Can you imagine creating drinkable water out of thin air? There's a kind of magic unfolding in the technological sphere of India, a magic that's turning air into water. The wizards behind this captivating innovation are a spirited team at Uravu Labs, a Bengaluru-based startup with audacious ambitions and grand plans for the future.

Creating Something from Nothing

Over a century ago, the legendary inventor Alexander Graham Bell was tinkering with an idea that seemed fantastical - harvesting water from the air. While his experiments never came to fruition, they left a seed of inspiration that lay dormant until a century later, a small Indian startup began to breathe life into the concept.

Uravu Labs, born in 2019, has roots reaching back to 2016. It all began at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Calicut, where the founders, Swapnil Shrivastav and Venkatesh RY, were studying engineering. Amid a daunting drought at their college, they felt a profound urge to do something about the water scarcity plaguing their country.

“Our eyes were opened when a drought hit our campus for more than a month. We were rationed with no more than 10 to 15 litres of water a day, and sometimes no water at all,” Shrivastav recalled. This experience fuelled a powerful motivation within them, a desire to mitigate the challenge of water scarcity for the long term.

This pivotal moment of realization sparked the journey of Uravu Labs. As the founders say, "We understood firsthand the reality of water scarcity that many people face globally. That’s when we decided to step in and make a difference."

Challenging the Norm and Embracing Innovation

Addressing the water crisis is no small feat. In India alone, more than 163 million people lack access to clean drinking water, an issue especially prevalent in rural areas. To tackle this, the team at Uravu set about researching sustainable and affordable solutions.

While their peers celebrated the return of running water on campus, Shrivastav and Venkatesh were still consumed by their mission. They found inspiration in the idea of generating water from air, a concept that was being pursued in other countries, albeit at a high cost.

Instead of following the well-trodden path, they took an unconventional route, using air conditioner components and car radiators to build a prototype. The journey wasn't smooth, and their initial efforts struggled to gain traction. But a twist of fate came with the Tata Group-backed Water Abundance XPRIZE competition.

"We found our perfect opportunity in this competition, which challenged teams to extract moisture from air using renewable energy at a low cost. Not only were we among the top five finalists, but we also secured a $50,000 grant. This accolade gave us the resources and confidence to pursue our project full time," they fondly remembered.

From a Ripple to a Splash

Following their success, Uravu Labs has been on an impressive growth trajectory. The original duo has now quadrupled, welcoming Pardeep Garg and Govinda Balaji to the team. Armed with their newfound resources and reinforced determination, they made significant progress, even replacing the expensive silica gel with cost-effective calcium chloride in their water production process.

Today, Uravu Labs produces between 1,000 and 1,200 litres of water daily from their facility in North Bengaluru. The water is packaged and delivered to local cafes, but they have bigger plans in store. The founders intend to increase production to 10,000 litres per day within a year, and an ambitious 100,000 litres per day within two years.

"We are committed to our mission. We cater to premium clients to maintain our operations while simultaneously working towards serving India's drought-stricken regions," said Shrivastav. This optimistic goal is not without its hurdles, with the founders admitting that matching production capacity with the rising demand is a challenge they are grappling with.

Expanding Horizons and Overcoming Hurdles

However, challenges aren't slowing down Uravu's ambitions. They're also looking into producing other beverages like tonic water and flavored water. The recent infusion of $2.3 Mn in capital, thanks to investors like Speciale Invest, JITO Incubation & Innovation Foundation, and Anicut Capital, provides a robust financial platform to broaden their scope.

Not only are they planning to venture into other Indian cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, but Uravu also has their sights set globally. They're working on a pilot project in Japan and exploring expansion opportunities in the Middle-Eastern and African markets.

Yet, the road to global expansion is strewn with obstacles. Uncertainties about their pending patents and potential impacts on the local water cycle are pressing concerns. The evolving regulatory landscape with the entry of more players in the field may pose additional challenges in the future.

Tackling Water Scarcity - One Drop at a Time

Even with these hurdles, Uravu Labs is optimistic. The founders acknowledge that the water they extract serves a niche segment and does not fully solve India's vast water problems. But every drop counts. Their daily production of 1,200 litres may serve only a fraction of the population, but it is a step in the right direction.

With the Indian bottled water market anticipated to reach a staggering $36.21 Bn by 2030, the potential for growth is vast. As they forge ahead, Uravu Labs carries the beacon of hope for a world where clean water is accessible for all. It's a testament to human ingenuity, a symbol of resilience, and an embodiment of the mantra that necessity is the mother of all inventions. The story of Uravu Labs is just beginning to unfold, but its impact is already felt far and wide.

Team