Connect with us

Latest News

Synapses Joins Forces with Microsoft to Drive Decarbonization in the Tech Sector!

Published

on

Synapses Joins Forces with Microsoft to Drive Decarbonization in the Tech Sector!

The technology industry, known for its rapid growth, also faces scrutiny for its substantial carbon footprint. Acknowledging the urgent need for change, AIC-Synapses Innovation Foundation has partnered with Microsoft to launch the Tech Sector Decarbonization Challenge. This initiative, introduced in September 2024, aims to foster scalable solutions to help the tech sector transition to a low-carbon future.

Accelerating Cleantech Solutions

The challenge targets startups with innovations at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or higher, ensuring that proposed concepts have been validated in laboratory settings and are ready for real-world application. Recently, the initiative reached a key milestone with the announcement of its finalists, marking progress in promoting cleantech advancements.

Focus Areas for Startups

The program attracted startups specializing in various sectors, including:

  • Energy Transition: Innovations that facilitate the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
  • Circular Economy: Solutions that promote recycling and sustainable resource management.
  • Energy-Efficient AI and Machine Learning: Technologies that optimize energy consumption through intelligent algorithms.
  • Carbon Markets: Platforms that enhance carbon credit trading and tracking.

Out of 166 applicants, 12 startups were chosen to showcase their groundbreaking ideas at the Innovation Challenge Awards.

Empowering Startups for a Sustainable Future

The finalists were awarded up to $150,000 in Microsoft Azure credits, along with training and incubation support from Synapses. Furthermore, Synapses is evaluating the winners for potential investments, further incentivizing innovation in this critical space.

Notable Finalists

The selected startups presented a range of solutions tackling climate change. Some notable entries included:

  • Greengine (Kanpur): A microalgae-based carbon capture system aimed at reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
  • Terano (Gurugram): A blockchain platform designed for carbon credit trading, enhancing transparency and efficiency.
  • Other innovative companies like LivNSense GreenOps, Flock Energy, and Bhumi Technologies showcased pioneering technologies focused on sustainability.

Industry Leaders Champion Decarbonization

Synapses Co-founder Ruchira Shukla highlighted the importance of corporate involvement in achieving sustainability goals:

“Through this partnership with Microsoft, we are enabling startups to tackle climate challenges while helping the tech industry embrace a low-carbon future.”

Microsoft’s Alok Lall, COO of India & South Asia, reiterated the company’s dedication to climate action:

“This challenge nurtures impactful solutions that redefine the environmental footprint of the tech sector.”

A Platform for Change

The program’s culmination took place at Microsoft’s office, where an esteemed panel of experts evaluated the startups’ innovations. Panelists included representatives from leading incubators such as AIC IIITH and Villgro, corporate entities like Nasscom and IEEMA, and think tanks like Invest India and the OMI Foundation.

This diverse group of stakeholders provided valuable feedback, helping startups refine their approaches and gain critical exposure.

About Synapses

Founded by IIT alumni Ruchira Shukla and Karthik Chandrasekar in 2020, Synapses is a $125 million venture capital fund dedicated to addressing climate and health challenges through STEM-based innovations. The organization bridges the gap between scientific breakthroughs and commercialization, fostering market leaders in cleantech.

Future Aspirations

This partnership with Microsoft underscores Synapses’ commitment to empowering startups to revolutionize sustainability efforts, paving the way for a cleaner, greener tech industry. By 2025, Synapses aims to significantly increase its portfolio of sustainable technologies and establish itself as a leader in climate innovation.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Synapses and Microsoft through the Tech Sector Decarbonization Challenge represents a significant step toward addressing the pressing issue of carbon emissions in the tech industry. By supporting innovative startups focused on sustainable solutions, this initiative not only aims to reduce the environmental impact of technology but also fosters a culture of accountability and responsibility within the sector. As these startups develop their technologies further, they hold the potential to drive meaningful change in how businesses approach sustainability in an increasingly digital world.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Your code of destiny

    April 16, 2025 at 11:13 pm

    I’m extremely impressed together with your writing abilities as well as with the structure to your weblog. Is that this a paid theme or did you modify it your self? Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to peer a nice blog like this one nowadays!

  2. 免费Binance账户

    July 31, 2025 at 3:52 pm

    Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.

  3. binance open account

    August 19, 2025 at 9:35 pm

    Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks! https://www.binance.info/en-IN/register?ref=UM6SMJM3

  4. binance

    October 12, 2025 at 4:37 pm

    Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

Meta Expands AI-Powered Reels Translation to Hindi and Portuguese, Enhancing Global Creator Reach

Published

on

Meta has expanded its AI-powered translation feature for Reels to include Hindi and Portuguese, joining English and Spanish in empowering creators to reach a broader global audience on Instagram and Facebook. Originally launched in August 2025 with support for English and Spanish, this update now allows creators to seamlessly translate and dub their short videos, breaking language barriers across some of the largest Reels markets worldwide. The AI technology mimics the creator’s voice tone and even offers lip-syncing to ensure the translated videos feel natural and engaging for viewers.​

This enhancement is especially significant for India, the largest market for Facebook and Instagram, where over 600 million people speak Hindi. Content creators who are not fluent in Hindi can now easily access this vast audience, increasing their reach and engagement across diverse linguistic groups. To maintain transparency, all translated Reels are clearly labeled with “Translated with Meta AI,” and viewers can choose to switch translations on or off based on their preference.​

In addition to voice dubbing, Meta is developing features to translate captions and text stickers on Reels, making content more accessible even without sound. These AI translation tools are available free for eligible public Instagram accounts and Facebook creator profiles with over 1,000 followers. This innovation reinforces Meta’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural content sharing and enhancing creators’ ability to connect with audiences around the world through short-form videos.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Dunzo’s Collapse: Reliance’s ₹1,645 Crore Loss Signals Challenges in India’s Hyperlocal Delivery Market

Published

on

Startup Stories

Reliance Industries has officially written off its $200 million investment in Dunzo, a once promising quick-commerce startup in India. Despite high-profile backing and the potential to disrupt the hyperlocal delivery sector, Dunzo faced insurmountable challenges including high operational costs, unsustainable cash burn, and stiff competition from larger players like Zepto and Blinkit. Reliance’s decision follows Dunzo’s operational suspension, leadership exits, and failed attempts at securing additional funding or acquisition partners, ultimately resulting in the company’s digital platforms going offline in early 2025.​

The downfall of Dunzo was accelerated by its inability to maintain a healthy balance between rapid expansion and revenue growth, with losses in FY23 reaching an alarming ₹1,800 crore. With monthly expenses crossing ₹100 crore and mounting pressure to scale, Dunzo resorted to layoffs and delayed payments before shutting down most services outside Bengaluru. Reliance’s significant stake, initially seen as a strategic advantage, ended up limiting the startup’s flexibility in making independent decisions during its final months.​

Reliance’s write-off sends a strong message to India’s startup ecosystem about the risks inherent in quick-commerce and hyperlocal delivery models. Investors are increasingly focused on sustainable growth, disciplined scaling, and profitability. For Reliance, lessons from Dunzo’s collapse are shaping future e-commerce strategies, driving greater emphasis on operational efficiency and prudent financial planning in an intensely competitive market.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Zoho Arattai vs WhatsApp: 5 Reasons India’s Homegrown Messenger Is Winning in 2025

Published

on

Startup Stories

Zoho Arattai messenger has rapidly gained popularity in India by offering features tailored specifically for Indian users, setting itself apart from global competitors like WhatsApp. Arattai delivers exceptional regional language support, intuitive low-bandwidth messaging, and a lightweight interface, making it especially accessible to rural communities and users on lower-end smartphones. This focus on localization and inclusivity gives Arattai a significant edge in the Indian market, ensuring seamless communication even in remote areas.

Beyond usability, Arattai places a strong emphasis on user privacy and data sovereignty. The app stores all user data within India and follows a strict no-ads, no data-selling policy, which guarantees that personal information remains secure and uncompromised. While WhatsApp does provide robust end-to-end encryption, its global servers and Meta-owned data monetization model have raised concerns among privacy-conscious users. Arattai’s transparent approach makes it a trusted and attractive alternative for those who value privacy and wish to avoid intrusive advertisements or AI profiling.

Unique features such as integrated meetings, TV compatibility, and advanced mentions functionality further establish Arattai’s position as a well-rounded and future-ready messaging app. These India-first innovations, combined with Arattai’s ad-free philosophy, clean interface, and powerful optimizations for local contexts, make it the preferred messaging solution for those seeking a modern, secure, and regionally relevant alternative to WhatsApp.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Recent Posts

Advertisement