Uravu Labs is an Indian startup that has been making waves by creating drinking water from air. Founded in 2019, the story of Uravu Labs begins with its cofounders' personal experience of water scarcity. Here is a look into the vision, early days, and the founding team's background.
The idea of Uravu Labs was born out of necessity. In 2016, cofounders Swapnil Shrivastav and Venkatesh RY were students at NIT Calicut, one of India’s premier engineering institutes. A severe drought hit their campus, leaving them with limited water supply. This experience sparked their determination to find a sustainable solution to water scarcity in India.
Shrivastav recalled, "We realised this when a drought hit our campus for more than a month and we were rationed with no more than 10 to 15 litres (a bucket) of water a day, and sometimes no water at all.” This hardship drove them to change the lives of many who faced similar situations.
Their vision was clear: to develop technology that could extract water from the air, making clean drinking water accessible to all, especially in rural and desert areas where water scarcity is a major issue.
Swapnil Shrivastav and Venkatesh RY, the initial cofounders, met while studying at NIT Calicut. Their shared experience of water scarcity during their college days laid the foundation for Uravu Labs. Later, they were joined by Pardeep Garg and Govinda Balaji, expanding the founding team to four members.
Govinda Balaji, one of the cofounders, is also listed as a key executive of the company. The diverse backgrounds and skills of the founding team have been instrumental in the startup's growth and innovation.
The team's engineering background and hands-on experience with prototyping and testing have been crucial in developing the technology to extract water from air.
Uravu Labs has come a long way since its inception. From its initial concept to its current state, the startup has faced numerous challenges and achieved significant milestones. Here’s a look at its business evolution.
The initial concept involved researching and developing a technology to harvest water from the air. Although similar technologies existed in other countries, they were expensive and not scalable for India. The cofounders decided to find a cost-effective and sustainable solution. They started by using components from air conditioners and car radiators to build a crude prototype.
After graduating, they faced difficulties in finding investors for their half-baked effort. However, a grant of 50,000 helped them set up a unit and work on the project full-time. This marked the beginning of their journey towards making the technology viable.
Today, Uravu Labs produces 1,000-1,200 litres of water a day and plans to scale up to 10,000 litres a day in the next 12 months and 1 lakh litres a day in the next two years[1]).
Here are some key milestones in Uravu Labs' growth:
Uravu Labs' primary product is the atmospheric water generator (AWG), which extracts water from air. Here’s how their product portfolio has expanded:
The startup initially used silica gel for the AWG process but later pivoted to using dirt-cheap calcium chloride, making the technology more cost-effective and scalable[1]).
Today, their product is used by businesses, which buy the water at Rs 4 per litre. The goal is to make this technology ubiquitous, especially in villages where access to clean drinking water is limited[5]).
The company is also exploring other applications and markets to expand its product portfolio and reach more customers.
Uravu Labs' technology infrastructure is the backbone of its operations. Here’s a look at its core platform architecture, security and compliance framework, and innovation in the industry.
The core platform architecture of Uravu Labs involves the use of atmospheric water generators (AWGs). These AWGs are designed to extract water from the air using a cost-effective method. Here’s how it works:
The process involves using calcium chloride to capture moisture from the air, which is then converted into clean drinking water. This method is scalable and can be set up in various locations, including rural areas[1]).
The startup operates from a shipping container-sized facility in North Bengaluru, which is planned to be scaled up to increase production capacity[1]).
While Uravu Labs' primary focus is on water technology, ensuring the security and compliance of their operations is crucial. Here are some aspects of their security framework:
Data Protection: Since the startup deals with sensitive data related to its operations and client information, ensuring data protection is key. This involves using encryption, access controls, and continuous monitoring to prevent unauthorized access and breaches.
Regulatory Compliance: Uravu Labs must comply with industry standards and regulatory requirements. This includes following standardized security measures and frameworks to ensure compliance with critical regulations.
Incident Response: The startup has a detailed plan for responding to security incidents, including preparation, identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident review[3]).
Uravu Labs is a pioneer in the water technology sector, particularly in India. Here’s how they are innovating:
Cost-Effective Technology: Unlike other foreign players who use expensive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), Uravu Labs uses calcium chloride, making the technology affordable and scalable for India[1]).
Sustainable Solution: The startup’s focus on sustainability is evident in its mission to provide clean drinking water to areas where it is scarce. This aligns with global efforts to address climate change and water scarcity.
Global Ambitions: By expanding into international markets and collaborating with global stakeholders, Uravu Labs is setting a new standard for water technology innovation[1]).
Uravu Labs, a watertech startup from India, has been making significant waves in the market with its innovative technology to produce drinking water from the air. Here’s a look at how they are impacting the market.
Uravu Labs has seen substantial growth in its user base, particularly in the hospitality sector. After successfully completing pilot projects with renowned beverage companies like AB InBev and Radico Khaitan, they expanded their services to over 25 establishments in Bangalore[8].
Their client base includes independent cafes and premium water market clients. This expansion is a result of their strategic pivot towards offering high-quality water directly to consumers rather than selling the technology itself. This shift has helped them in scaling their operations and increasing their customer base.
The company's ability to produce up to 1,000-1,200 liters of water per day and plans to scale up to 10,000 liters per day in the next 12 months have been crucial in meeting the growing demand from their clients. Their packaging, which includes glass bottles, screen-printed labels, and metal caps, also appeals to environmentally conscious consumers.
Uravu Labs is steadily increasing its market share in the water production sector. By leveraging their patent-pending solar adsorption reactor technology, they are able to produce water in dry and arid areas, making them a unique player in the market.
Their technology, known as the 'aquapanel,' is modular and scalable, which allows them to expand their operations efficiently. This technology has been recognized globally, with the company being mentioned as a leader in making water out of thin air.
Uravu Labs' focus on sustainability and reducing single-use plastic has also helped them gain traction in the market. They have saved over 3,45,214 liters of groundwater and around 3,400 tons of single-use plastic to date, which is a significant achievement and a selling point for environmentally conscious consumers.
While Uravu Labs is not directly involved in financial inclusion initiatives, their impact on water scarcity issues indirectly benefits communities that lack access to clean drinking water. This is particularly significant in rural areas where women often have to walk long distances to fetch water.
By providing a sustainable and reliable source of drinking water, Uravu Labs helps in reducing the economic burden on these communities. The time saved from not having to fetch water can be used for other productive activities, contributing to the overall economic well-being of the community.
The company's mission to make human life sustainable and communities responsive and resilient aligns with broader social and economic development goals. Their innovative approach to water production is a step towards ensuring that everyone has access to clean drinking water, regardless of their geographical location.
Uravu Labs has had a remarkable financial journey since its inception in 2019. Here’s an overview of their revenue growth, path to profitability, and investment rounds.
Uravu Labs started generating revenue consistently from January 2022 and has seen significant growth since then. Their Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) has increased to USD 200,000, and they are expecting to reach an ARR of USD 1 million in 2024[8].
The company's revenue growth is largely attributed to their successful pilot projects and strategic pivot towards the premium water market in the hospitality sector. By offering comprehensive services including water production, packaging, labeling, filling, and logistics, they have been able to attract and retain a significant client base.
Uravu Labs' estimated annual revenue is currently around $6.7 million, with a revenue per employee of $94,500. This indicates efficient use of resources and a strong revenue generation model.
Uravu Labs is on track to break even in 2025. Despite the substantial capital expenditure associated with their technology, the company has managed to scale their operations effectively.
Their decision to pivot from selling the technology to directly offering the product has been instrumental in their financial growth. By focusing on the hospitality sector, they have found a compelling product market fit that has driven their revenue growth.
The company's financial health is also reflected in their ability to expand their employee base. Uravu Labs has 71 employees and has seen a 3% growth in their employee count last year.
Uravu Labs has received significant backing from investors. Although specific details about their investment rounds and valuations are not readily available, the company has been supported by Speciale Invest, which has helped them in setting up their operations[6].
Their innovative technology and strong market presence have attracted the attention of major investors. The company's estimated revenue and employee growth indicate a positive valuation trajectory.
Uravu Labs' partnerships with beverage giants and their expansion plans suggest that they are well-positioned for further investment and growth. Their unique technology and sustainable approach make them an attractive option for investors looking to support innovative startups.
Uravu Labs has forged several strategic partnerships that have been crucial to their growth and success.
While there is no specific information available on Uravu Labs' banking collaborations, their focus on sustainability and innovation makes them a potential partner for banks looking to support environmentally friendly initiatives.
Banks often partner with fintechs and innovative startups to enhance their services and contribute to sustainable development. Given Uravu Labs' impact in the water production sector, they could be an attractive partner for banks looking to expand their sustainability initiatives.
For example, partnerships like Tradeshift & HSBC or Stripe & Goldman Sachs show how banks can collaborate with innovative companies to drive mutual growth and innovation.
Uravu Labs has established strong partnerships with merchants in the hospitality sector. They work closely with independent cafes and premium water clients to provide comprehensive water production and packaging services.
Their partnership with clients like Roxie, which was their inaugural client in December 2022, has been instrumental in expanding their services. These partnerships have helped Uravu Labs in scaling their operations and increasing their market presence.
The company's ability to offer customized services, including packaging, labeling, and logistics, has been a key factor in their successful merchant partnerships. Their commitment to sustainability, such as using glass bottles and metal caps, also aligns with the values of many of their clients.
Uravu Labs' technology alliances are centered around their patent-pending solar adsorption reactor technology. This technology, known as the 'aquapanel,' is a result of extensive research and development.
The company's use of dirt-cheap calcium chloride instead of silica gel has made their technology more cost-effective and scalable. This innovation has allowed them to produce water efficiently even in dry and arid areas.
Uravu Labs' technology alliances are likely to continue as they expand their operations and explore new markets. Their modular and scalable technology makes it easier for them to partner with other companies looking to adopt sustainable water production methods.
Their collaboration with international investors and companies, such as the world's largest brewer, further highlights their commitment to technological innovation and sustainability[7]).
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