WORK IN PROGRESS: February 2025

Welcome to the February edition of ‘Work In Progress’, our monthly newsletter that brings you stories of innovation and entrepreneurship as we work towards solving India's most pressing challenges.

This edition is a special one. As the world observed World Cancer Day, we spoke to founders from Social Alpha’s portfolio and sector experts to understand how accessible screening, precision-driven diagnosis, and affordable treatment solutions are reshaping cancer care—one breakthrough at a time.

We’re also celebrating exciting milestones across sectors! From new additions to our portfolio and breakthrough funding announcements to our start-ups contributing to India’s space ambitions through ISRO’s SpaDeX mission, our start-ups continue to make waves. With patents granted and product launches driving impact, their work continues to gain recognition. Entrepreneurs from our ecosystem are being honoured on global platforms and even received a special invite to the 'At Home Reception' hosted by Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

As we continue backing bold ideas and mission-driven entrepreneurs, we’re grateful to have you on this journey. Stay tuned for more impact stories in the next edition—and dive into this one to explore the innovations making a real impact!

United by Innovation: Advancing Cancer Care Through Technology

What if cancer could be detected earlier?

What if a simple, self-screening cervical cancer kit meant a woman didn’t have to travel miles to a hospital—or worse, wait until it was too late? What if an AI-driven imaging tool could help a surgeon remove every trace of a tumour in one go—saving a patient from another painful surgery? What if cancer care didn’t just exist in big hospitals, but in every home, every community, within everyone’s reach?

For millions, access to early detection and precision treatment remains out of reach. But innovation is changing that. From AI-powered diagnostics to at-home screening solutions, start-ups are reimagining cancer care—making it more accessible, affordable, and human-centred. In our recent article, Aakriti Sinha and Dr Mrigank Warrier bring together insights from innovators in Social Alpha’s portfolio and sector experts—highlighting the breakthroughs that are transforming cancer care, making diagnosis faster, treatment smarter, and care more accessible.

Read the article here

Social Alpha Backs Wundrsight to Redefine Mental Healthcare with VR

We are excited to welcome Wundrsight Health to the Social Alpha family! Its VR-powered Digital Therapeutics (DTx) platform is transforming mental healthcare by offering immersive, clinically validated interventions for conditions like substance abuse disorders, ADHD, OCD, phobias, and more.

By simulating high-risk situations in a controlled, safe environment, Wundrsight’s VR platform improves patient engagement, retention, and adherence to care—especially for underserved communities. Social Alpha will enable Wundrsight to conduct clinical trials, refine its therapy models, and strengthen its regulatory pathway, accelerating its journey to commercialisation.

Social Alpha Start-ups Power ISRO’s SpaDeX Mission!

Three Social Alpha-backed start-ups played a key role in ISRO’s PSLV-C60 SpaDeX mission:

Kepler Aero provided critical ground station and mission operation support with its primary communication links for the SpaDeX docking mission. PierSight ’s Varuna Mission deployed a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) on a Cubesat, proving commercial readiness of its real-time maritime observation solution. Manastu Space ’s Vyom 2U executed a precision somersault manoeuvre on the PSLV’s PS4 platform using green propulsion technology.

Congratulations to all three start-ups and their teams!

Tharam-Thiran Green Energy Flow Private Limited won ‘Climate Pitch 2024’, supported by Cummins Foundation, for its affordable clean energy storage solutions, driving industrial decarbonisation.

EF Polymer Global won ‘Silver at SIVAL 2025’, a world-class trade fair for plant production based in France. It was also recognised at ‘Bharat AgriTech 2025’ for its groundbreaking hydrogel, Fasal Amrit.

LCB fertilizers private limited inaugurated a state-of-the-art unit in Sonipat, Haryana, supported by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India and RuTAG, IIT Kanpur, promoting sustainable fertiliser solutions.

Rang De celebrated 17 years of connecting social investors and rural entrepreneurs across India, while Tan90 celebrated its sixth year in business and growth from a local start-up to a global player.

Samarth Care launched Samarth Clinics for Healthy Ageing, India’s first independent clinic exclusively for older adults, delivering preventive, holistic geriatric care.

JSP Enviro Private Limited ’s pioneering waste water treatment solutions found a spot in the Aavishkaar Group’s 2024 Impact Report.

BeAble Health joined the ‘IIT Start-ups Cohort C12’, gaining access to mentorship, education, and a global IIT alumni network, furthering its mission in rehabilitation solutions.

Social Alpha Puts Circularity into Action

At Social Alpha, we don’t just support circular economy innovations—we practice them too! This January, we partnered with Circular Apparel Innovation Factory (CAIF) and Hasiru Dala to organise a clothes donation drive. As part of this initiative, our team collected 205 kgs of clothes within Social Alpha, ensuring they stay out of landfills. Every small action adds up, and we are happy to declutter for a cause!

BrainSightAI Secures $5M to Advance Global Neurocare!

BrainSightAI , a Social Alpha portfolio company, raised $5 million in Pre-Series A funding led by IAN Group, with participation from IvyCap Ventures, Silverneedle Ventures, and existing investors.

The funds will help the start-up on its mission to redefine personalised brain care through cutting-edge AI-driven neurodiagnostics. Going ahead, they plan to expand across more Indian cities, scale in Africa and Southeast Asia and secure FDA certification for entry into U.S. & allied markets.

Shree Marut’s 18-HP Electric Tractor Hits the Market!

marut e-tractor has delivered its first commercial 18-HP electric tractor to Mafatlal Industries in Gujarat, marking its first full-price sale. Designed for warehouse logistics, the tractor offers zero tailpipe emissions, ultra-low noise, and over 2.5-ton pulling capacity—all with significantly lower operational costs. A milestone for sustainable industrial mobility!

Fermentech Labs Secures Indian Patent for Sustainable Bio-Refinery

Fermentech Labs , supported by Social Alpha, has been granted an Indian Patent for its breakthrough in converting agricultural waste into industrially valuable products. This patented process transforms sugarcane trash into high-yield xylanase enzyme, prebiotic-rich side-streams, and high-calorific fuel pellets, creating a zero-waste bio-refinery model that eliminates incineration while boosting farm incomes and sustainability.

From the Seat of Power to Sacred Gatherings, Social Alpha-backed Innovators are Making Their Presence Felt

Social Alpha portfolio start-ups are making an impact at India’s most prestigious gatherings. Seema Sukhani (Tellus Habitat), Shriti Pandey (Strawcture), and Dr Renuka Diwan (BioPrime) were honoured guests at the ‘At Home Reception’ hosted by the Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu at The Rashtrapati Bhavan on Republic Day 2025— a recognition of their contributions to sustainability, waste-to-wealth solutions, and environmental innovation.

NxtQube supported the Maha Kumbh operations with advanced surveillance and logistics through its pilotless drone systems.

Social Innovation on Display - Social Alpha Start-ups Make Waves at Industry Events!

Our portfolio start-ups continue to make an impact, pitching, presenting, and proving their impact at top industry events!

uBreathe presented groundbreaking research on nature-based air purification at ‘ICoRD 2025, IIT Hyderabad’; BeAble Health showcased ArmAble, its advanced rehabilitation tool, at ‘SIPCON 2025’, while CareMother by Doto Health introduced CareMother, its maternal health innovation, to healthcare industry professionals at ‘AICOG 2025’, India’s largest OB-GYN conference. Finally, New Leaf Dynamic Technologies demoed its biomass-powered cold chain solutions at the ‘All India Cold Chain Seminar’.

Kheyti was featured by ‘The UNDP Global Centre, Singapore’ for its role in Controlled Environment Agriculture, highlighting its Greenhouse-in-a-Box as a climate-resilient farming solution.

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