In 2024, Energy Leap emerged as a powerful catalyst for India’s clean energy innovation ecosystem, establishing itself as a transformative force in the journey toward a sustainable energy future. Our mission is clear: to accelerate the production and consumption of clean hydrogen in India through the rapid adoption of scalable technologies.
The journey of this platform has been marked by remarkable momentum. As we continue to build a vibrant ecosystem for nurturing and accelerating clean hydrogen innovations, our growing platform now includes 12 pioneering technology companies at the forefront of India’s clean hydrogen innovation, supported by diverse partner organizations.
Empowering Innovators Across the Value Chain
We are dedicated to empowering innovators by helping them unlock new market opportunities and secure vital investments. Our support spans the entire innovation spectrum—from cutting-edge electrolysers and fuel cells, to bio-catalysts and end-use applications such as drones and power generators.
The diversity of our cohort demonstrates our commitment to fostering innovation across the entire hydrogen value chain. Our portfolio of 12 innovative startups—including Prasah, Hydrovert, Suzhiyam Industries, Ossus Bio-Renewables, Grassroots Energy, Hycell Engage, AqGas, Gudlyf Mobility, H2C0, BioVikas, SunGreenH2, and SBES Technologies—represents breakthrough solutions in key areas:
- Production technologies from diverse sources including biomass, waste streams, and water electrolysis
- Storage and transport innovations enhancing the viability of hydrogen mobility
- End-use applications from industrial heat processes to drone technology
- Fuel cell technology making hydrogen more accessible across various applications
A Vital Partnership Ecosystem
Our network continues to grow stronger with the addition of partners that complement our existing collaborations. This expanding ecosystem exemplifies the power of collective action in accelerating the clean energy transition.
Our collaborative approach brings together three essential categories of partners:
- Lead partners (SED Fund and Technip Energies) provide essential resources and strategic support, ensuring startups have both funding and technical expertise. Their global perspective and industry experience help translate groundbreaking ideas into real-world solutions.
- Strategic partners (Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad, NASSCOM Deep Tech) create a thriving ecosystem by facilitating connections with industry leaders, government bodies, and potential clients. They offer strategic mentorship, market insights, and access to networks that help startups navigate challenges and scale effectively.
- Ecosystem partners (IIT Madras-Energy Consortium, IIT Hyderabad, Energy Systems Catapult, Ankur Capital, Transition VC) bring together academic expertise, cutting-edge research, and industry knowledge. They provide critical early-stage support and platforms for startups to engage with investors, researchers, and potential customers.
Driving Impact Through Collaborative Action
The impact of our collaborative efforts is already evident. Through extensive outreach to over 50 organizations across industry, investors, policy and government sectors, we have built a robust network for technology acceleration. Our work has catalyzed several technology commercialization opportunities and built an investment pipeline exceeding US$30 million.
So what’s in it for businesses? The clean hydrogen market represents not just an environmental imperative but a significant commercial opportunity. By participating in Energy Leap’s ecosystem, organizations gain:
- Early access to breakthrough technologies
- Risk mitigation through collaborative pilot projects
- Strategic positioning in the rapidly evolving clean energy landscape
- Enhanced ESG credentials and competitive differentiation
- Connection to a diverse network spanning academia, industry, and investment communities
Our Programmatic Approach: How We Drive Innovation
Energy Leap’s success is driven by our three-pronged programmatic approach:
- Innovation Challenge: We discover early-stage innovations (TRL ≤6) solving critical value chain challenges, providing grant capital and business mentoring support. This de-risks the earliest stage of innovation where traditional funding is scarce, nurturing ideas that might otherwise struggle to reach commercialization.
- Growth Accelerator: Our flagship program connects technology companies with industry and investor partners, creating a structured environment for collaboration and technical validation. This addresses the critical “valley of death” between proof-of-concept and commercial deployment, reducing time-to-market for essential solutions.
- Project Conceptualization: We collaborate with leading industry partners to design pioneering projects, creating real-world applications for emerging technologies. These initiatives provide crucial pathways for both industries seeking to decarbonize and technology companies looking to validate solutions at scale.
A Vision for Tomorrow
As we look to the future, Energy Leap remains committed to driving systemic change in India’s energy landscape. Our vision extends beyond technological advancement to encompass broader societal impact—strengthening rural economies, mitigating climate change, enhancing energy security, and positioning India as a global leader in the clean hydrogen revolution.
The clean hydrogen economy represents a paradigm shift in how we produce, store, and utilize energy. For India, it offers a pathway to energy independence, reduced emissions, and economic growth through innovation. Energy Leap stands at the intersection of these opportunities, serving as both architect and enabler of this transformation.
The momentum we’ve built in 2024 is just the beginning. With each new partnership formed and each innovative solution scaled, we move closer to our goal of accelerating India’s transition to a sustainable, hydrogen-powered future. We invite forward-thinking organizations to join us in this journey—to collaborate, innovate, and lead in creating the energy systems of tomorrow.
This article first appeared in Industrial Cogeneration India Newsletter, April to June 2025 issue
Varun Desai
Manager, Xynteo
Bhaskar Jha
Consultant, Xynteo
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