‘UnPollute 2024′ Convenes Women Entrepreneurs, and Experts to Address Key Sustainability Issues

 

New Delhi : UnPollute – A Sustainability Conclave, organized by STEP in partnership with Miranda House, Delhi University, concluded successfully, bringing together women entrepreneurs, students, government leaders, and industry experts. The event addressed critical environmental challenges while advancing sustainable innovation and focused on empowering women business owners to take the lead in creating strategies for climate change mitigation, waste reduction, and promoting a circular economy.

 

The two-day conclave was inspired by the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, India’s roadmap for a prosperous and inclusive future. For this edition, UnPollute 2024 partnered with India’s largest climate fund, Eversource Capital and Everstone Group, a leading investment manager in Asia. The Conclave served as a dynamic platform for forging collaborations, mentorship, and investment opportunities for women entrepreneurs working in waste management, circular economy, climate technology, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.

 

While commenting on the significance conclave, Ms. Arti Bhatnagar, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Commerce & Industry Said, “Under the government’s Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, Rs. 5 crore can be allocated to each incubator to support startups across the country including women-led startups. This is not just about funding; it’s about equipping women entrepreneurs with the necessary tools, resources, and mentorship to grow their ventures and create a lasting social and economic impact in both rural and urban areas. Women entrepreneurs are not only innovators but the driving force of change in India’s sustainability journey. UnPollute 2024 has created a platform that can amplify their impact and bring to the forefront solutions that contribute to a greener and cleaner India.”.

 

Reinu Shah, Founder of STEP emphasized the need for women entrepreneurs to lead the sustainability movement. “The jobs created by women-led startups in our incubation program are a direct result of their innovative work. Each small startup typically recruits about five people, and we’ve seen that women-led enterprises hire women at a significantly higher rate—80% compared to 20% of men. With potentially 230-250 women-led enterprises in our incubation program, this could result in nearly 1,000 jobs for women. UnPollute represents a pivotal movement to restore the balance between humanity and nature, something I have personally cherished since childhood. Women entrepreneurs are leading this charge, and STEP is empowering them to take ownership of both their future and the planet’s. This isn’t just about using sustainability as a buzzword—it’s about transforming awareness into action. Women are shaping a new narrative of sustainable development, and by investing in them, we’re investing in systemic change. They are not only beneficiaries of sustainability efforts, but also key drivers of solutions that address the climate crisis. Through UnPollute, we aim to equip them with the tools, mentorship, and networks to amplify their impact, ensuring that their contributions resonate for generations to come.”

 

Professor Bijayalaxmi Nanda, Principal Miranda House stated that, “At Miranda House, we are committed to fostering an ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurship in environmental sustainability. Our collaboration with STEP is central to this vision, as we work together to empower our students to shape their future and the future of the country. As an institution of higher learning, we are committed to instilling the values of sustainability in our students, equipping them to lead in a world where environmental responsibility is paramount. The solutions to climate change will emerge from the knowledge, innovation, and collective action we foster today.”

 

Keynote speaker Shri Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, “The government is committed to supporting environmentally friendly company models, and we think that women entrepreneurs contribute significantly to this effort. Our goal is to provide an atmosphere that allows innovation and sustainability to thrive together peacefully through platforms such as UnPollute.”

 

Garima Poonia, Founder of Trash Pirate (Environmental Entrepreneur) said, “There is a need to look back and learn from how our ancestors have lived in harmony with nature. So much of that can be used to change our current lifestyles and produce as little waste as possible. Our ideas of development and out dependence on technology to solve the problem of waste need careful re-thinking.”

 

Manik Thapar, Founder, Eco Wise Waste Management said , “Sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about reimagining waste as a resource. Through innovation and collective effort, we can turn today’s waste problems into tomorrow’s opportunities, creating a circular economy that benefits both people and the planet.”

 

UnPollute 2024 was supported by key partners including Eversource Capital, India’s largest climate impact fund. Ms. Charu Gulati, Group Head Human Resources at Everstone Capital Advisors India Private Limited said, “Sustainability isn’t just a responsibility, it’s an opportunity. By investing in sustainable solutions, we are not only addressing the urgent challenges of climate change but also unlocking new pathways for innovation and long-term growth. The future of impact lies in the intersection of profit and purpose.”

 

Ms. Archana Jahagirdar, the founder of Rukam Capital, a leading venture capital firm in India highlighted,  “Sustainability is an essential component for business. The business community plays a key role in helping companies that put environmental responsibility first and pursue growth.”

 

Highlighting the innovative spirit, startup pitching sessions featured creative solutions, shining a spotlight on the ingenuity of sustainability-focused entrepreneurs. Women-led startups presented their cutting-edge ideas to a panel of investors from organizations such as Speciale Invest, Rukam Capital, and MeritX Ventures. A key highlight of the conclave was the Masterclass by Meta, which focused on unlocking growth for green entrepreneurs using technology and social media.”Unlocking Growth for Green Entrepreneurs,” gave useful insights into digital solutions for scaling environmentally friendly firms.

 

STEP is not only focused on incubating women-led startups but also offers comprehensive resources to ensure their success. STEP’s support and resources include mentorship and networking opportunities with potential investors, as demonstrated during the UnPollute event. The organization also provides masterclasses on critical areas for business growth, such as effective use of social media tools, types of revenue models, storytelling, and design thinking. Additionally, entrepreneurs receive guidance on making necessary adjustments to their business models, how to pitch to potential funders, and leadership workshops

 

The event culminated with an award ceremony, where outstanding startups were recognized for their contributions to sustainability. Winners, both women founders and students were recognized for their creative approaches to waste management, circular economy initiatives, and climate action. The winners of the UnPollute event—Green Gum (Pahal Garwa), India Recycles (Renu Pokharna), and Kiasha’s MTL Pvt Ltd (Anisha Shetty)—were collectively awarded Rs. 6 lakhs to support their innovative sustainability ventures. Additionally, two studentpreneurs, from Miranda and STEP student fellowship program, were also recognized for their climate change and sustainability driven ideas.