INKtalks

From Waste to Wonder: How INK Fellow Tarun Jami is Transforming Construction with Carbon-Negative Concrete #ConcreteRevolution #CarbonNeutralConstruction #EcoInnovation #INKFellows #INKtalks Concrete is choking the planet. Every home, office, and highway constructed with traditional cement-based materials releases more carbon than all cars on the road—more even than the aviation industry! INK Fellow Tarun Jami, a civil engineer, could not ignore this reality. "We're quite literally building our way into climate catastrophe," he warns. Determined to tackle one of the planet's biggest climate challenges, Tarun founded GreenJams, a company focused on creating Agrocrete—the world's first carbon-negative bio-concrete. When Tarun launched GreenJams in 2019, his goal was ambitious: to cut 10% of global CO₂ emissions by revolutionizing the building industry. "Buildings account for up to 50% of emissions in some countries. We need to change what we use to build," he says. GreenJams' flagship product, Agrocrete, is a game-changer. Unlike conventional concrete, which releases significant CO₂ during production, Agrocrete captures more carbon than it emits. "We lock away carbon inside the material, reversing climate damage," explains Tarun. Agrocrete is also 40% lighter than standard concrete, has excellent thermal insulation, and even performs better in earthquakes. It is made using agricultural waste, like paddy straw and sugarcane bagasse, that would otherwise be burned or left to decompose. Developing Agrocrete took years of research. "I had to solve the problem of strength and durability while keeping the material lightweight and carbon negative," he recalls. Localized Manufacturing GreenJams' mission goes beyond environmental impact. With factories in Vizag and Goa, and another planned in Bengaluru, the company sources agricultural waste locally to minimize transportation emissions, benefiting farmers and industries. Tarun emphasizes the importance of decentralizing production: "For every 300 km radius, we set up a local manufacturing unit to meet construction needs sustainably." This process has already reduced CO₂ emissions by three tons annually. Now focused on scaling, GreenJams is raising $2 million to build more factories. "We've proven Agrocrete works. Now we need investment to grow," Tarun says. GreenJams is working with early adopters like ITC, Infosys, and Amazon, who are eager to embrace sustainability in their building projects. For his innovations, Tarun was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree and featured by the World Economic Forum's Circular Accelerator program. "India is innovation-friendly, and we're making progress. I know we can have a global impact," he says. "This isn't just about better materials—it's about a future where people and the planet thrive." Watch Tarun’s INKTalk at https://lnkd.in/gn6bCrMv Lakshmi Pratury Dee Vardhan Sharma Nandini Ashok INKtalks

From Tech to Table: How INK Fellow Abhay Singh is Revolutionizing Sustainable Agriculture #SmartFarms #IoTInAgriculture #WomenInFarming INK Fellow Abhay Singh's journey from robotics enthusiast to agricultural innovator began with a simple realization: to feed the world sustainably in the face of climate change, we must grow more with less. In 2018, Abhay and co-founder Amit left behind lucrative tech jobs and dived into agriculture, a world they had little experience of. "We didn't want to build technology for the sake of it anymore, but create something that mattered," Abhay recalls. Their research revealed a pattern: throughout history, wars have been fought over food, water, and land. "It all came back to basic necessities. We had to figure out how to grow food without depleting our resources." This vision birthed Eeki Farms, a revolutionary approach to farming using patented growing chambers. The chambers create an ideal environment for plant growth in nutrient-rich water, succeeding even in the harshest environments like the arid lands of Rajasthan, where temperatures soar to 50C. Eeki's farms create local water reservoirs, cut water usage by 80%, and eliminate poisonous pesticides, offering vegetables delivered within 24 hours of harvest. Eeki Farms operates 70 acres of six IoT-enabled smart farms, ensuring year-round crop production. Sensors continually record environmental parameters like temperature and humidity, sending the data to a central system that controls cooling systems and water valves, optimizing crop conditions. The farms have saved 400,000 liters of water and reduced fertilizer use by 13 tons, cutting CO₂ emissions by up to three tons annually. Today, Eeki Farms has a team of 500, 98% of whom are women from surrounding villages. "The women farmers have an unmatched ability to nurture crops," Abhay says. "Their care and attention to detail have been crucial to our success. It's rewarding to see them not only grow crops but grow in confidence as they become key contributors to their communities." This community impact is key to Abhay's vision. The journey has been challenging, but Abhay credits the INK Fellowship with providing valuable support and helping develop strategic connections. "Being an INK Fellow connected me with brilliant people striving to make a real impact," Abhay says. "It's inspiring to be part of a community looking beyond profit, giving us the confidence that we're not alone." Eeki Farms is now expanding and scaling operations across India and into the Middle East, replicating its model in regions like Oman. It has earned the "Sustainability Champion" title at the National Startup Awards 2023 and was named "Climate Warriors" at the Forbes India Leadership Awards 2024. As Abhay says, "This is more than a business—it's our way of ensuring a future where people find sustainable ways to coexist with the environment." Watch Abhay's INKtalks at https://lnkd.in/ga8jnK9d

From Nanotubes to Space: INK Fellow Gadhadar Reddy's Innovation Odyssey Takes Off From the microscopic world of nanotechnology to the vast expanse of space, Dr. Gadhadar Reddy is blazing a trail of innovation. His work at NoPo Nanotechnologies has led to revolutionary advancements in water purification, medical diagnostics, electronics, and electric batteries powered by the extraordinary potential of nanotubes. Founded in 2011, NoPo recently closed Round 1 of venture capital funding for $3M from notable investors led by Micelio (Axilor) and Inflexor. It is now set to expand its Bengaluru factory to manufacture nanotubes for a number of transformative applications. "I named my company NoPo as a tongue-in-cheek rebuttal of the phrase 'Not Possible.' I like to take on the impossible," Gadhadar says. Gadhadar's ambitions don't stop with planet Earth. Now, he's turning his gaze to the stars. His latest venture, Vrisva, leverages advances in nanotechnology to create lighter, stronger spacecraft. Revolutionary Applications of Nanotubes Gadhadar Reddy is so much more than a nerdy, brilliant scientist. He's a visionary entrepreneur. Convinced that nanotubes—those unimaginably small cylinders of carbon atoms—could revolutionize the world, Gadhadar and his team embarked on a quest to harness their power. Their first breakthrough came in water purification. Inspired by nature's aquaporins, they created membranes that mimicked this natural process, allowing water molecules to flow through with unprecedented efficiency. This innovation holds the promise of solving one of the world's most pressing challenges: access to clean water. From Semiconductors to Lithium Batteries But Gadhadar's ambitions were far from quenched. He saw the potential of nanotubes in electronics, a realm where size is everything. "We have been working with partners to take a 40x40-nanometer structure and shrink it to just 1x10 nanometer with the nanotubes," he explains. With meticulous precision, his team has developed and consistently produces nanotubes of exact dimensions, a feat no one else has achieved. These tiny structures are the building blocks for the next generation of chips, promising faster, more powerful computers. Yet another application is in lithium batteries. NoPo's single-walled nanotubes help significantly increase the capacity of lithium batteries. "Today we're one of a handful of suppliers for this material and there is huge demand," Gadhadar notes. Medical Diagnostics and Cancer Treatment Gadhadar's nanotubes promise to revolutionize medical diagnostics as well. When fed into the human body and illuminated with infrared light, these nanotubes act as beacons, highlighting cancer cells with unparalleled accuracy. This discovery has opened doors to new cancer treatments. Continue reading..... Watch Gadhadar's INKtalk https://lnkd.in/ggtxn5YD INKtalks Lakshmi Pratury Dee Vardhan Sharma #Nanotech #SpaceTech #Entrepreneurship #TechForGood #INKFellows

INK Fellow Sachin Malhan: Driving Innovation in Justice, One Partnership at a Time Sachin Malhan, co-founder of Agami (agami.in), an ecosystem fostering innovation for equitable justice in India, navigates the world with insatiable curiosity and a refusal to be pigeonholed. For Sachin, life is a journey of exploration and creation, though he distances himself from the label of a serial entrepreneur. "I try to sample life as broadly as I possibly can," he explains. An INK Fellow from the first cohort in 2010, Sachin does not conform to a singular path, finding value in an eclectic mix of influences and ideas. "We tend to become siloed," he observes. "But when you extend your range of experiences and draw from many sources, it yields extraordinary results. This diversity is what drew me to INKtalks—the kaleidoscope of innovators and experiences that showcases." Sachin's first venture, Law School Tutorials, was a test prep platform for law schools. Precious learnings followed as he visited nearly 50 tier 1, 2, and 3 cities in the early 2000s. "So many students, especially from rural areas, dreamed of law school but lacked the resources," he recalls. "Others needed people to believe in their potential. So this became more than a business; empowering them and being a friend to them became as integral to my work as the tutorials." By the time Agami was founded, Sachin had learned that solving complex problems requires collaborative effort and diverse actors working within a trusting and creative ecosystem. "A central principle of Agami is taking responsibility for the future. That's what Agami Karma is all about—your actions today have consequences for the future." ✨Revolutionizing the Legal System Innovation in the justice sector has been scant. Agami's mission is to change this. It has worked to catalyse the world's largest 🌐Online Dispute Resolution ecosystem, resolving millions of disputes efficiently. This ecosystem has been supported by the judiciary and government bodies, leading to a surge in ODR startups. Agami has successfully stewarded efforts for the digital transformation of courts and the collaborative initiative it leads, PUCAR, is developing solutions such as⚖️virtual court designs that reimagine how common disputes can be resolved. Its OpenNyai mission is building a community of legal professionals and data scientists to safely harness 🤖AI for Justice. Sachin's positivity is infectious. As an entrepreneur, his belief in the power of genuine human connection is at the core of every venture. "It is essential, as an individual and in your work, to be present and value the people around you," he explains. For Malhan, success isn't measured solely by financial metrics. "I've always wanted to do work that transforms lives," he says. "I wish that for everyone—a sense of joy in how creative your work can be and how it impacts others."

Making the Invisible Visible: INK Fellow Vicky Roy's Photos Help Mainstream People with Disabilities #DisabilityInclusion #INKtalks #INKFellows Over 1 billion people globally, a staggering 15% of the population, live with a disability. In India, reliable data on this segment remains elusive. Yet, it's clear: preconceived notions often exclude people with disabilities from the workforce. Not only does this take a heavy toll on their mental and physical well-being, it also costs developing countries nearly 3-7% of GDP (ILO). Photographer and INK Fellow Vicky Roy is on a mission to change this, one powerful image at a time. Supported by the India Inclusion Foundation (IIF), Vicky has traversed all 28 Indian states and 8 UTs, capturing the struggles and triumphs of individuals with disabilities, particularly in rural areas where resources are scarce. Vicky spends days with his subjects, documenting their daily lives. IIF's volunteers then write and translate these stories into multiple languages and post them on https://lnkd.in/gn9wFTFx. So far, Vicky has immortalized 195 stories. His work is beginning to spark action. "People reach out to support," he explains. "I've connected at least 25 prople with donors. It may not seem much right now, but at least society is learning about the challenges." From Ragpicker to Acclaimed Photographer Vicky's own story mirrors the resilience of his subjects. At 11, he ran away from home in West Bengal, seeking a better life. Instead, he ended up picking rags at Delhi's railway station. A pivotal turn came when the Salaam Balak Trust took him in, offering shelter and education. It was there, during a photography workshop, that he discovered his passion. Vicky's talent has been showcased at prestigious venues like the Kochi Muziris Biennale and Houston FotoFest Biennial. His dedication was recognized by Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 in 2016. INK Fellowship: Catalyst for Change The 2012 INK Fellowship was another pivotal moment for Vicky. "I gained so much exposure through INK," he shares. "The Fellows U.S. Roadshow was amazing for me. The MIT Fellowship I received in 2014 was also with the support of INK and Lakshmi Pratury Ma'am. Even now, INK continues to connect me with new opportunities." It was the INK community that connected IIF Founder Ferose V R and Vicky in 2013. This serendipitous meeting led to their collaboration in 2020, launching the "Everyone is Good at Something" (EGS) photo campaign to mainstream disability inclusion. "The EGS is one of our longest-running campaigns, made possible by individuals like Vicky Roy, who has dedicated himself to bringing to life the stories of unsung heroes with disabilities," says Ferose. Vicky's upcoming book, a compilation of the uplifitng images he has gathered, promises to be yet another powerful force for inclusion. "I do not have money to offer, but I contribute my time and effort," he says. Watch Vicky's INKtalks at https://lnkd.in/gvxvE3PZ

ELCIA Tech Summit 2024 reaches a pinnacle of meaningful conversations this lovely Friday. In a candid chat, Mr Mohandas Pai (ARIN CAPITAL & INVESTMENT CORP.) and Ms Lakshmi Pratury (CEO, INKtalks) on “Bangalore Paradigm”. #elciatechsummit #elcia #humansmachinesandlearning #techsummit #techtalks #deeptech #aiandml #robotics

Piercing the Silence: INK Fellows Raman & Lakshmanam File US Patent for Affordable Hearing Tech Imagine a world where millions suffering from congenital hearing loss regain the gift of sound – not through expensive surgery, but with a comfortable, affordable device. This isn't science fiction, but the inspiring innovation offered by INK Fellows Raman and Lakshmanan, co-founders of Backyard Creators. Their story begins with a dream: to create a non-invasive, affordable hearing device that could transform lives. "We thought of doing this when we met the parents of a young boy with impaired hearing in a village close to Madurai. They had to sell their ancestral property just to afford hearing implant treatment," recounts Raman. The dream found fertile ground when the twins were selected for the prestigious 2023 INK Fellows Program, providing them with mentorship, resources, and a platform to showcase their innovation. Unlike traditional implant devices, which can pose problems such as limitations on taking MRIs or participating in adventure sports, the device is placed behind the ear. The turning point came at the 2023 INK Conference in Bengaluru. Raman and Lakshmanam's captivating presentation caught the attention of Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint MD of Apollo Hospitals Group, who was also speaking at the conference. Impressed by the work, Dr. Reddy connected them with the Apollo Research Institute, opening doors to crucial collaboration and support. "Our participation in the INK Conference 2023 marked a pivotal moment in our startup journey. We are profoundly grateful for the transformative impact of the INK Conference and the unwavering support from Apollo Hospitals and Apollo Research Institute," says Lakshmanan. Since then, the two have achieved exciting milestones: ~ They were chosen as one of seven winners from among 1200 applicants for the Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development Program 2023-24, receiving a grant and technical mentorship. ~ Zee, a major media network, featured their innovation on their "Puthiya India Oru Porkalam" program, propelling them onto the national stage. ~ Their innovation earned the recognition of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, facilitating support from the National Health Mission. This includes support for pilot studies across Tamil Nadu. But the most exciting milestone? They've filed for a US Patent, an important step on the way to scale. Raman and Lakshmanam's journey is a testament to the impact of nurturing innovation and fostering collaboration. With the support of INK and its network of mentors and partners, their life-changing device is no longer a dream – it is on the cusp of becoming a reality that will transform countless lives. Watch Raman and Lakshmanam's inspiring INKtalk: https://lnkd.in/gsvMNw92 #INKFellows #HearingDevice #TechForGood #LifeChanging #AffordableHealthcare Raman R Lakshmanan R Lakshmi Pratury Dee Vardhan Sharma Nandini Ashok INKtalks