Social Alpha

Please subscribe to Social Alpha's Monthly Newsletter to learn about the developments across our portfolio, platforms, and programs. We publish it on LinkedIn every month. You can access the newsletter archives at https://lnkd.in/gvy5HxGY

Do you have the power to transform complex ideas into compelling visuals? We're seeking a Presentation Designer to join our team. This critical role will support our leadership in developing high-quality, compelling presentations that help convey our vision, progress, and strategic initiatives effectively.    𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 - Proven design expertise - Visual storytelling skills - Experience in structuring content - Aesthetic sensibility - Highly responsive to feedback - Economics/Finance Knowledge is a plus Send us your resumes at careers@socialalpha.org Apply now! Manoj Kumar | Mansi Grover #HiringAlert #ApplyNow #PresentationDesign #DataVisualisation #InvestedInImpact

Building sustainable cities requires bridging the adoption gap, aligning innovations with industry needs, and fostering cross-sector collaborations. Through the Innovations in Sustainable Urban Transition program, we are supporting start-ups developing low-carbon, climate-resilient solutions. But scaling these innovations demands deeper engagement with industry dynamics, procurement processes, and policy interventions.   On March 7th, Social Alpha, in collaboration with the University of Toronto India Foundation, brought together key stakeholders from real estate, urban infrastructure, and the start-up ecosystem to explore pathways for accelerating the adoption of technology-driven, sustainable solutions in cities.    A big thank you to our partners and participants for driving this crucial conversation. Congratulations to the innovators from our cohort: Angirus® IND | STRAWCTURE ECO | CarbonCraft | recycleX | Panjurli Labs | MedCuore Medical Solutions Private Limited | Albatross Energetics | eBik | Solinas Integrity Pvt. Ltd. | Lambert Manoj Kumar | Ganesh Neelam | Shruti Parija | Poorna R | Anusha Bhansali | Pranali Mehta | Rakesh Rajiv | Apurva Mujumdar | Gauravi Lobo | Mohan Loganathan #InvestedInImpact #SustainableCities #UrbanInnovation #ClimateAction #Startups #SocialAlpha #BuiltEnvironment #RealEstateTransformation #NetZero

#Biogas from dairy waste holds significant promise for advancing rural #circulareconomies. Yet, progress has been slower than expected—especially in deploying robust, small-scale systems that fit the needs of smallholder farmers.  Biogas technology in decentralised dairy settings can offer a powerful lever for rural circular economies, providing two benefits: - A reliable source of clean cooking fuel (improving household health and reducing reliance on firewood or expensive LPG). - A valuable bio-fertilizer that can reduce chemical fertiliser costs and enhance soil health. Nevertheless, the gap between potential and practice remains significant. Combined with on-the-ground service networks, biogas systems for smallholder dairy can move beyond pilot projects and into widespread, impactful use—ultimately transforming rural livelihoods and resource cycles in a sustainable, circular manner. Our Sustain Plus program has tried to achieve this but lacks a strong pipeline of innovations. At Social Alpha we are looking to fill the innovation and R&D gaps in this space. We are looking for: - Small-scale digesters with a robust system, including low-cost sensors, remote monitoring, and user-friendly maintenance protocols. - Streamlined digester designs that are easy to replicate and maintain with local materials and skills. - Modular systems that can be upgraded as herds grow or new communities join The design of digesters—whether fixed dome, floating drum, or more modern prefabricated units—must address local conditions (e.g., climate, water availability). Without robust, low-cost, low-maintenance designs, technology adoption stalls. Moreover, smaller digesters often produce biogas at lower pressure or with variable methane content, making it more challenging to integrate seamlessly as a cooking-fuel substitute without additional conditioning. Lastly - Biogas slurry is a valuable by-product (bio-fertilizer), but efficient collection, storage, and utilisation require specific pathways and if improperly handled, its agronomic benefits are underutilised. So, a full stack solution requires more focus on science and engineering. Focused R&D, innovative financing, and consistent policy support are crucial. Ganesh Neelam Harish Hande Smita Rakesh

Unlike mainstream investments, high impact innovations often confront multiple “valleys of death” that stall their journey from the lab to community adoption. While government funding (and small amounts of CSR/Philanthropy) can sometimes underwrite the early stages— prototypes, proofs of concept, or initial pilots—these projects often falter due to the absence of robust entrepreneurship, ecosystem support, and patient risk capital. The most expensive and critical barrier emerges at the pilot stage: even promising innovations can languish in reports and publications if they lack the strategic roadmap and full-stack support to navigate practical implementation challenges and secure customer acceptance. Sustain Plus was designed to bridge these gaps and translate pilot successes into sustainable, large-scale solutions. By offering an integrated playbook for scaling impact, SustainPlus addresses multiple obstacles—from solution validation and business model refinement to community engagement and alignment of incentives among public, private, and social stakeholders. Through this program, we have witnessed how productive use of renewable energy can transform lives in rural India—boosting agricultural yields, increasing incomes, and fortifying the resilience of entire communities. Sustain Plus’ model of tailored support, deep partnerships and on-the-ground execution ensures that these solutions do not end up as mere experiments but evolve into impactful, scalable enterprises. Programs like Sustain Plus are essential to bring impactful innovations to the development sector. They bridge the final mile between innovation and widespread impact, ensuring that communities' aspirations are met. We are deeply grateful to the IKEA Foundation for its unwavering support, which makes it possible to pioneer and refine these scale-up pathways, empowering communities to achieve tangible, life-changing outcomes. We continue to learn and explore how to develop similar playbooks for other social sector challenges, including healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, and climate change, and we look forward to partnering with more foundations interested in joining this platform and accelerating these transformative solutions. Ganesh Neelam Harish Hande Smita Rakesh Neeraj Jain Dr Kavita Singh Jolanda van Ginkel Richa Goyal Marilia Bezerra Jessica Anderen

Innovation holds the most power when it expands access, agency, and opportunity—especially for women. In this edition, we spotlight how women-led innovations are reshaping industries, from healthcare to mobility. Dr. Anchal Chandra, co-founder of bioLOCKEY Healthworks, shares how a self-administered cervical cancer screening test is breaking barriers to early detection. Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, women are rewriting the rules of mobility—driving their own e-rickshaws and building financial independence. Our partnership with National Dairy Development Board is driving clean energy and circularity in dairy farming at scale, creating sustainable solutions for millions of farmers. Meanwhile, at Impact / Failure 2025, we reflected on the urgent need for risk-tolerant capital in innovation—ensuring that breakthrough solutions in health, climate, and livelihoods receive the support they need to scale. Across agritech, sustainability, and healthcare, our start-ups continue to push boundaries and drive lasting impact. Read the latest edition and see innovation in action! You can explore our previous editions here - https://lnkd.in/gh4aF9cq To get this newsletter directly in your inbox, subscribe here – https://lnkd.in/gw6bPWVh Manoj Kumar | Ganesh Neelam | Smita Rakesh | Neeraj Jain | Dr Kavita Singh | Harish Hande #InvestedInImpact #WorkInProgress #Newsletter

Innovation has the power to change lives—but only when it reaches those it was intended for. At Social Alpha, we are committed to helping entrepreneurs build solutions that don’t just exist but are accessible, affordable, and impactful—by continuing to bridge the gap between the R&D ecosystem and markets.   Through Sustain Plus, we're scaling technology solutions that enhance livelihoods, alleviate poverty, and build climate resilience among underserved communities across India.  Manoj Kumar | Ganesh Neelam #IKEAFoundation #IWD2025 #InvestedInImpact #RenewableEnergy #WomenInAgriculture

Dr. Anchal Chandra, co-founder of bioLOCKEY Healthworks, isn’t just a scientist. She’s a woman who saw firsthand how women’s health is sidelined, and often reduced to pregnancy, childbirth, and fertility, while everything else is put on the back burner.  Did you know that until the 1990s, women weren’t even included in clinical trials? Even today, there’s barely any research on vaginal infections, menstrual health, or cervical cancer – which is the second-most common cancer among Indian women. And while testing remains uncomfortable and inaccessible, early detection continues to be a challenge for many women. But what if screening was simple? What if women didn’t have to wait or travel long distances to take control of their health? Today, on Women's Day, we speak with Dr. Chandra about what happens when women design for women. From creating a self-administered test that scans for high-risk HPV strains to rethinking how screening can fit women’s lives, this is a conversation about innovation, equity, and making cervical cancer screening truly accessible. Manoj Kumar | Smita Rakesh | Neeraj Jain | Dr Kavita Singh | Ganesh Neelam | Harish Hande #InvestedInImpact #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025

For women like Poonam, an ASHA worker in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich, mobility was never in her control – even getting to her patients meant waiting for her husband to ferry her there.  But with an e-rickshaw of her own, Poonam not only drives herself, but also drives other women to where they need to be, using transport not just as a tool for mobility, but as a means to independence and income.  And she’s not alone. Forty-four other ‘E-Rickshaw Didis’, as they’re now affectionately known around town, are now full-fledged entrepreneurs – all while ensuring safer commutes, higher earnings, and proving they’re in control of the road ahead.   Manoj Kumar | Ganesh Neelam | Harish Hande | Smita Rakesh | CInI - Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives, Tata Trusts | SELCO Foundation | Social Alpha #SustainPlus #EMobility #InvestedInImpact #WomenEntrepreneurs

"When we first find them (the startup), they are not investable. It is our job to make them investable." Catch Manoj Kumar, Founder of Social Alpha in conversation with Arvind Radhakrishnan, CFA, Head of WeWork Labs, discuss the key drivers of the social entrepreneurship space, the importance of impact investing and a whole lot more in the latest episode of Upstart by WeWork Labs. Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eC8DqWZA #WeWorkIndia #WeWork #WeWorkLabs #Podcast #StartupPodcast #IndianStartups #ImpactInvesting #Investing #Entrepreneurship