TechnoServe India

Resourceful women play a key role in shaping communities and economies, overcoming challenges with ingenuity and resilience. TechnoServe collaborates with such women, supporting sustainable farming practices, scaling green enterprises, and spearheading change. Ahead of the International Women’s Day, we celebrate three women entrepreneurs in India from the Greenr Sustainability Accelerator Program (supported by the IKEA Foundation and Visa Foundation), who are not only advocating for themselves but also creating pathways for others in their communities while driving sustainable change. Read more about these women entrepreneurs in India in our blog: https://lnkd.in/dsJ5cHVR #GoGreenr #GreenrSustainabilityAccelerator #ClimateStartups #SustainabilitySolutions #GreenInnovation #IKEAFoundation #VisaFoundation #SustainableFuture #ClimateActionNow #GreenEntrepreneurship #TechnoServe #TechnoServeIndia #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #WomenEntrepreneurs Ajay Menon | IKEA Foundation | Visa Foundation | Sumeet Kaur | Spudnik Farms | Akanksha Priyadarshini | Monica Muthappa | Monika Shukla | Humble Bee @ Buzzworthy | Amitabh Vyas | Nivedita Rai | Karghewale | Urvashi Vishrani

Navigating the legal landscape for a green startup can feel like traversing a maze. How do you ensure your innovative solutions are built on a solid land compliant legal foundation to attract the investors and strategic partners? From complex founder agreements to intricate venture capital term sheets, the journey requires both vision and legal acumen. And a large dose of patience and perseverance. The Greenr Sustainability Accelerator Program's 2024-25 cohort recently delved deep into key legal aspects in a comprehensive two-part Virtual Masterclass on Startup Legal Frameworks, led by Amrut Joshi and Saket Rachakonda of GameChanger Law Advisors. These sessions equipped our entrepreneurs with the legal know-how to protect and scale their businesses, making them investor-ready. While Part 1 laid the groundwork with insights on key legal frameworks, including employment law and sector-specific regulatory compliance, providing practical handouts for immediate application, Part 2 focused on the intricacies of structuring venture capital transactions, demystifying term sheets, due diligence, types of securities, and definitive agreements like Share Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreements. One of the biggest takeaways was the fact that no matter how attractive the investment opportunity, deals can break down at the final leg if your house is not in order on all pre-requisite legal aspects. Given some of it takes time, get started and avoid getting caught out. #LegalFrameworks #InvestorReadiness #TechnoServe #GoGreenr #GreenrSustainabilityAccelerator #TechnoServeIndia #ClimateAction

“????, ????????'?? ?????? ???????????"?is a common question we hear when we introduce our Greenr Sustainability Accelerator Program to entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners, and even friends and family. It's understandable - why would an accelerator offer a program with no cost and no equity? But that's exactly what the Greenr Sustainability Accelerator Program by TechnoServe does! We are entirely mission-driven operating on a not-for-profit model. Supported by the IKEA Foundation and Visa Foundation, we provide green startups with: - A full-time Business Advisor - Access to green financing opportunities - A thriving community of 200+ sustainable businesses - A 60+ partner strong ecosystem of investors, technical institutes - Support with corporate & market linkages - Hands-on masterclasses & top-tier B-School training - Environmental impact assessment reports Team Greenr works with green startups that are on a mission to drive environmental action through capacity building, business modelling, GTM strategy development, access to finance, and fundraising as it aligns with the larger goal and purpose of TechnoServe. ?????? ?????????????? ???????????? ??????'?? ????????. ???????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????? ????, ??????! https://lnkd.in/dcv85H75? ? Learn more about the program here: https://www.getgreenr.org/ Ajay Menon | Akanksha Priyadarshini | Ankur Nandi | Mohammad Azhar | Amitabh Vyas | Ayan Bhattacharya | Monica Muthappa | Karan Kaushik | Urvashi Vishrani | Kishore Athota | Megha K. | Siddhant Goyal | Sarvesh Dwivedi | Sweta Dutta | Smriti Anand | Prabhu Singh Hada | Harsha Mini | Akanksha Narode | Siddhant Mukerjee | Manan Khatri | Ekta Andani | Garvita Sharma | Chanel S. #GoGreenr #TechnoServe #TechnoServeIndia #GreenrSustainabilityAccelerator #IKEAFoundation #VisaFoundation #CircularEconomy #GreenInnovation #Sustainability

From the valley to the city In 2023, four high-performing FPOs hit a milestone by setting up a stall at the World Coffee Conference (WCC) in Bengaluru. Through our program, supported by the Walmart Foundation, these FPOs launched their specialty coffee, under the brand name — ‘ADIVI.’ ‘ADIVI’, derived from the Telugu word ‘Adavi’, translates to forest or wilderness. This was an initiative to represent naturally grown coffee from indigenous tribal communities and improve their economic opportunities. Through this journey, for the first time, smallholder farmers had the chance to share their coffee on a global stage. With cupping labs set up at these FPOs, they learned to taste and understand the unique flavor profiles of their coffee. This hands-on experience helped them elevate their coffee, enhancing both its quality and marketability. At #WCC, the ADIVI stall had become a focal point of interest, drawing visitors from around the world eager to interact with farmers and experience the rich, distinctive flavors of single-origin coffee. For the farmers, this was much more than just a showcase — it was a celebration of their journey. A big thank you to institutional buyers like Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Subko Specialty Coffee Roasters, Bakehouse and Fine Cacao, Tata Coffee , SLAY Coffee, and HumbleBean Coffee who have been a part of the program. Connecting smallholder farmers with reputable brands has been instrumental in improving their quality standards, and incomes; even more so when coffee is traced back to its tribal origins thanks to TraceX Technologies. Nishant Gupta, Walmart | #TechnoServeImpact #FPO #SustainableFarming #WomenInAgriculture #WomeninCoffee #CoffeeFarmers #TribalOrigins #CuppingLabs #WorldCoffeeConference #ArakuValley #CommunityEmpowerment | Joydeep Dutt, Krishnan Hariharan, Sandesh Deranna, Devidatta Sahu, Elorika Tayal, Elaine N., Ramya Palavajjhala

“It’s safe to say that I am biased, and they are by far my favourite couple-preneurs. A perfect synchrony between a dreamer and a realist,” quips Urvashi Vishrani, Business Advisor with the Greenr Sustainability Accelerator Program, as she shares her experience about Sona and Rahul Shah, founders of Achuk. Current Class A fire extinguishers for synthetic materials like wood and paper are outdated and not very effective, leading to significant losses. Upon use, they also emit toxic fumes harmful to humans and the environment. Despite this, they remain the most widely stocked option in commercial and residential spaces, primarily due to legacy procurement systems and regulatory inertia. The widespread adoption of any new fire suppression technology is a slow and complex process, requiring rigorous testing, certification, and gradual shifts in public and institutional trust. Achuk offers a sustainable solution that quickly eliminates heat and smoke, preventing small fires from escalating. Their patented composition effectively extinguishes fires in synthetic materials while suppressing smoke without harming humans, property, or the environment - some innovation, there! It can extinguish high flame fires of up to 1100°C in 10 seconds flat! In addition, it is also certified by Nagpur Fire Service College and the Government of Goa’s Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services. Rahul, a former architect, developed the product to benefit both the environment and society. He is currently responsible for overseeing the company’s research and technology, and also leads demonstrations. Meanwhile, Sona manages intellectual property protection, manufacturing, and operations for the business. During the course of the program, Team Greenr aims to work closely with Achuk to scale sales by identifying customer segments, creating a go-to-market strategy, and establishing market linkages. The plan also includes expanding into the USA, Middle East, and Europe through certification, securing R&D funding, and building a strong sales team. "Their tireless zeal to find a solution to every problem is infectious. They learn from every mistake, leverage each other’s strengths and do not miss any opportunity to make Achuk the next big thing in the world of fire extinguishers," adds Urvashi. TechnoServe | Ajay Menon | IKEA Foundation | Visa Foundation

We're incredibly proud to share that LivNSense GreenOps Private Limited - participant of the Greenr Sustainability Accelerator Program's 2024-25 cohort - has been awarded the 'AI for Good' award at #WAICF2025 in Cannes! Heartiest congratulations to founders Priyanka Kumar and Avnish Kumar and their talented team! A revolutionary AI/ML Solution for climate action, the GreenOps? platform helps heavy industries optimize and manage GHG emissions for hard-to-abate sectors using alternative fuels, contributing directly to #SDG7 (Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for all). The award comes at a time when the company is planning its expansion in Europe, aligning with the EU's climate goals and France's focus on AI.? Know any revolutionary AI startups working on sustainability? Tag them in the comments and invite them to join our waitlist for the 2025-26 cohort: https://lnkd.in/dcv85H75 #GoGreenr #GreenrSustainabilityAccelerator #TechnoServe #TechnoServeIndia #AIforGood #ClimateTech #Decarbonization #SDG7 #ClimateAction #WAICF2025 TechnoServe | IKEA Foundation | Visa Foundation | Ajay Menon | Akanksha Priyadarshini | Monica Muthappa

Since 2019, TechnoServe, with support from the Walmart Foundation, has worked with M. Nittaputtu — a high-performing farmer-producer organization (FPO) that has transformed into a sustainable, market-driven enterprise. When we started working in Andhra Pradesh, tribal smallholder farmers would fetch prices well below the market value for their coffee.?Through agronomy trainings, governance strengthening, access to markets & finance, and post-harvest management practices, Nittaputtu has been able to drastically improve the quality of their coffee. From picking the right cherries to doorstep procurement from smallholder farmers, and state-of-the-art processing infrastructure like eco-friendly wet mills, drying yards, and cupping labs, the FPC now has revenues exceeding Rs. 2 Crores. The impact has been clear — better quality coffee, fair and transparent pricing, and improved market access with institutional buyers & renowned brands. In 2022, under the leadership of Vijaya and the Board of Directors of the FPC, Nittaputtu was awarded the 'Best Organic Business FPO Award' at the Jaivik India Awards. At TechnoServe, we believe in the power of collective agency to enable sustainable livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The story of Nittaputtu is a shining example. With the start of this year’s coffee procurement season, stay tuned for more such stories from the farmers who grow it. Nishant Gupta, Walmart | #TechnoServeImpact #FPO #SustainableFarming #WomenInAgriculture #WomeninCoffee #CoffeeFarmers #ArakuValley #CommunityEmpowerment | Joydeep Dutt, Krishnan Hariharan, Sandesh Deranna, Devidatta Sahu, Elorika Tayal, Elaine N., Ramya Palavajjhala

Communicating the value of a green startup can be tough. How do you effectively share your impact and vision with investors and a larger audience? While investors are looking to strike gold, the larger audience is seeking value-for-money solutions - how do you balance the two? The Greenr Sustainability Accelerator Program's 2024-25 cohort tackled this challenge head-on in a dynamic masterclass on Storytelling led by Ravishankar Iyer founder of StoryRules. Over two sessions, the startups learned the art of building a narrative and received personalized feedback from Ravi for their mock pitches, equipping them to share their stories more effectively. Some key learnings from the sessions were how to effectively transform complex data into captivating audio/visual stories, and strategically utilizing micro and macro narratives to emphasize key points to hold the audience’s attention. A heartfelt thanks to Ravi for the brutally honest sessions resulting in invaluable insights that helped our businesses learn the art of weaving a story around the impact of their green businesses. TechnoServe | IKEA Foundation | Visa Foundation #GoGreenr #TechnoServe #TechnoServeIndia #GreenrSustainabilityAccelerator #IKEAFoundation #VisaFoundation #CircularEconomy #GreenInnovation #Sustainability

"I've never tasted mint like this!" exclaimed Megha K., Business Advisor with the Greenr Sustainability Accelerator Program, after visiting Radongrow Pvt Ltd.'s Surat facility. Declining soil quality, water scarcity, and limited access to organic produce are driving a critical food shortage. Radongrow is tackling this challenge head-on. They specialize in affordable, high-tech vertical aeroponic and hydroponic farming, offering turnkey installations, exporting vertical farms, and creating advanced home garden systems. Growing pesticide-free herbs, fruits, and vegetables, they provide a cost-effective alternative to global competitors. Their systems optimize space, reduce water usage by up to 90%, and mitigate the effects of adverse weather, ensuring a reliable supply of organic food. Growing up to 200,000 plants per acre, their advanced aeroponic technology yields 2.5 times more produce than traditional NFT systems. Nutrition is surfacing as a key challenge for our future. This includes?ensuring food security amidst climate change, addressing food waste, promoting food literacy to combat nutritional inequities, and developing sustainable food production methods to feed a growing global population. It is promising to see businesses like Radongrow leverage innovation to solve for nutrition. They aim to help regions with challenging climates achieve produce self-sufficiency. They're currently seeking support to expand their network of institutional/international buyers and raise funding. As part of its advisory, the Greenr team will focus on helping Radongrow expand globally, establishing sales channels, along with supporting their plan to manufacture cocopeat discs for their soilless systems, further reducing costs and creating a new revenue stream. The TechnoServe Greenr team will also play a key role in helping them secure funding and develop B2B channels in the Middle East. Megha's experience tasting Radongrow's organic mint, French beans, and flat beans highlights the exceptional quality and taste achieved through pesticide-free farming. IKEA Foundation | Visa Foundation | Ajay Menon | Akanksha Priyadarshini | Rajanikant Sadhani #GoGreenr #TechnoServe #TechnoServeIndia #GreenrSustainabilityAccelerator #IKEAFoundation #VisaFoundation #WeWork #CircularEconomy #GreenInnovation #Sustainability #HydroponicFarming #AeroponicFarming #FoodSecurity

Congratulations to LivNSense GreenOps Private Limited, a participant in the Greenr Sustainability Accelerator Program's 2024-25 cohort, for being selected as one of the Top 10 Finalists at the Cannes Neurons Awards 2025! LivNSense is focusing on achieving net-zero carbon through AI and Digital Twin technologies. The company stands out by managing GHG emissions for "hard-to-abate" sectors using its patented GreenOps? platform. Wishing them the best for what's to come! Priyanka Kumar | TechnoServe | IKEA Foundation | Visa Foundation | Ajay Menon | Akanksha Priyadarshini | Monica Muthappa