At Energy Leap, we are driven by a profound belief—that clean hydrogen holds the key to unlocking a sustainable, decarbonised future. As Asia’s first clean hydrogen technology accelerator, Energy Leap is forging a path toward this vision by uniting industry leaders, innovative start-ups, and forward-thinking investors. We invite you to meet our inaugural cohort of brilliant start-ups engaged in driving the production of clean hydrogen across the value chain.
Xynteo’s Energy Leap team travelled across India recently to observe the ground-breaking work of our inaugural cohort of clean hydrogen pioneers. To us, this was an invaluable opportunity to see their work first-hand and discuss how we can best support commercialising their solutions, not to mention a testament to the power of collaboration and the boundless potential of human ingenuity.
We began in Hyderabad, where we had the privilege of engaging with researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Hyderabad. Our discussion with Prof. Pritha Chatterjee, Prof. Raja Banerjee, and their esteemed colleagues was insightful, offering a sneak peek into cutting-edge research and industry-academia collaborations driving clean hydrogen solutions forward. From bio-hydrogen production to flex fuel burners and hydrogen micro turbines, their work has the potential to revolutionise the way we produce and utilise clean hydrogen.
We were particularly interested in the pioneering work of Dr. Chatterjee in collaboration with Grassroots, a start-up in the Energy Leap cohort, which is developing innovative bio-hydrogen production techniques through microbial electrolysis processes. This technology harnesses the power of various waste streams, and holds immense promise for sustainable, large-scale hydrogen production, aligning perfectly with our vision of a regenerative economy.
We continued on our journey to Pune, Maharashtra, where we witnessed the entrepreneurial spirit first-hand through our interactions with the founders of Prasah—Pankaj Kumar and Upendra Paluri—and Hydrovert—Dr. Satyajit Phadke and Supriya Patwardhan.
Prasah is a fuel cell R&D company dedicated to developing fuel cells with internal combustion engines that are cost competitive. As a test case, Prasah is developing India’s first fuel cell-powered high payload drone for applications in construction, agriculture, and mining industries. The founders’ deep technical expertise in fuel cell technology and their plans to diversify into the industrial automobile segment underscore the potential of hydrogen-powered solutions in decarbonising various sectors. It was interesting to witness how the fuel cell ecosystem in Pune underpinned by organisations such as National Chemical Lab (NCL) and other large corporations is churning out entrepreneurs to solve the clean hydrogen end-use puzzle.
We were impressed with the work of Hydrovert as well—a start-up developing hydrogen fuel cell-powered stationary power generators as a clean alternative to diesel generators. This could be a promising and clean power back-up solution for built environment decarbonisation. Their innovative technology, which integrates fuel cells and batteries, also has the potential to power a wide range of mobility applications, including 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers for last-mile logistics applications.
In India’s Silicon Valley, Bengaluru, Karnataka, we interacted with the Ossus Bio-Renewables team. Ossus was founded by Dr Suruchi Rao and team, who have developed a ground-breaking technology to extract clean hydrogen from industrial effluents, offering a sustainable, on-site clean hydrogen generation solution for heavy industries such as metals, petroleum, chemical/fertilisers etc. Ossus has executed several green hydrogen production pilot projects with large steel makers and oil refineries, and has plans to scale up its clean hydrogen production capacities.
Our journey culminated in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, with a visit to Suzhiyam Industries, the winner of Energy Leap’s inaugural Innovation Challenge, where we engaged with Anand Rajeshwaran and Vivekanandan J., who are developing solid waste-to-hydrogen solutions. Their innovative approach not only addresses the pressing issue of municipal waste management but also reduces carbon emissions in the industrial sector, creating a virtuous cycle of sustainability and economic prosperity.
Throughout our journey, we were inspired by the unwavering determination, boundless creativity, and profound passion that permeated every interaction. These remarkable individuals and teams are not merely developing technologies; they are crafting solutions that will reshape the Indian energy landscape, propelling us toward a future where clean hydrogen is part of India growth story.
(Clockwise from top right) Energy Leap’s Ashay Gupta and Varun Desai with Kamar Suhail of Ossus; Dr. Pritha Chatterjee and team at IIT Hyderabad; Upenda Paluri and Pankaj Kumar of Prasah; Anand Rajeshwaran and Vivekanandan J of Suzhiyam, and Supriya Patwardhan and Satyajit Phadke of Hydrovert.
Energy Leap is honoured to play a catalytic role in supporting and amplifying these transformative endeavours. By providing grant capital, strategic mentorship, and facilitating critical market access, we aim to accelerate the commercialisation of these game-changing innovations, bridging the gap between ground-breaking ideas and real-world impact.
Our mission is fuelled by the belief that collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable progress. By fostering synergies between industry titans, agile start-ups, and visionary investors, we are cultivating an ecosystem that transcends traditional boundaries. This convergence of diverse perspectives, expertise, and resources is igniting a powerful wave of innovation, poised to reshape the energy landscape for generations to come.
To our inaugural cohort of start-ups, we extend our deepest gratitude and unwavering support. Your pioneering spirit, relentless pursuit of excellence, and unwavering commitment to a sustainable future inspire us daily.
We also call for more corporate partners to be part of Energy Leap and work together to accelerate green hydrogen adoption, pushing boundaries and unlocking new possibilities.
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Varun Desai
Senior Consultant
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