Episodes

  • The Climate on Monday: Green Climate Fund’s record mandate, Crosstown’s innovative hydrogen retrofit, and more

    The Climate on Monday: Green Climate Fund’s record mandate, Crosstown’s innovative hydrogen retrofit, and more
    Jul 7 2025
    Green Climate Fund approves record $1.2 billion for climate projects in developing nationsThe Green Climate Fund has approved a record $1.2 billion for 17 new climate projects, mainly in Asia and Africa, to help vulnerable nations adapt to and mitigate climate change, Reuters reports. The investments include $227 million for green bond markets and $200 million for green finance in India. UN development summit endorses innovative taxes and finance tools to boost global climate fundingAt a UN conference in Spain last week, 192 countries adopted the “Sevilla Commitment,” backing new climate finance tools such as taxes on the super-rich, levies on polluting transport, and debt swaps, Climate Home News reports. UK launches first onshore wind strategy to double capacity and create 45,000 jobs by 2030The UK government has unveiled its first-ever onshore wind strategy, aiming to nearly double capacity to 27–29 GW by 2030 and create up to 45,000 skilled jobs, according to a statement from the UK’s department of energy security and net zero. Global EV and battery investment surges, but China’s overcapacity and policy shifts challenge industryGlobal investment in electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries is booming, with China leading in manufacturing and sales due to strong state support and a vast domestic market, according to a recent report from the Rhodium Group.Europe is rapidly adopting EVs, relying heavily on imports, especially from China, while the US faces uncertainty as potential policy rollbacks threaten its growing domestic industry. Crosstown raises $3.8 million to retrofit Europe’s gas turbines for hydrogenSwiss startup Crosstown has secured CHF 3 million ($3.8 million) in seed funding to scale its patented H2R Burner technology, which enables existing gas turbines to run on 100 percent hydrogen or mixed renewable fuels. New Climate Tech Readiness Index ranks industries on real-world climate technology adoptionClimate Insider has launched the Climate Technology Readiness Index, assessing how prepared emissions-intensive industries — like oil & gas, chemicals, and power — are to actually adopt and scale climate technologies, the climate tech industry media and market intelligence provider said in a recent post.AI-powered robots replace farm hands and herbicides, offering sustainable weeding solutionsAigen, a US startup, has developed a solar-powered, AI-driven robot that autonomously removes weeds from fields, addressing labour shortages and herbicide resistance, according to an AFP report that was picked up by the Economic Times.Other headlinesTether has partnered South American agribusiness Adecoagro to launch a renewable energy-powered Bitcoin mining project in Brazil, using Adecoagro’s surplus clean energy to stabilize revenue and gain exposure to Bitcoin’s value. AB Science has received FDA and EMA approval to begin a confirmatory Phase 3 trial of masitinib for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, using biomarker-driven patient selection for those most likely to benefit. Israeli quantum startup QEDMA has raised $26 million in Series A funding, with IBM joining as a new investor, to develop software that reduces errors in quantum computing and advances practical quantum advantage. Japanese eVTOL manufacturer SkyDrive has secured ¥8.3 billion ($58.9 million) in pre-Series D funding from major investors including Suzuki and railway companies to accelerate certification and infrastructure for its air mobility solutions. AST SpaceMobile has secured an additional $100 million in non-dilutive equipment financing to support its accelerated manufacturing and network deployment for space-based cellular broadband.MaxVolt Energy has acquired land in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, to establish a lithium-ion battery recycling facility with a projected annual capacity of 5,200 metric tons, supporting India’s clean energy and circular economy goals. Lamark Biotech, an Indian biopharma startup, raised ₹6.5 crore in a pre-Series A round led by IAN Group to advance its thermostable insulin program and expand its biologics platform. Zoho Corp has expanded its R&D presence by opening a new campus in Kottarakkara, Kerala, and acquired local startup Asimov Robotics to boost its robotics and automation capabilities. Fractal Analytics is preparing to file draft papers by mid-August for a $500 million IPO on the Mumbai Stock Exchange, aiming for a $3.5 billion valuation and further expansion of its AI-powered data solutions business.Also listen to:India Tech Report: In Conversation Subscribe to my newsletter:India Tech Report
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    8 mins
  • The Climate on Monday: Green Climate Fund’s record mandate, Crosstown’s innovative hydrogen retrofit, and more

    The Climate on Monday: Green Climate Fund’s record mandate, Crosstown’s innovative hydrogen retrofit, and more
    Jul 7 2025
    Green Climate Fund approves record $1.2 billion for climate projects in developing nationsThe Green Climate Fund has approved a record $1.2 billion for 17 new climate projects, mainly in Asia and Africa, to help vulnerable nations adapt to and mitigate climate change, Reuters reports. The investments include $227 million for green bond markets and $200 million for green finance in India. UN development summit endorses innovative taxes and finance tools to boost global climate fundingAt a UN conference in Spain last week, 192 countries adopted the “Sevilla Commitment,” backing new climate finance tools such as taxes on the super-rich, levies on polluting transport, and debt swaps, Climate Home News reports. UK launches first onshore wind strategy to double capacity and create 45,000 jobs by 2030The UK government has unveiled its first-ever onshore wind strategy, aiming to nearly double capacity to 27–29 GW by 2030 and create up to 45,000 skilled jobs, according to a statement from the UK’s department of energy security and net zero. Global EV and battery investment surges, but China’s overcapacity and policy shifts challenge industryGlobal investment in electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries is booming, with China leading in manufacturing and sales due to strong state support and a vast domestic market, according to a recent report from the Rhodium Group.Europe is rapidly adopting EVs, relying heavily on imports, especially from China, while the US faces uncertainty as potential policy rollbacks threaten its growing domestic industry. Crosstown raises $3.8 million to retrofit Europe’s gas turbines for hydrogenSwiss startup Crosstown has secured CHF 3 million ($3.8 million) in seed funding to scale its patented H2R Burner technology, which enables existing gas turbines to run on 100 percent hydrogen or mixed renewable fuels. New Climate Tech Readiness Index ranks industries on real-world climate technology adoptionClimate Insider has launched the Climate Technology Readiness Index, assessing how prepared emissions-intensive industries — like oil & gas, chemicals, and power — are to actually adopt and scale climate technologies, the climate tech industry media and market intelligence provider said in a recent post.AI-powered robots replace farm hands and herbicides, offering sustainable weeding solutionsAigen, a US startup, has developed a solar-powered, AI-driven robot that autonomously removes weeds from fields, addressing labour shortages and herbicide resistance, according to an AFP report that was picked up by the Economic Times.Other headlinesTether has partnered South American agribusiness Adecoagro to launch a renewable energy-powered Bitcoin mining project in Brazil, using Adecoagro’s surplus clean energy to stabilize revenue and gain exposure to Bitcoin’s value. AB Science has received FDA and EMA approval to begin a confirmatory Phase 3 trial of masitinib for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, using biomarker-driven patient selection for those most likely to benefit. Israeli quantum startup QEDMA has raised $26 million in Series A funding, with IBM joining as a new investor, to develop software that reduces errors in quantum computing and advances practical quantum advantage. Japanese eVTOL manufacturer SkyDrive has secured ¥8.3 billion ($58.9 million) in pre-Series D funding from major investors including Suzuki and railway companies to accelerate certification and infrastructure for its air mobility solutions. AST SpaceMobile has secured an additional $100 million in non-dilutive equipment financing to support its accelerated manufacturing and network deployment for space-based cellular broadband.MaxVolt Energy has acquired land in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, to establish a lithium-ion battery recycling facility with a projected annual capacity of 5,200 metric tons, supporting India’s clean energy and circular economy goals. Lamark Biotech, an Indian biopharma startup, raised ₹6.5 crore in a pre-Series A round led by IAN Group to advance its thermostable insulin program and expand its biologics platform. Zoho Corp has expanded its R&D presence by opening a new campus in Kottarakkara, Kerala, and acquired local startup Asimov Robotics to boost its robotics and automation capabilities. Fractal Analytics is preparing to file draft papers by mid-August for a $500 million IPO on the Mumbai Stock Exchange, aiming for a $3.5 billion valuation and further expansion of its AI-powered data solutions business.Also listen to:India Tech Report: In Conversation Subscribe to my newsletter:India Tech Report
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    8 mins
  • Khosla, Eclipse fund Genesis AI’s vision for robotics foundation model, Climeworks hits $1 bln, and more

    Khosla, Eclipse fund Genesis AI’s vision for robotics foundation model, Climeworks hits $1 bln, and more
    Jul 3 2025

    Amazon deploys one million robots, launches AI to boost warehouse efficiency

    Amazon has surpassed the deployment of one million industrial robots, marking a major automation milestone as its latest system began operations in a Japanese fulfillment center, the Association for Advancing Automation reports.


    Amazon also introduced DeepFleet, a generative AI model designed to optimize robot coordination across more than 300 global facilities, improving travel efficiency by 10 percent. More than 700,000 employees have been retrained to work alongside robots, reflecting Amazon’s ongoing integration of advanced robotics and AI into its operations.

    Genesis AI emerges from stealth with $105 million to build universal robotics AI platform

    Genesis AI, a global physical AI research lab, has launched with $105 million in seed funding co-led by Eclipse Ventures and Khosla Ventures, the Canadian venture said in a press release.

    The company aims to develop a universal robotics foundation model and a horizontal platform for general-purpose physical AI, using a proprietary physics simulation engine to generate high-quality synthetic data.

    Catalio Capital closes $400 million fourth fund to back innovative healthcare startups

    Catalio Capital Management has closed its fourth venture fund, Catalio Nexus Fund IV, with over $400 million in commitments from global institutional investors, the New York firm said in a press release. The fund will support breakthrough biomedical technology companies, including 16 early investments such as PinkDx and Superluminal Medicines.

    Flexible zinc–ion batteries with new hydrogel electrolyte maintain stable voltage even when bent

    Researchers at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have developed a flexible aqueous zinc–ion battery using a novel hydrogel electrolyte made from urea and zinc acetate, Tech Xplore reports.

    The battery’s hydrogel can stretch up to 557% and withstand significant compression, maintaining stable voltage even when bent to 180°. This innovation addresses durability and leakage issues, making the battery ideal for portable and wearable devices while remaining cost-effective and eco-friendly.

    Indian scientists develop lanthanum-doped silver niobate for next-generation supercapacitors

    A team led by Dr. Kavita Pandey at Bengaluru’s Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, in collaboration with Aligarh Muslim University, has engineered a lanthanum-doped silver niobate material that dramatically boosts supercapacitor performance, according to a press release from India’s Ministry of Science and Technology.

    The innovation delivers 118 percent energy retention and 100 percent coulombic efficiency, which is a measure of total charge extracted from an electrochemical device during discharge versus the total charge put in during charging.

    Climeworks raises $162 million to expand direct air capture tech for carbon removal

    Climeworks has raised $162 million in equity funding, bringing its total raised to more than $1 billion, according to a press release from the Swiss venture. This is the most for any pure-play carbon removal venture, Tech Funding News notes.


    The investment, led by BigPoint Holding and Partners Group, will accelerate Climeworks’ rollout of its Generation 3 direct air capture technology and global expansion. Climeworks aims to capture 1 billion tons of CO₂ by 2050, positioning itself as a leader in permanent, verifiable carbon removal solutions.

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    6 mins
  • Big Tech’s net zero goals unrealistic researchers say, India in SDG 100 for the first time, and more

    Big Tech’s net zero goals unrealistic researchers say, India in SDG 100 for the first time, and more
    Jun 30 2025
    Tech Giants' Net Zero Goals May Be Unachievable Amid AI Data Center BoomResearchers warn that the net zero pledges of big tech companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon are increasingly unrealistic as they expand AI and data centers, driving up energy use, according to a report by AFP that was widely syndicated last week."The greenhouse gas emissions targets of tech companies appear to have lost their meaning," Thomas Hay, lead author of a report by think tanks Carbon Market Watch and NewClimate Institute, told AFP. Meta finalizes deals for green power for AI data centresMeanwhile, Meta has finalized deals that will take it closer to net-zero emissions across its global data centers, according to a Bloomberg report on June 26. Meta signed new clean energy agreements with developer Invenergy to power its operations with renewable energy. Clean Hydrogen Investment at Risk in US After Tax Bill Proposal A proposed US tax bill threatens to drive clean hydrogen investors out of the country by cutting key incentives, Reuters reports. The move could slow the growth of the clean hydrogen sector, undermining efforts to decarbonize heavy industry and transportation. BizClik announces global sustainability awards finalists BizClik, a B2B digital media and events company, named the finalists for its Global Sustainability Awards 2025, recognizing measurable progress in ESG, climate tech, and sustainable innovation. The awards ceremony, set for September in London, spotlights global enterprises leading in sustainability, encouraging best practices and transparency in corporate environmental responsibility. Global Energy Prize shortlist features 15 scientists from eight countriesThe Global Energy Prize announced its 2025 shortlist, highlighting 15 scientists from eight countries working on sustainable energy solutions. The award promotes innovations addressing global energy challenges, supporting research that drives the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Germany’s Climatiq bags €10 million to turn emissions into business metricClimatiq, a German climate tech startup, has raised €10 million in funding to develop technology that quantifies and tracks carbon emissions as a core business KPI, Tech Funding News reported. Resilience AI assesses climate risk for Indian cities Resilience AI, a startup in Bengaluru, is developing a software platform that assesses how risk-prone our buildings and other infrastructure in our cities are to climate hazards like floods and landslides, Your Story reports.India Breaks Into Sustainable Development Goals Index Top 100 for the First TimeIndia has reached a significant milestone in the latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, ranking within the top 100 countries for the first time, The Indian Express reports. This marks a notable improvement from its previous positions of 112 in 2022 and 120 in 2021. For in-depth conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems, do check out my India Tech Report: In Conversation podcast. You can also subscribe to my newsletter India Tech Report, if you’d like to get all these in one place.
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    6 mins
  • Deep tech wrap on Friday: Green hydrogen solutions rise in India, aerospace startup Raphe scores $100 million, and more

    Deep tech wrap on Friday: Green hydrogen solutions rise in India, aerospace startup Raphe scores $100 million, and more
    Jun 27 2025

    JuliaHub unveils Dyad to accelerate hardware development with AI-powered modeling

    JuliaHub has launched Dyad, a new system that integrates Scientific Machine Learning, Generative AI, and traditional physics modeling to revolutionize hardware system design, according to a post from the eponymous company.

    APac ex-Japan IoT spending to reach $355 billion by 2029, driven by manufacturing and smart technologies

    Internet of Things (IoT) spending in the Asia Pacific region (ex-Japan) will grow from $241 billion in 2025 to $355 billion by 2029, with a 12.6 percent CAGR, technology market researcher IDC said in a recent post.

    John Cockerill Hydrogen raises €116 million to boost global green hydrogen expansion

    John Cockerill Hydrogen has secured a €116 million capital increase to advance its strategic development and international growth, the hydrogen electrolyser and industrial equipment maker said in a press release.

    Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Ohmium partner to pilot green hydrogen microgrids for India’s clean energy future

    Meanwhile, Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Ohmium International have signed an MoU to co-develop green hydrogen-based microgrid solutions in India. The collaboration combines Toyota’s fuel cell expertise with Ohmium’s modular PEM electrolyzer technology to design scalable, efficient, and cost-effective hydrogen power systems for diverse applications, including data centers and remote areas.


    Cummins India launches Battery Energy Storage Systems to accelerate clean energy transition

    Cummins India Limited has launched its Battery Energy Storage Systems, expanding its sustainable solutions portfolio to support India’s clean energy goals, the industrial company said in a press release.

    Ericsson expands Bengaluru R&D to boost 5G chip design and India’s semiconductor ecosystem

    Ericsson is expanding its Bengaluru R&D operations with a dedicated Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) development unit, adding over 150 engineering roles. This move strengthens Ericsson’s global semiconductor design capabilities and supports India’s growing tech ecosystem.

    Antler Bio raises $4.3 million to expand gene expression tech for smarter, more resilient dairy farming

    Antler Bio has secured $4.3 million in funding, led by The First Thirty Ventures, to scale its EpiHerd gene expression platform across Europe, Tech Funding News reports.

    Raphe mPhibr raises $100M to scale indigenous drone manufacturing and global defense ambitions

    Raphe mPhibr has secured $100 million in Series B funding led by General Catalyst, marking the largest private capital raise by an Indian aerospace manufacturer, according to a press release by the Noida based startup.

    For in-depth conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders contributing to India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems, do check out my India Tech Report: In Conversation podcast.

    You can also subscribe to my newsletter India Tech Report, if you’d like to get all these in one place.
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    7 mins
  • After 40 years an Indian in space, Bosch and Mindgrove, SolarSquare at WEF, Ather’s day, and more

    After 40 years an Indian in space, Bosch and Mindgrove, SolarSquare at WEF, Ather’s day, and more
    Jun 26 2025

    Ax-4 mission marks historic return to space for India, Poland, and Hungary

    Axiom Mission 4 launched on June 25th, sending astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to the International Space Station for the first time in more than 40 years, according to the mission update blog on Axiom Space’s website. Led by American astronaut Peggy Whitson, the crew will spend 14 days conducting nearly 60 scientific studies representing 31 countries.

    Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurates AIC–NIFIE incubation centre at IIM Mumbai

    India’s Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the AIC–NIFIE incubation centre at IIM Mumbai, aiming to foster innovation and entrepreneurship under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, according to a press release.

    The new centre, supported by the Atal Innovation Mission, will provide startup incubation, mentorship, and industry linkages, focusing on manufacturing, supply chain, sustainability, and digital transformation.

    Bosch and Mindgrove partner to drive semiconductor innovation in India

    Bosch Global Software Technologies and Mindgrove Technologies have signed an MoU to jointly develop advanced System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions for sectors such as industrial automation, consumer electronics, automotive, and IoT, according to a press release.

    The collaboration leverages Bosch’s R&D expertise and Mindgrove’s chip design capabilities, focusing on RISC-V architecture and co-development of software tools.


    Ather to unveil new scooter platform, EL, and Ather Stack 7.0 at Community Day 2025

    Ather Energy, a premium electric scooter maker in Bengaluru, will host its third Community Day at the end of August 2025, themed “Technology that works like magic,” according to a press release.

    The event will feature the debut of Ather’s new scooter platform, EL, next-generation fast chargers, and the upgraded Ather Stack 7.0 software.

    SolarSquare named to World Economic Forum’s 2025 Technology Pioneers list

    SolarSquare, a leading rooftop solar solutions venture based in Mumbai, has been named to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Technology Pioneers list, joining 100 global innovators, including 10 Indian startups recognized this year, according to a press release.

    The company’s tech-driven platform and patented WindPro Mount system have enabled more than 20,000 installations, advancing solar adoption in India.

    Indian startups rank global no. 3 in H1 tech funding, despite fall: Tracxn

    India’s tech startups raised $4.8 billion in H1 2025, a 25 percent drop from the same period last year, impacted by the global macroeconomic uncertainties. Despite the drop, India ranked no. 3, globally, behind the US and UK, surpassing Germany and Israel, according to a press release from Tracxn, a private markets intelligence provider.

    Transportation and logistics tech led sector growth, while Bengaluru and Delhi attracted the most funding. Despite fewer mega-deals, the ecosystem showed resilience with increased acquisitions and continued investor interest from VCs including LetsVenture, AngelList, and Accel.

    For in-depth conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems, do check out my India Tech Report: In Conversation podcast.

    To support my work, please subscribe to my free newsletter India Tech Report, to get all these in one place.
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    5 mins