Uravu Labs, a Bengaluru-based startup, has an inspiring origin story. The company was founded in 2019, but its roots go back to 2016 when its cofounders were students at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Calicut, Kerala. The founders, Swapnil Shrivastav and Venkatesh RY, were driven by a personal experience of water scarcity during their college days.
The vision of Uravu Labs was born out of necessity. During their college days, the campus faced a severe drought, and students were rationed to just 10-15 litres of water per day. This harsh reality sparked a desire in Shrivastav and RY to find a sustainable solution to water scarcity. They began researching ways to extract water from the air, inspired by the concept of moisture vaporators from the Star Wars series[4][5].
The early days were marked by intense research and experimentation. The founders explored various methods to harvest water from the air, initially using silica gel but later switching to a more cost-effective and efficient liquid desiccant, specifically calcium chloride. This change was crucial in making their technology scalable and economically viable[1][5].
Their journey was not without challenges, but the founders remained committed to their mission. They received a grant that helped them set up their first unit and start working full-time on the project. This initial support was a significant step towards turning their vision into reality[5].
Swapnil Shrivastav and Venkatesh RY, the cofounders of Uravu Labs, met while studying architecture and design at NIT Calicut. Their educational background in engineering and design provided them with the technical skills and creative thinking necessary to develop innovative solutions. The duo was later joined by Pardeep Garg and Govinda Balaji, expanding the founding team[4][5].
Shrivastav and RY's experience with water scarcity was personal and profound. Their college campus drought highlighted the urgent need for sustainable water solutions, driving them to dedicate their time and resources to this cause. This personal connection to the problem fueled their determination and innovation[4][5].
Uravu Labs has undergone significant evolution since its inception. From its early days of research and development to its current state of commercial operations, the company has made substantial strides. Here’s a look at their journey and key milestones.
The initial concept of Uravu Labs involved using condensation technology to extract water from the air. However, this method was power-intensive and not sustainable. The founders later shifted to using a liquid desiccant, which proved to be a game-changer. This technology is powered by renewable energy, making it more sustainable and cost-efficient[1][3].
Today, Uravu Labs produces between 1,000 and 1,200 litres of water daily from their facility in North Bengaluru. The water is packaged and delivered to local cafes and other clients. The company aims to increase production to 10,000 litres per day within a year and 100,000 litres per day within two years[4][5].
Uravu Labs has achieved several key milestones in its growth. Here are some of the notable ones:
Beyond just producing drinking water, Uravu Labs is exploring the production of other beverage products. The company plans to use its existing facility to produce tonic water, ginger ale, and flavoured water. This expansion leverages the versatility of their air-to-water technology, which can produce water across various pH degrees.
This diversification helps the company optimize its production facility and cater to a broader market. By building an assembly line for these beverages, Uravu Labs aims to enhance its product portfolio without additional infrastructure costs[5].
Uravu Labs' technology infrastructure is built around its innovative air-to-water system. Here’s an overview of the core platform architecture, security and compliance framework, and the innovation it brings to the industry.
The core of Uravu Labs' technology is the use of a liquid desiccant, specifically calcium chloride, to extract water from the air. This desiccant is low-cost, performs better than solid desiccants, and can be scaled up rapidly. The system is powered by renewable energy, making it sustainable and cost-efficient[1][3].
The technology involves absorbing water from the air using the liquid desiccant and then purifying it for consumption. This process is designed to be efficient and scalable, allowing the company to increase production as demand grows[1][4].
Uravu Labs prioritizes the quality of the water produced. The company ensures that the water meets high standards of purity and safety. While specific details on their security and compliance framework are not extensively detailed, the focus on quality suggests a rigorous testing and validation process.
The company's commitment to quality is evident in their statements, where they emphasize that the quality of water is more important than the cost. This commitment ensures that the water produced is safe for consumption and meets regulatory standards[3].
Uravu Labs is a pioneer in the field of air-to-water technology. Their use of a liquid desiccant and renewable energy sets them apart from other similar technologies. Here are some ways they are innovating in their industry:
Uravu Labs, a startup from India, is making a significant impact in the market with its innovative approach to producing drinking water from atmospheric moisture. Here’s how they are growing and expanding their influence.
Uravu Labs has seen rapid growth in its user base, particularly in the hospitality sector. The company started generating revenue consistently from January 2022 and has since expanded its clientele to include over 25 establishments in Bangalore. These clients include premium cafes, Italian-themed craft houses like Roxie, and Indian 5-star luxury hotel chains like The Leela[8][10].The startup's user base growth is driven by its unique selling proposition of providing high-quality, sustainable water. Uravu Labs' water is produced using renewable energy and does not use any groundwater, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to reduce their environmental footprint. The company's ability to deliver water directly to its clients, along with comprehensive services including packaging, labeling, and logistics, has also contributed to its growing user base.Uravu Labs' success in the hospitality sector has been significant, with the company now planning to expand its services to other major cities in India such as Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
Uravu Labs is expanding its market share by venturing into new markets and product lines. The company is currently operating in Bengaluru but has plans to scale up its operations to produce 10,000 litres of water a day in the next 12 months and 1 lakh litres a day in the next two years[6].In addition to its core product of drinking water, Uravu Labs is also exploring the production of other beverage products such as tonic water, ginger ale, and flavored water. This diversification is aimed at utilizing the same production facility more efficiently and catering to a broader range of clients. The company is also in talks with stakeholders to enter the Middle-Eastern and African markets, specifically in Morocco and North Africa[6].Uravu Labs competes directly with peers such as Maithri Aquatech and Akvo in the Indian market. However, its unique technology and sustainable approach give it a competitive edge.
Uravu Labs' financial inclusion initiatives are focused on sustainability and reducing environmental impact. The company has saved 3,45,214 liters of groundwater and around 3,400 tons of single-use plastic till date by using glass bottles for packaging and metal caps, and by repurchasing empty bottles from clients for reuse[8].Uravu Labs' commitment to sustainability extends to its production process, which uses renewable energy sources. This approach not only reduces the company's carbon footprint but also helps its clients achieve their sustainability goals. By providing affordable and sustainable water solutions, Uravu Labs is contributing to financial inclusion by making high-quality water accessible to a wider range of businesses.
Uravu Labs has had a notable financial journey since its inception in 2017. Here’s a look at its revenue growth, path to profitability, and investment rounds.
Uravu Labs started generating revenue consistently from January 2022. The company has achieved rapid scalability, progressing from 5 litres per day (LPD) to 3,000 LPD. This growth is attributed to successful pilot projects with renowned beverage companies such as AB InBev and Radico Khaitan[8].As of now, Uravu Labs has an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of USD 200,000. The company expects to reach an ARR of USD 1 million in 2024 and break even in 2025. This significant revenue growth is a result of the company's strategic pivot towards the premium water market in the hospitality sector[8].
Uravu Labs' path to profitability involves scaling its operations and expanding its market reach. The company is currently producing 1,000-1,200 litres of water a day and plans to increase this to 10,000 litres a day in the next 12 months. This scale-up is expected to help the company align its production with the growing demand and achieve profitability[6].The company's financial health is also being supported by its comprehensive services, which include water production, packaging, labeling, filling, and logistics. By offering a complete solution, Uravu Labs is able to generate consistent revenue and move closer to its goal of breaking even in 2025.
Uravu Labs has raised a total of $2.3 million over four funding rounds. The latest funding round was a Seed VC - III round in March 2023, which included investors such as Anicut Capital, Echo River Capital, JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation, and Speciale Invest[7][10].The funding has been crucial for Uravu Labs to scale its operations and expand its market reach. The company is also considering raising additional funds later this year to further fuel its growth and scale up its operations.
Uravu Labs has formed several strategic partnerships to enhance its operations and market presence.
While specific details on banking collaborations are not available, Uravu Labs' focus on sustainability and innovation makes it an attractive partner for financial institutions looking to support environmentally friendly initiatives. The company's partnerships with investors and its expansion plans suggest a potential for future collaborations with banks to support its growth.
Uravu Labs has established strong merchant partnerships, particularly in the hospitality sector. The company works with notable clients such as Roxie, an Italian-themed craft house, and The Leela, an Indian 5-star luxury hotel chain. These partnerships have helped Uravu Labs expand its user base and solidify its presence in the market[8][10].
Uravu Labs has formed technology alliances to enhance its production capabilities and expand its product lines. The company's patent-pending technology that harvests atmospheric moisture to produce high-quality drinking water is a key differentiator. This technology is supported by renewable energy sources, making it a sustainable solution[10].Uravu Labs' technology alliances also include collaborations with beverage giants such as AB InBev and Radico Khaitan. These partnerships have helped the company scale its operations and explore new product lines such as tonic water, ginger ale, and flavored water[6].
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