From uncrewed space labs to lithium-ion alternatives, Indian startups in science and tech made significant strides in 2024.
Through eco-friendly building materials, tissue engineering, or interventions to reduce food waste, these startups are contributing toward a greener, cleaner, and healthier planet.
Here is ThePrint’s list of India’s science and tech startups to watch out for in 2025.
Catalyx Space
Formerly called Space Rickshaw, this Chennai-based startup came into the limelight in August, when it launched its satellite, SR-0 DemoSAT, aboard ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D3). Founded by Srimathy Kesan and Rifath Shaarook, the company provides uncrewed space labs and re-entry capsules for applications such as research, manufacturing, and art. The startup aims to make space more accessible by leveraging its satellite building and deployment expertise.
CisGEN Biotech Discoveries
This Chennai-based startup works on the development of novel products and services for animal health—the first of its kind in India. It is developing a point-of-care diagnostic kit for bovine tuberculosis (TB) and is also now developing a rapid immune chromatographic test for TB antibody detection in animals.
Cleanergis Biosciences
Funded by the government of India through C–CAMP (Centre for Cellular And Molecular Platforms), this Bengaluru-based startup develops enzymes for food and wastewater treatments. These enzymes contain microbes that perform decolonisation and detoxification, resulting in odourless and disposal-safe waste.
Pandorum Technologies
Pandorum Technologies is a tissue engineering and regenerative medicine company that designs therapeutic products. Among its most notable areas of work is creating human liver tissue using 3D printing technology that can act as a replacement in case of liver failure or transplantation complications. After Covid-19, Pandorum also started working on a treatment for lung regeneration through exosome therapy.
Also read: Who are India’s economic thinkers of the next decade? ThePrint Intellectuals List
QZense Labs
Based in Bengaluru, this women-led startup is transforming the fresh food supply chain with data interventions. It has come up with solutions to detect early signs of food spoilage and has also developed technology that predicts the shelf life of food products. The company specialises in IoT-based automation and analytics solutions to combat wastage at all stages of the food chain: storage, supply chain management, temperature control, and shelf-life monitoring.
Rechargion
This Pune-based deep tech company aims to redefine energy storage from the efficient but damaging lithium–ion batteries to sustainable sodium–ion batteries. Rechargion offers improved storage capacity and easier transportation of batteries. It also provides a better ability to recycle, reduce imports, and overcome dependence on lithium, nickel, and cobalt mining.
Sarvam AI
Founded in 2023, this Bengaluru-based startup is already creating buzz in the generative AI space through its ‘made in India, made for India’ approach. In October, the company launched Sarvam-1, a new open-source language model that was trained to translate around 11 Indian languages. It seeks to lead “transformative research in AI” that will make the development and distribution of GenAI apps in India significantly more robust and cost-effective.
Strawcture
Based in Delhi, Strawcture uses innovative techniques to convert natural straw waste into eco-friendly, durable building materials. The material provides thermal insulation and is fire resistant, while the buildings are commercially viable. Through its integration of agricultural waste into construction processes, the company aims to support the livelihood of farmers as well.
Voxelgrids
This Bengaluru-based biotechnology company has developed a compact, lightweight, full–body MRI scanner that is easily portable and more affordable. The company designs instruments better suited for Indian hospitals, running on the more affordable liquid nitrogen for cooling instead of liquid helium.
Views are personal.