Climate-tech is a theme; not a sector

- Exploring the career trajectory of Sancheeta Kaushal, ex-EM, Blinkit

Meet Sancheeta Kaushal , a dynamic product leader whose career has spanned engineering, leadership roles at fast-growing start-ups like Blinkit . Most known for her 7-year tenure at Blinkit (formerly Grofers), Sancheeta was an early pioneer in India's ultra-fast delivery space.

As one of Blinkit's first employees, Sancheeta advanced from intern to engineering manager, playing an instrumental role in scaling its operations. Her problem solving capacity and technical expertise powered data-driven decisions during Blinkit’s hyper growth phases.

Now pursuing her passion for sustainability, she has recently established the ClimateTechCollective - an open source community empowering professionals to upskill and transition into climate-focused roles.

In this exclusive one on one with her, Sancheeta traces her journey from college in Himachal Pradesh to leading engineering teams at breakout startups. Sancheeta also provides an inside look at Blinkit's innovative path to 10-minute delivery, her passion in mentoring and her motivations for pivoting into climate tech. She discusses frameworks for startups to operate sustainably and the huge potential she sees in emerging climate solutions for India.

Hi Sancheeta! Let’s start from the very beginning. You joined Blinkit as an intern back in 2015 when it was still in its fledgling/ dawning phase . What sparked the interest to choose a high-risk, high-growth environment like Blinkit so early in your career when many others focused on large, stable companies? How did your background and exposure shape your thinking to explore start-ups over traditional routes?

Firstly, I was fortunate to have exposure to the start-up world in the early days of my college itself. I was studying computer science at Jaypee University, which was quite progressive and tech-focused for its time. Many of my seniors had already begun exploring opportunities with young technology companies.

During my 4th year of college, I intentionally did not target the large IT services companies that most of my classmates focused on. I was drawn to the innovative work happening at start-ups, even if that meant a riskier career path. Through conversations with seniors, college events, conferences, I proactively learned about emerging startups that I could potentially join.

Interestingly, before most of my peers even had job offers from big MNCs, I had already secured an internship at an early-stage startups in Gurgaon. Convincing my college to allow this unconventional internship showed my drive and eagerness to gain experience in a high-growth environment. So I came to Gurgaon and worked at this company called RedCarpetUp and Grofers happened 2 months later. When my friends also came to Gurgaon, and I was talking to them and one of them insisted on coming to visit their company which was actually Grofers and that meeting actually turned into sort of a problem solving interview.? I think that's how the whole journey has been. I always saw joining an early-stage start-up as taking a promising path to explore and learn new things, rather than a deliberate risk-taking decision.

That’s a great trajectory! You basically went with your intuition like, this is something that I want to work with, this is the team that I want to work with or the company that you want to work with? Can you put a finger on your AHA moment with Blinkit?

I think when you're a college student, you don't think so much.? I'm very much that person- I do not overthink things, because when you start overthinking, you bring in a lot of variables. I do think about risks and assumptions before making a decision but with Blinkit, it was clear because, a) two of the four people who were part of Blinkit were very good college friends of mine. So I knew that if these people are here, I'm going to have a fun time as well. Second and most importantly, when I entered and had a conversation with people at Blinkit, I could totally see how hardworking and encouraging the folks there are.? I just went into the process because my friends were there but I stayed there because of the culture and environment. In my tenure, I had a fun time. I am a person for whom having fun is mandatory.? If I'm not having fun, I will never do something. There are things which are great that I've left or did not pick up because I thought that I will not have fun doing them.

Great! I think you envisioned that you will enjoy working there and that was your AHA moment. Diving a bit more deep to your work at Blinkit here - Blinkit is famous for introducing the ten minute delivery across India. That was like a revolutionizing step in the delivery ecosystem. So it earlier had this hyper local delivery for like 90 minutes and then revamped the business model to have 10 minute delivery. How did you guys land upon this particular business model? I am curious to know about “the ten minutes factor”, how did you end up on that number?

?It’s critical to realize that the 10 minute delivery revolution was happening across India and Europe around the same time. Not only did we have players like Blinkit , Swiggy Instamart and Zepto in India, but it was worthwhile to look at how Getir and Gopuff are doing deliveries in 10 mins in Europe to expand on our learnings on what all things can be experimented on.

In my opinion, the turning point came during the pandemic when on-demand commerce saw explosive growth. Our 30 minute deliveries were already achieving 15-20 minutes in many cases. The executive team realized the massive potential for 10 minute delivery, especially in dense areas.

Given growing consumer expectations for speed and the advances by competitors like Instamart, the pandemic provided the impetus for us to rally around realizing 10 minute delivery across parts of India. It was ultimately factors like density, infrastructure maturity, and technological capability that enabled us to build on models elsewhere and bring hyper fast delivery to Indian consumers.

Steve Jobs once said that to become a great manager, you have to be a great individual contributor first. You progressed rapidly at Blinkit from intern to senior engineering leadership roles. From your own journey of transitioning from engineer to manager, what do you think are the key skills or traits needed to be a stellar individual contributor early in your career? What experiences or abilities prepared you to eventually take on engineering management positions and oversee teams successfully?

Personally, for me, curiosity. Nothing can beat curiosity. If you're curious, you will break boundaries, and you will figure things out no matter what. I think the greatest engineers that I worked with were all curious about things. They're all curious about “how is this happening? What will happen when I change it to something like this?”… So if you have curiosity, I think you can actually move mountains, in my opinion.

While things were sometimes chaotic and roles blurred at a breakneck start-up like Blinkit, the raw intelligence and curiosity of team members enabled us to thrive in the ambiguity. I also believe that while there was? chaos, but, I also met some of the smartest minds at Blinkit. By assembling a team of curious and smart players and reinforcing supportive camaraderie, we were able to achieve outsized impact together during those wild early days.

After nearly 8 years at Blinkit, you stepped away from a potential leadership trajectory to pivot into the nascent climate tech space. What sparked this transition from a stable corporate role to an ambiguous new domain still lacking structure and information?

Was there a particular moment or experience that triggered your passion for pursuing climate solutions? How did you gain conviction to enter climate tech, despite the uncertainty and your own admission that there is more "buzz" than actual content in this evolving landscape?

Climate change has long been a cause near and dear to my heart, stemming from my upbringing in Himachal Pradesh. I grew up seeing the visible impacts of climate shifts on our surroundings, like receding snowlines on the mountains. My family, being in academia, often discussed environmental issues as well.

While at Blinkit, I knew I eventually wanted to take time to pursue personal passions. When I left, climate solutions stood out as an area I wanted to explore and contribute to. I saw it as an intersection of purpose and problem-solving.

However, I realized the climate tech landscape in India was very different from mature ecosystems in the US and Europe. The concept of climate tech itself was nascent here. While some start-ups offered climate benefits, most were not focused on climate solutions explicitly.

There was a lack of resources and communities dedicated to climate tech in India specifically. To educate myself, I had to proactively seek out global perspectives from books by people like Bill Gates, but those didn't always translate to the Indian context.

This personal struggle to navigate ambiguity and piece together the climate tech space in India made me recognize just how early it still is. I saw a need to increase awareness and access through platforms like my blog . There is huge potential but much foundational work is still needed. My intention is to move the climate conversation from buzz to real-world impact.

Great! Considering the global trend towards climate tech investments, what criteria or factors should an investor be looking for when evaluating climate tech companies in India? Given the unique cultural perspective in India, how can these companies effectively penetrate the market and sustain their impact, and what role can the cultural reverence for natural resources play in raising awareness and driving sustainable practices within the Indian climate tech sector?

You know, it's interesting that you asked me about this because it was a challenge I faced earlier this year. Initially, I struggled to find information and solutions related to climate tech and circularity in India. It felt like the space was closed off, but I soon realized it wasn't devoid of solutions. In fact, there are companies, including those mandated by the government to go carbon-neutral, actively addressing these issues.

I came across inspiring individuals and startups working on sustainability solutions. One example is Anish Malpani , who ingeniously recycled Lay's packets into sunglasses. To truly understand these efforts, I found it crucial to become part of these circles and foster open-source communities to stay informed about ongoing initiatives.

Now, when it comes to India and climate change, it's a critical issue. We've seen the harsh impact of climate change in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Bengal, and Orissa. India ranks 4th? on the vulnerability index, and the effects are undeniable. The key is to raise awareness, especially among those who may not directly experience these effects.

What people need to realize is that climate change brings fundamental challenges. It threatens our access to clean drinking water, and food security is on the line. Erratic weather patterns can disrupt crop cycles, as I've heard from people both in Himachal and Tamil Nadu struggling with planting due to unpredictable weather this year.

The truth is, climate change isn't a distant issue; it's one that will affect us all on a fundamental level. Heatwaves, for example, impact different segments of the population differently, with the elderly being particularly vulnerable. I recently heard a personal story about how a heatwave led to hospitalization, which made someone realize the real, tangible impact of climate change.

My mission is to convey these fundamental impacts to everyone so that they can understand how climate change will affect them personally. When people grasp this, they're more likely to take action, even if it's just in their own roles at work or as responsible citizens. Climate change is a vast issue, but every small effort counts.

In your journey of transitioning to climate tech, you've undertaken a significant initiative by launching an open-source collaborative effort. As you've mentioned, the climate tech space is vast and complex, and for some, it might be overwhelming. Your recent discussion highlighted the lack of sufficient information and visibility in the climate tech space, making it somewhat of an uncharted territory. Can you share your vision for the future of your open-source collaborative and how you plan to address this 'dark space' by shedding more light on the climate tech field?

You know, as I embarked on this journey into climate tech, one thing that became increasingly clear to me was the need for an open-source collaborative effort. This realization stemmed from my experiences at Antler , a startup residency program where I pondered what I truly wanted to do. While I initially contemplated building a business model, it didn't feel quite right. I felt that certain things, like education and spreading awareness about climate issues, are essential and should be accessible to all. Moreover, I had my share of frustrations with closed communities that demanded proof of one's worthiness before acceptance.

So, when it comes to open source, I believe that there are numerous individuals out there who want to contribute but may not know where to start or how their skills can make a difference. When I used to write about Himachal on LinkedIn, I received messages from people eager to help but unsure of how to get involved. Many asked how their skills as data analysts or engineers could be applied in the climate space, even if they couldn't make a full-time transition just yet. This theme became increasingly common.

To address this issue, I'm focusing on building practical skills. While webinars and podcasts are great for raising awareness, they don't necessarily equip people with the skills they need to make a career transition. To truly effect change, individuals must understand how their existing skills can fit into the climate tech landscape and how they can still earn a living while making a meaningful impact. That's where I see my role.

Currently, our community, which is a week old as of now, consists of around 30 individuals, all of whom are exploring various problem statements and expanding their climate knowledge. However, a common challenge is understanding where their skills can fit into this vast field. To tackle this, I'm planning to develop and open-source a range of content, particularly focused on skills development. There's plenty of universal information out there, but there's a gap when it comes to hands-on learning in areas like GIS and IoT.

Our community is still evolving, we started just last week, and for now, we're conducting internal events and courses. As it takes shape, we plan to open source these resources to help a wider audience. While I'm currently emphasizing the software side, my vision is to embrace all dimensions of engineering because climate tech requires expertise in various domains.

I firmly believe that hardware and mechanical systems are often overlooked, yet they are essential. Engineering isn't limited to software; it encompasses electronics, electrical systems, civil engineering, and more. Climate tech needs this multidimensional approach.

Climate tech is a vast and complex space, and we aim to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to make a real impact.

Now, one thing to note is that while we're an open-source community, active participation and commitment are essential. We're not just here to raise awareness; we're here to get our hands dirty, read extensively, write thoughtfully, and brainstorm collaboratively. It's all about practical, hands-on work. While I'm not looking to scale this community to thousands at this point, I do hope that we can nurture a handful of thought leaders in climate tech who possess a comprehensive understanding of the field.

We're not a community that simply makes you aware of the issues; we're here to actively work towards prototyping solutions to climate problems. Building scalable organizations in this space requires dedication, hard work, and a hands-on approach. So, our community may be relatively small, but we're laser-focused on practical involvement.

That’s a great approach and I wish you luck with the collective! As someone with a background in engineering and experience in scaling products and start-ups, and now deeply involved in climate tech, you possess a unique perspective. For a tech start-up that is either in its initial stages of growth (from zero to one) or looking to scale further (from one to ten), how can they adopt a frugal and conscious approach? Particularly for those start-ups that may not have the intention of branding themselves as climate tech companies but want to make a meaningful contribution to sustainability, what strategies and practices can they employ to be both resource-efficient and environmentally conscious in their operations?

That's a great question, to be honest. Starting with the right principles is crucial for any start-up because it lays the foundation for sustainable practices in the long run. When thinking about sustainability, it's essential to identify the aspects of your product or business model that can contribute to carbon emissions or environmental impact. For instance, if you're in the delivery ecosystem and still relying on petrol-driven fleets, it's vital to recognize that this contributes to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) challenges. Even if you're not currently measuring your carbon footprint, having the awareness and foresight to identify potential sustainability issues is a significant first step.

However, it shouldn't stop at awareness. Start-ups should also consider how their physical spaces contribute to sustainability. Simple steps like using solar panels for electricity or adopting water treatment systems can not only reduce environmental impact but also lead to cost savings. Many government schemes support such initiatives, making it easier for start-ups to make the transition to more sustainable practices.

Another critical aspect is integrating sustainability into the product design process. Even if a start-up doesn't have an immediate solution for a sustainability problem, acknowledging it and including it in design considerations can lead to future innovations. Similarly, embracing sustainability in product design can lead to innovations that align with customer demands for eco-friendly products and packaging.

Furthermore, start-ups should recognize that governments are becoming increasingly aggressive in their pursuit of sustainability goals. Regulatory changes can happen swiftly, impacting industries and market conditions overnight. By proactively considering sustainability, start-ups can position themselves to adapt more readily to evolving regulations and market demands.

Sustainability is not just a buzzword; it's a strategic consideration that can enhance a startup's resilience, market appeal, and long-term success. By incorporating sustainability principles early on, startups can minimize risks and make meaningful contributions to environmental and social well-being while pursuing their business goals.

Besides legal and regulatory challenges, do you believe that economic factors pose a significant obstacle for companies looking to transition into the climate tech space?

I think there are industries where that is true and there are industries where that is not true because climate is a theme and not a sector. Take the electric vehicle (EV) industry, for instance. Its growth was partly propelled by the fluctuating prices of gasoline and geopolitical events like the Ukraine conflict. Despite these external factors, it's a thriving industry today. Solar energy, on the other hand, has been a bustling space for quite some time, with numerous players. While the agriculture sector still has room for innovation, there are already valuable lessons to learn from our traditional wisdom.

As Bill Gates emphasizes, there's a concept known as the 'green premium,' which refers to the extra cost you might have to bear when opting for a greener or more sustainable product. In many instances, industries have tackled this challenge. For instance, solar energy has become cost-competitive with fossil fuels thanks to subsidies and technological advancements. Similarly, the food tech sector has seen a reduction in the prices of organic and sustainable foods as methods like regenerative farming and scientific farming techniques have evolved.

Take the example of hydroponics—a company called Eeki Foods has made significant strides in growing tomatoes at nearly the same price as traditional farming. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize farming practices. In Himachal Pradesh, there's a policy mandating that all new government vehicles purchased from April 2022 onwards must be green vehicles, promoting the use of electric vehicles. Such government-driven initiatives can significantly influence economic dynamics. However, it's essential to remember that not all sectors have witnessed such advancements. Hydrogen fuel, for instance, is gaining traction, with government funding and state policies supporting its adoption, but not enough can be said about its success or failure yet.

This whole conversation was highly insightful, Sancheeta. I have one small question that actually popped up abruptly -Was your entry into the mentoring space influenced by your parents' background in academia?

That’s an interesting question! I've always had a natural inclination for mentoring, and it wasn't something I started with Airtribe . In fact, I've been mentoring since my time at Grofers. I remember mentoring an intern when I was still an intern myself. The fast-paced environment there meant that even those who joined just a couple of months ahead of someone else would be guiding and mentoring those who joined later, creating a continuous cycle of mentorship.

This mentoring instinct traces back to my school and college days. I've always enjoyed helping others grasp complex concepts and breaking them down into simpler terms. I think some of this ability comes from my parents' background in academia. When you're a teacher, you have to communicate ideas in a way that everyone can understand, not just the brightest students. It's about helping those who need it the most.

My parents' influence is not limited to mentoring; it's also about the way they raised me and the decisions they made. Without their guidance and support, I wouldn't be where I am today.? To summarize, I genuinely believe that it's essential to give back to the community and help others on their journey because I can attribute my learnings and growth to my amazing mentors.

As we wrap up, I have both a typical and an offbeat question for you. Starting with the conventional one, while I don't want you to feel confined by any particular labels, if you were to introduce yourself briefly, what positive attribute would you use to describe yourself?

Now, for the less conventional question: what's one trait or characteristic that you would never ascribe to yourself, something you could never identify with or claim as part of your identity?

So when it comes to describing myself, I often associate myself with three key words: leader, design thinker, and problem solver. And, I've always found it challenging to attach specific titles to my identity, and this perspective remains unchanged even today. When I was contemplating what to call myself or how to label our entire community during a recent reflection on the matter, it struck me how difficult it was to embrace traditional titles. Instead, I identify more with words like problem solver, leader, and design thinker that encapsulate how I approach various challenges very well.

In fact, I'm currently preparing for an event in September where I was asked to provide a self-description. Writing ‘Engineering Manager’, even though it’s an important part of my life, doesn’t nicely summarize my skills and aspirations. . It's not that titles are entirely unimportant; they do serve a purpose. However, I've always viewed the world through a different lens, one that places less emphasis on formal titles.

In conclusion, this interview with Sancheeta has provided valuable insights into her journey as a problem solver, leader, and design thinker in her previous tenure and climate tech space. Her unique perspective on transitioning to a career with a meaningful impact on the environment and her dedication to building a collaborative open-source community for climate enthusiasts are commendable. Her willingness to give back to the community and inspire others was evident throughout this conversation. Her dedication to sustainability, her pursuit of knowledge, and her openness to diverse perspectives make her a true leader in the climate tech arena.

As we look forward to the future of climate tech and the impact of Sancheeta's open-source collective, we can be certain that her unique blend of problem-solving skills, leadership qualities, and design thinking will continue to drive positive change in this critical space. Thank you, Sancheeta, for sharing your inspiring journey and insights with us today.