Chakr Innovation: 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Chakr Innovation is a pioneering cleantech startup based in India, specializing in innovative material science technologies aimed at combating air pollution. Founded in 2016 by graduates of IIT Delhi, the company is renowned for developing practical and patented solutions that significantly reduce harmful emissions from diesel generators, a major pollution source in India and many other countries. Over the years, Chakr Innovation has gained recognition from reputed global institutions like the United Nations, WWF, and Forbes, reflecting its growing influence in the environmental technology sector. This article explores ten key aspects of Chakr Innovation, revealing the depth of their innovation, impact, and vision for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

1. Founding and Mission

Chakr Innovation was established in 2016 by three IIT Delhi graduates—Kushagra Srivastava, Arpit Dhupar, and Bharti Singhla—with a clear mission to reduce pollution through technology. The inspiration for the startup came from witnessing the black soot coating a wall outside a sugarcane juice shop, caused by diesel generator exhausts. This encounter motivated the founders to develop solutions addressing pollution at its source, focusing initially on diesel generators which are widespread in India’s industrial and commercial sectors. Their mission extends to creating sustainable, scalable technologies that not only reduce emissions but also contribute positively to environmental health.

2. The Chakr Shield: Innovative Emission Control

Launched in 2017, just a year after its inception, Chakr Shield is the company’s flagship patented product. This Retrofit Emission Control Device (RECD) can reduce particulate matter (PM 2.5) emissions from diesel generators by up to 90%, dramatically lowering harmful pollution. The Chakr Shield is a catalyst-based technology that captures soot particles before they escape into the environment without compromising the generator’s efficiency or performance. It is the first such device in India to receive Type Approval Certification from labs approved by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), legitimizing its efficacy and safety.

3. Expansion with the Chakr Dual Fuel Kit

In 2022, Chakr Innovation expanded its product portfolio by introducing the Chakr Dual Fuel Kit, enabling diesel generators to run on a mix of fossil fuels and natural gas, typically at a 30% diesel and 70% natural gas ratio. This innovation addresses emissions by reducing diesel consumption and promoting cleaner energy use. It is particularly valuable for industries connected to gas pipelines and represents India's first turnkey solution for emission control in diesel generators. By diversifying fuel use, the technology supports industrial adoption of cleaner energy practices in compliance with environmental regulations.

4. Environmental and Global Recognition

Chakr Innovation’s work has been globally recognized, earning accolades from international bodies such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and inclusion in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs list. These endorsements highlight the startup’s innovative impact on environmental sustainability. Their technology and business model contribute significantly to reducing India’s carbon footprint, with over 5,000 units installed and more than 2.5 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions claimed to be reduced so far.

5. Investment and Growth

In September 2025, Chakr Innovation raised $23 million in a Series C funding round led by the growth investor Iron Pillar, alongside participation from SBI Cap Ventures, ONGC, IAN, and Inflexor. This capital injection is earmarked to expand manufacturing capacity, accelerate international market penetration, and enhance research and development efforts. Additionally, Chakr Innovation plans to establish India’s first dedicated materials science center, reinforcing its commitment to domestic innovation and supporting the Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision. The funding demonstrates market confidence in the company's growth and mission.

6. Tackling Emissions and Pollution Regulations

Chakr Innovation’s products help businesses comply with stringent air quality regulations, including mandates from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). By providing certified and type-approved retrofit emission control devices, Chakr enables industries and institutions to reduce their pollution levels without replacing existing diesel generators. The company’s solutions thus play a critical role in implementing government policies aimed at improving urban and industrial air quality across India.

7. Innovation beyond Emission Control: Chakr DeCoV

In 2020, recognizing a different aspect of public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chakr Innovation launched Chakr DeCoV—a decontamination cabinet using ozone gas to disinfect N95 masks. Ozone, a potent oxidizer, destroys viruses and bacteria by penetrating their protein coats. Chakr DeCoV was reported to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 and reduce bacterial load by 99.9999%, enabling the safe reuse of N95 masks up to ten times. This innovation demonstrated the company’s agility in addressing environmental and health challenges beyond air pollution.

8. Commitment to Sustainable Materials and Energy Storage

Beyond emission control products, Chakr Innovation is also developing indigenous energy storage technologies, including aluminium-air batteries that serve as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Made with 100% Indian raw materials, these batteries offer higher energy density and aim to reduce India’s dependence on imported materials. This forward-looking research aligns with Chakr’s broader objective to pioneer clean technologies and promote sustainability in energy production and storage.

9. Impact and Clientele

Chakr Innovation’s clientele spans industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors where diesel generators are commonplace. Their products are installed widely, serving over 2,000 customers across India. By reducing emissions at the source, Chakr helps these customers meet environmental compliances while promoting corporate social responsibility. The company’s scalable solutions enable clients to contribute to cleaner air without significant operational disruptions or capital expenditure on new generator sets.

10. The Future Vision and Challenges

Chakr Innovation envisions a future where air pollution is drastically reduced through widespread adoption of innovative retrofit technologies and cleaner fuels. The company continues investing heavily in R&D to enhance existing products and explore new technologies in cleantech and material science. However, challenges remain such as scaling production, international expansion amid regulatory differences, and achieving affordability to allow widespread adoption in small and medium enterprises. Despite these hurdles, Chakr Innovation’s strong mission-driven culture and growing global recognition position it well for continued impact in fighting pollution.

Conclusion

Chakr Innovation exemplifies how visionary entrepreneurship combined with cutting-edge science can tackle one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time—air pollution. From their innovative Chakr Shield reducing diesel generator emissions to pioneering clean energy storage solutions, their journey reveals a commitment to sustainability and technology-driven impact. Supported by significant global recognition and investments, Chakr Innovation is poised for growth and international influence, inspiring hope for cleaner air in India and beyond. As pollution threatens global health and climate goals, Chakr’s ongoing innovations raise a vital question: How can more technological pioneers emulate this model to ensure a healthier planet for all?