Ashish Saraf, vice president and country director for India, Thales, said the collaboration is to empower young innovators across the country, address critical environmental challenges and pave way for development of impactful, resource-efficient technologies for a cleaner, greener world. Indumathi Nambi, CZC coordinator at IIT Madras said, 2,000 participants from 775 universities and 430 startups across the country participated.

From CZC’s earlier cohorts 30 startups had emerged successful and another 35 were moving to commercialisation. The participating teams had received up to Rs. 5 lakh in funding and mentorship to develop their prototypes. 

The teams that received special mention include one that develops hydrogen storage cylinders using agricultural waste; one that enables cleaner biomethane for homes and small businesses; a technology that uses high voltage pulse generators for efficient wastewater management; producing nano-cellulose from agricultural residues; transforming wind turbine blades using eco-friendly chemical and thermal processes; and manufacture of sustainable resin from plant waste.

A team that presented electrified refrigeration technology for cold logistics vehicles, highlighting their rapid traction in investment and commercialisation, received special mention. 

Published - November 28, 2024 12:42 am IST