ECOSTP is a startup from India that focuses on improving sanitation through innovative sewage treatment technology. Founded in 2017, the company has made significant strides in addressing the water crisis in India. Here’s a look at their vision, early days, and the founding team.
ECOSTP was inspired by the need to solve India’s sewage treatment problems. In India, many sewage treatment plants do not work properly due to high running costs. ECOSTP’s vision is to provide a sustainable and affordable solution using biomimicry, inspired by nature, specifically the cow’s stomach.
The company’s early days involved extensive research and development. The founders were motivated by the poor condition of lakes in Bengaluru, such as the Varthur Lake, which was heavily polluted. This prompted them to develop a system that could treat sewage water efficiently without relying on power, chemicals, or human intervention.
ECOSTP’s technology is designed to be self-sustainable and can treat millions of liters of sewage water per day. This innovation has been recognized by various organizations, including the United Nations ESCAP 8th World Water Forum and the Government of India’s AGNIi innovation showcase.
The founding team of ECOSTP consists of Dr. E Muralidharan, Simar Kohli, Tharun Kumar, and Praseed KK. They come from diverse backgrounds, including filmmaking, sustainability, medicine, and product design. Tharun Kumar, an engineer with over 20 years of experience in sustainability and cybersecurity, is particularly passionate about solving the global water crisis starting from India.
The team’s varied experience has been crucial in developing a comprehensive approach to sewage treatment. Their corporate background taught them the importance of human, financial, and social capital in making a new venture successful.
Tharun Kumar’s leadership and the team’s commitment have driven ECOSTP to achieve significant milestones and accolades. Their mission is to reclaim every drop of wastewater naturally, making a substantial impact on public health and the environment.
ECOSTP has evolved significantly since its inception in 2017. From its initial concept to its current state, the company has made notable progress in product development, market expansion, and client acquisition.
ECOSTP started with a simple yet powerful idea: to use biomimicry to treat sewage. The initial concept involved using anaerobic bacteria to purify water in underground chambers. This idea has evolved into a patented technology that is now widely recognized and implemented across India.
The company has moved from having zero clients to acquiring over 20 clients within a year, thanks to its participation in the Brigade REAP accelerator program. This program provided ECOSTP with insights into the marketplace and helped them spot trends early on.
Today, ECOSTP has installations in 25 Indian states, processing billions of liters of sewage since its launch. The company continues to innovate and expand its reach, particularly in rural and low-income consumer markets.
ECOSTP has achieved several key milestones in its growth journey. One of the significant milestones was receiving funding of 19 million rupees from the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter. This funding has been crucial for product development and market expansion.
The company was also part of the Brigade REAP and ShelterTech accelerators, which provided valuable insights and strategic support. ECOSTP has won several awards, including the Economic Times Leaders of Tomorrow Award and the FICCI Water Innovation Award.
ECOSTP’s growth has been driven by its innovative technology and strong partnerships. The company has collaborated with various organizations to further its mission of providing safe, sustainable, and affordable water treatment solutions.
ECOSTP’s product portfolio has expanded significantly since its inception. The company’s core product is its patented sewage treatment technology that uses biomimicry. This technology has been designed to be decentralized and self-sustainable, treating sewage water without power, chemicals, or human intervention.
In addition to its core technology, ECOSTP has developed proprietary software to design and optimize its solutions. The company has also worked on multiple projects for Brigade, a real estate company, further expanding its product offerings.
ECOSTP’s product expansion includes addressing various market needs, particularly in commercial buildings and rural areas. The company’s focus on innovation and customer needs has driven its product portfolio growth.
ECOSTP’s technology infrastructure is built around its innovative sewage treatment system. Here’s a look at the core platform architecture, security and compliance framework, and the company’s innovation in the industry.
ECOSTP’s core platform architecture is based on biomimicry, inspired by the cow’s stomach. The system uses anaerobic bacteria to purify water in underground chambers. This decentralized and self-sustainable technology does not require power, chemicals, or human intervention.
The technology involves functional principles and strategies of microorganisms and ecosystems found in a cow’s stomach. This natural approach ensures that the system is efficient and cost-effective, saving up to 90% on operational expenses.
The proprietary software developed by ECOSTP helps in designing and optimizing the sewage treatment solutions. This software is crucial for ensuring that the systems are tailored to specific client needs and are highly efficient.
ECOSTP ensures that its technology complies with various regulatory standards. The company’s systems are designed to meet the requirements of safe and healthy water treatment, adhering to international and national standards.
The security framework of ECOSTP involves ensuring that the treatment process is secure and free from any potential risks. The use of anaerobic bacteria and underground chambers minimizes the risk of contamination and ensures a safe environment.
ECOSTP’s compliance with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is also noteworthy. The company addresses six UN SDGs, making it a model for sustainable practices in the industry[3]).
ECOSTP has brought significant innovation to the sewage treatment industry. The company’s use of biomimicry is a unique approach that sets it apart from conventional sewage treatment plants. This innovation has been recognized globally, with ECOSTP being selected as a Best Practice case study for the United Nations ESCAP SDG Sustainability Asia Pac report[3]).
The company’s technology is also Net Zero, meaning it has no moving parts and does not use energy, motors, exhaust fans, pumps, or blowers. This makes it highly sustainable and environmentally friendly[3]).
ECOSTP’s innovative approach has addressed the water crisis in India effectively, providing safe and healthy homes for both urban and rural families. The company continues to innovate and expand its reach, making a substantial impact on public health and the environment[1]).
ECOSTP, a startup from India, has made a significant impact in the market since its inception in 2017. Here’s a look at how the company has grown and expanded its influence.
ECOSTP has seen substantial growth in its user base. The company now serves over 250 clients across India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. This expansion is a testament to the effectiveness and demand for their sustainable wastewater treatment solutions.
ECOSTP's client base includes various sectors such as real estate, educational institutions, factories, commercial properties, and hotels and resorts. This diverse client base indicates the versatility and adaptability of their technology[7].
The company's growth is also reflected in the number of people it has impacted. By providing low-cost and low-maintenance sanitation technology, ECOSTP has helped thousands of families in low-income areas, contributing to healthier and more sanitary households[6].
ECOSTP has been successful in expanding its market share by targeting the B2B market, particularly partnering with residential property developers. This strategic approach has allowed the company to penetrate deeper into the real estate sector.
ECOSTP's innovative technology has been recognized globally. It was featured at the 8th World Water Forum in Brasilia in 2018 and selected as a Best Practice case study for the United Nations ESCAP. Such recognitions have helped the company gain credibility and expand its market reach[7].
The company's technology is unique in that it operates without power or chemicals, mimicking the digestive process of a cow's stomach. This nature-inspired solution has attracted attention and clients from various regions, contributing to its market share expansion[6].
ECOSTP's financial inclusion initiatives are focused on making affordable and sustainable sanitation solutions available to low-income families. Here are some key aspects of their initiatives:
ECOSTP received an investment from the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, a unit of Habitat for Humanity. This investment has been crucial in helping ECOSTP develop its business and bring safe, sustainable, and affordable water treatment products to low-income families[6].
ECOSTP's financial journey is marked by significant milestones and challenges. Here’s an overview of their revenue growth, path to profitability, and investment rounds.
ECOSTP's revenue growth has been steady, though there have been fluctuations. Here are some key points:
For the financial year ending on 31 March 2022, ECOSTP's operating revenue range was between INR 1 cr and 100 cr. However, the company's EBITDA decreased by 14607.83% over the previous year, indicating some financial challenges[8].
Despite these challenges, ECOSTP has managed to treat an impressive 4 billion liters of water. This volume indicates a strong operational capacity and potential for future revenue growth[7].
ECOSTP is working towards achieving profitability through cost-effective solutions and strategic partnerships.
The company's zero-power and zero-operator technology reduces operational costs significantly. This cost savings is a key factor in their path to profitability[7].
ECOSTP's financial health is also influenced by its partnerships and investments. For instance, the investment from the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter has been instrumental in enhancing their business operations[6].
ECOSTP has secured investments that have been crucial for its growth and development.
ECOSTP raised $250K in funding, which was facilitated through its participation in accelerators like Brigade REAP and ShelterTech. These accelerators have helped the company scale its business and attract further investments[6].
ECOSTP has formed several strategic partnerships that have been instrumental in its growth and success.
While ECOSTP does not have direct banking collaborations, its involvement with financial institutions through accelerators and investments is noteworthy.
The investment from the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, a unit of Habitat for Humanity, is an example of how ECOSTP has leveraged financial support to enhance its operations[6].
Participation in accelerators like Brigade REAP, which is backed by real estate and property technology firms, also indicates indirect collaboration with financial stakeholders in the real estate sector[6].
ECOSTP primarily targets the B2B market, partnering with residential property developers and other commercial entities.
ECOSTP's partnerships with real estate developers have been crucial in expanding its client base. These partnerships enable the company to integrate its sustainable wastewater treatment solutions into new and existing properties[7].
ECOSTP's technology alliances are focused on enhancing its innovative wastewater treatment solutions.
The company’s technology is inspired by biomimicry, specifically mimicking the cow’s stomach. This nature-inspired approach has been recognized globally and has helped ECOSTP form alliances with innovation-focused organizations[7].
ECOSTP’s participation in the ANGiii Innovation Showcase and the 8th World Water Forum are examples of its engagement with technology and innovation communities[6][7].
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