Wed Nov 27 19:12:40 UTC 2024: **IIT Madras and Thales Fund Eco-Friendly Tech Innovations**

CHENNAI, November 28, 2024 – Six Indian teams have been awarded seed funding of up to ₹10 lakh each to further develop their eco-friendly technologies. The funding comes as part of the Carbon Zero Challenge (CZC 4.0), a joint initiative between the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Thales, a global technology company.

The CZC 4.0 attracted 500 participating teams from 775 universities and 430 startups nationwide. After a rigorous selection process, 25 teams were shortlisted for the finals and participated in a six-month program. These finalists presented their innovations at an exposition held from October 26th to 28th, receiving mentorship from Sustainability Mafia, a non-profit organization.

The six winning teams showcased technologies focused on sustainable solutions across various sectors, including: hydrogen storage using agricultural waste; cleaner biomethane production; efficient wastewater management; nano-cellulose production from agricultural residues; eco-friendly wind turbine blade transformation; and sustainable resin manufacturing from plant waste. One team developing electrified refrigeration technology for cold logistics vehicles also received special mention for its rapid progress towards commercialization.

The CZC has a strong track record of success, with 30 startups emerging from previous cohorts and another 35 nearing commercialization. This initiative reflects a combined effort to support young innovators, address environmental concerns, and foster the development of resource-efficient technologies for a sustainable future. Ashish Saraf, Thales’ India Country Director, emphasized the program’s goal of empowering young innovators and creating a cleaner, greener world. Indumathi Nambi, CZC coordinator at IIT Madras, highlighted the impressive participation from across India.

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