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
3 Comments

3 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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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

Latest News

MPL to Lay Off 60% of India Workforce Following Online Gaming Ban

Published

on

MPL

Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of India’s top online gaming platforms, is set to lay off about 60% of its India workforce following the government’s ban on paid online games. The move, confirmed by MPL CEO Sai Srinivas through an internal email, will impact around 300 employees across multiple departments including marketing, finance, operations, engineering, and legal. This decision comes as a direct result of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which restricts paid online games involving monetary stakes to address concerns over financial risks and addiction among young users.

India contributed nearly half of MPL’s revenues, estimated at around $100 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year. With the ban on paid gaming, MPL’s primary revenue source in India has been effectively cut off, prompting the company to shift focus towards free-to-play games and expand its presence in overseas markets such as the United States and Brazil. Despite the layoffs, MPL has pledged to support the affected employees through the transition period. CEO Sai Srinivas expressed regret over the downsizing but highlighted the company’s commitment to developing new business models for the Indian market amid the regulatory changes.

This development significantly disrupts the Indian online gaming industry, which was on track to grow into a $3.6 billion sector by 2029 before the introduction of the ban. While competitors like Dream11 have adapted by discontinuing paid games and avoiding layoffs, the ban has forced many gaming startups in India to rethink their operations. The government’s regulation targets all games involving real money stakes, including fantasy sports and popular card games like rummy and poker, reshaping the future landscape for the country’s gaming ecosystem and its workforce.

Continue Reading

Latest News

NCLT Approves Amalgamaxtion of Info Edge Subsidiary Makesense with PB Fintech

Published

on

Info Edge - PB

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has granted approval for the amalgamation of Info Edge’s subsidiary, Makesense Technologies, with PB Fintech as of August 29, 2025, in a significant move for India’s fintech sector. This strategic merger aligns with Info Edge’s ongoing focus on streamlining its corporate structure and supports PB Fintech’s growth trajectory as the operator of leading platforms such as Policybazaar and Paisabazaar. The amalgamation, cleared by NCLT’s Chandigarh bench, took place without winding up either company, enabling a seamless blending of assets and expertise for greater operational efficiency.

In the specifics of this deal, Makesense Technologies—holding a 13.04% stake in PB Fintech as of June 2025—will see its shareholders allotted 59,750 equity shares and 60,030 compulsorily convertible preference shares from PB Fintech, with no change to Info Edge’s underlying economic interest. The consolidation is expected to cut compliance and administrative costs, simplify the equity structure, and enable both companies to focus on core business strengths without duplication of resources. This move is designed to strengthen PB Fintech’s position in India’s fast-evolving fintech and insurance market, while keeping Info Edge’s investment objectives intact.

The NCLT-approved merger highlights a broader trend of consolidation within India’s tech-driven industries, as major players seek to boost competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth through mergers and amalgamations. Stakeholders—including shareholders and employees—are set to benefit from the new, streamlined structure, increased transparency, and the promise of enhanced value creation going forward. The unification of Makesense Technologies and PB Fintech is expected to make a positive impact on the broader fintech ecosystem, reinforcing both companies’ leadership and innovation agendas.

Continue Reading

Latest News

ShareChat Appoints Neha Markanda as CBO

Published

on

Sharechat

ShareChat, one of India’s premier social media platforms, has strengthened its leadership by appointing Neha Markanda as Chief Business Officer for both its flagship ShareChat platform and the popular short video app Moj. Markanda, previously Head of Industry, E-commerce at Google India, brings over 22 years of expertise across renowned companies like Meta, GSK Consumer Healthcare, PepsiCo, and ITC. At Google India, she led transformative strategies in e-commerce and health tech, ensuring market growth and technological innovation for global brands. Her proven track record uniquely positions her to drive ShareChat’s revenue strategy, business expansion, and partnerships with advertisers and regional stakeholders.

Markanda’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for ShareChat, which recently achieved profitability and has projected a robust ₹1,200 crore revenue run rate for the year. The platforms boast a combined monthly active user base of more than 325 million, making ShareChat and Moj essential tools for marketers seeking to increase engagement across India’s diverse regions. Markanda’s expertise is expected to further accelerate ShareChat’s business growth, opening doors for brand collaborations and hyper-targeted influencer campaigns, which can connect marketers to local audiences in a culturally relevant manner.

With advanced degrees from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and Lady Shri Ram College, Markanda’s leadership is set to reinforce ShareChat’s momentum as India’s go-to platform for marketers and creators looking for trusted, brand-safe environments. Her focus on vernacular content and building robust partnerships will complement ShareChat and Moj’s mission to empower regional creators and deliver authentic engagement. Industry experts have lauded this strategic move, anticipating that Markanda’s vision will help ShareChat and Moj maintain their edge in India’s social media landscape.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Recent Posts

Advertisement