Spill the C

Ashwati Ramesh

Spill the C is an in-depth podcast exploring the stories, strategies, and solutions shaping the Indian ClimateTech ecosystem. Designed for meaningful, unfiltered conversations, the podcast goes beyond surface-level discussions to explore the challenges and opportunities of building businesses and technologies through the personal journeys of industry leaders, the nuances of their work, and their insights into the evolving landscape of climate innovation.

  1. Smarter Spaces: Building Intelligence with Clairco | Spill the C #14

    08/13/2025

    Smarter Spaces: Building Intelligence with Clairco | Spill the C #14

    Welcome to another episode of Spill the C! This time, we’re heading indoors — to unpack how clean air, smart sensors, and intelligent automation are reshaping the buildings we live and work in. Aayush Jha, Co-founder and CEO of Clairco, joins me to break down how their plug-and-play platform is transforming air quality, energy consumption, and space utilisation inside commercial buildings — all without any capex-heavy upgrades. We explore how Clairco is turning everyday spaces into intelligent environments using air purification, real-time sensors, and occupancy-based automation — to help businesses save energy, boost comfort, and build climate resilience from the inside out. 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Aayush’s Journey from Law to Climate Entrepreneurship 04:30 – The Evolution of Clairco: Air Quality to Energy Efficiency 10:30 – The Importance of Occupancy Detection in Buildings 14.10 – Trends in the Smart Buildings Space 18:45 – The State of the HVAC Industry 21:20 – Clairco’s Solutions and Their Impact on Building Management 28:50 – Privacy in Occupancy Sensing 31:00 – Comprehensive Air Quality Monitoring, HVAC Optimization and Efficiency 34:50 – Target Segments and Market Efficiency 42:05 – Clairco’s Client Impact Story 45:05 – Future Plans and Market Expansion 47:20 – Life Outside of Being a Founder Aayush Jha, Founder and CEO at Clairco LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/aayush-jha Website: https://www.clairco.in/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clairco/ 🎬Edited by: Purajit Sonowal 🌿Studio Host: The Studio by Copper+ClovesThe Studio offers a vibrant, multi-use space designed to promote wellness and community engagement — offering Yoga/Pilates and Muay Thai classes, a plant-based café, co-working space, and rental opportunities for anyone looking to host private events or simply wondering where to schedule their next client photoshoot. Website: https://copperandcloves.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestudiobycopperandcloves/?hl=en 📌 Relevant Links & Resources: WHO’s global air quality guidelines and pollutant thresholds for healthier indoor environments >> https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/345329/9789240034228-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y IEA’s overview of the global buildings sector — trends, emissions, and pathways >> https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings ScienceDirect paper on occupancy sensing in buildings >>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378778818333176

    49 min
  2. The New Mix: Bio-Based Concrete with GreenJams | Spill the C #13

    07/17/2025

    The New Mix: Bio-Based Concrete with GreenJams | Spill the C #13

    Welcome to another episode of Spill the C! This time, we’re talking buildings buildings — but from the ground up. Cement and concrete are responsible for 8% of global emissions, and still don’t get enough attention in climate discourse. I sat down with Tarun, Founder and CEO of GreenJams, to explore how their carbon-negative building material, Agrocrete®, is turning agri-waste into high-performance, cost-efficient bricks and blocks. We unpack the science behind carbon sequestration in construction, the trust gap in India’s built environment sector, and what it takes to mainstream material innovation in such a legacy-driven space. 00:00 – Introduction 02:10 – Tarun’s Journey into Green Building Innovation 14:55 – The State of the Construction Industry 16:15 – Embodied Carbon and Cement’s Climate Footprint 18:30 – Why It’s a Value-Driven Market, Not Just Price Sensitive 26:20 – How Agrocrete® Is Made (and What It’s Replacing) 30:05 – Working with Agri-Waste & Farmer Incentives 32:05 – What It Means to Be Carbon-Negative 35:05 – Functionality & Performance of Agrocrete® 39:02 – Who’s Buying It: Early Adopters 46:10 – The Regulation Problem: Why New Materials Can’t Get Certified 51:30 – What’s Next for GreenJams 53:00 – Closing Reflections Tarun Jami, Founder at GreenJams LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/tarunjami Website: https://greenjams.org/ LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/thegreenjams 🎬Edited by: Purajit Sonowal 🌿Studio Host: The Studio by Copper+ClovesThe Studio offers a vibrant, multi-use space designed to promote wellness and community engagement — offering Yoga/Pilates and Muay Thai classes, a plant-based café, co-working space, and rental opportunities for anyone looking to host private events or simply wondering where to schedule their next client photoshoot. Website: https://copperandcloves.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestudiobycopperandcloves/?hl=en 📌Relevant Links & Resources: GreenJams’ product technical comparison sheet >> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1O_UE1yv5ntFoNxi8CHVLjokUv3mauryt/edit?gid=367233856#gid=367233856 A summary of India's major green building certificationsystems>> https://www.commercialdesignindia.com/insights/9050-a-summary-of-all-the-indian-rating-systems-for-green-buildings A paper on Science Direct which provides a comprehensive analysis of decarbonising cement andconcrete production >> https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710224004297 Shakti Foundation’s snapshoton the current state of the brick industry + environmental impacts>>  https://shaktifoundation.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Roadmap-for-promoting-Resource-Efficient-Bricks-in-India-Summary-report.pdf UN GlobalABC’s insights into India’s building sector, fromhousing gaps to environmental impacts >> https://globalabc.org/resources/publications/building-market-brief-india

    54 min
  3. AI at the Helm: Decarbonizing Industry with LivNSense | Spill the C #12

    07/02/2025

    AI at the Helm: Decarbonizing Industry with LivNSense | Spill the C #12

    Welcome to another episode of Spill the C! In this episode, we dive into the industrial heart of the climate challenge - where emissions are high, processes are complex, and change has been slow. Avnish, Founder and CEO of LivNSense, joins me to unpack how their Green-AI platform is enabling “hard-to-abate” sectors to cut emissions — without overhauling infrastructure. We explore how LivNSense combines AI, digital twins, and predictive analytics to deliver operational efficiency and climate impact — and why behavioural change, trust in data, and regulatory alignment are just as critical as the tech itself. 00:00 – Introduction 01:33 – Avnish’s Journey from Tech Leadership to Climate Entrepreneurship 09:15 – Why Industrial Decarbonization is So Hard to Solve 10:40 – Regulations & India’s Global Standing 14:50 – Digital Twins + Real-World Use Cases 17:00 – What “Industry 5.0” Really Means for Net-Zero 18.40 – AI in Industry: Where It Works and Why It’s Gaining Traction, Digital Twins, 23:40 – Inside the GreenOps™ Platform 28:45 – Data Trust, Privacy & the Complexity of Industrial Systems 32:05 – From Compliance to ROI: How Industrial Clients See Value 34.45 – Decarbonizing at Scale: Customer Segments, Other Stakeholders, Infra, and Collaboration 50:10 – How LivNSense Helped a Client Cut Emissions 53:40 – What’s Next for LivNSense 56:13 – Life as a Founder & Final Reflections Avnish Kumar, Founder and CEO at LivNSense LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/avnish-kumar-a86544 Website: http://www.livnsense.com/ LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/livnsense-technologies-pvt-ltd 🎬Edited by: Purajit Sonowal 🌿Studio Host: The Studio by Copper+Cloves The Studio offers a vibrant, multi-use space designed to promote wellness and community engagement — offering Yoga/Pilates and Muay Thai classes, a plant-based café, co-working space, and rental opportunities for anyone looking to host private events or simply wondering where to schedule their next client photoshoot.Website: https://copperandcloves.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestudiobycopperandcloves/?hl=en 📌Relevant Links & Resources:McKinsey’s report on Decarbonizing India that outlines key strategies to enable a net-zero transition across industry, energy, and infrastructure: https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/sustainability/our%20insights/decarbonizing%20india%20charting%20a%20pathway%20for%20sustainable%20growth/decarbonising-india-charting-a-pathway-for-sustainable-growth-full-f.pdf?shouldIndex=false PwC’s 2024 State of Decarbonization Sector Insights that breaks down how global industries are progressing toward net-zero: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/esg/library/assets/pwc-state-of-decarbonization-sector-insights-new.pdf Rockwell Automation’s Pathways to Accelerate Industrial Decarbonization that identifies five operational strategies for heavy industry to cut emissions: https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-in/company/news/press-releases/pathways-to-accelerate-industrial-decarbonization-report.html Climate Insider’s 2025 AI in Climate Tech Outlook: https://climateinsider.com/2025/02/02/the-integration-of-ai-in-climate-tech-where-are-we-in-2025/

    59 min
  4. Inside the Pack: Advancing Battery Innovation with Hastin| Spill the C #11

    06/24/2025

    Inside the Pack: Advancing Battery Innovation with Hastin| Spill the C #11

    Welcome to another episode of Spill the C! This time, we’re unpacking what it really takes to manufacture next-gen battery systems in India’s evolving ecosystem. I sat down with Amit from Hastin Energy to explore how they’re pushing the frontiers of battery innovation with immersion-cooled packs, their in-house Battery Management System (BMS), and the Optimus Analytics platform — all built to help customers optimize performance, enhance safety, and predict cell life like never before. Tune in as we go deep into the engineering behind lithium-ion packs for some of the most demanding real-world use cases — from unmanned vehicle systems to commercial EVs — all designed and manufactured right here in India. 00:00 – Introduction 01:55 – Amit’s Journey into Battery Tech & Climate Innovation 08:23 – India’s Battery Ecosystem: Where It Stands Today 10:35 – Building in a China-Dominated Supply Chain 19:35 – Why Thermal Management Matters (and How Hastin Solves It) 23:15 – Inside the Tech: Advanced Battery Management Systems 28:05 – Use-Case Focus: Umanned Vehicle Systems, Commercial EVs 41.48 – Getting Customers to Trust New Battery Tech 42.38 – Regulations and What’s Still Missing 48:00 – What It Takes to Manufacture Batteries in India 56:30 – Future Roadmap for Hastin Energy 59:20 – Final Reflections Amit Shroff, Co-Founder at Hastin Energy LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/amit-shroff-347436b3 Website: https://hastinenergy.com/index.html LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hastin-energy/ 🎬Edited by: Ankita Bose 🌿Studio Host: The Studio by Copper+ClovesThe Studio offers a vibrant, multi-use space designed to promote wellness and community engagement — offering Yoga/Pilates and Muay Thai classes, a plant-based café, co-working space, and rental opportunities for anyone looking to host private events or simply wondering where to schedule their next client photoshoot. Website: https://copperandcloves.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestudiobycopperandcloves/?hl=en 📌Relevant Links & Resources:Hastin Energy’s snapshot on advanced lithium-ion battery technology: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7239886139564679170/Blume Ventures’ deep dive on India’s battery innovation landscape: https://cdn.blume.vc/blume/media/documents/reports/battery-bluprint-innovation-investment-outlook/Battery-tech-BLUprint-v2.pdfClimate Tech Investment Network’s (Climate Collective) technology research brief on battery technologies: https://climatecollective.typeform.com/CTINTRB?typeform-source=climatetechinvestmentnetwork.com ScienceDirect article on predictive battery analytics: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360544224028275Large Battery’s article on AI-driven BMS trends: https://www.large-battery.com/blog/ai-driven-bms-trends-lithium-battery/

    1h 1m
  5. Water 2.0: The Urban Water Loop with Boson Whitewater | Spill the C #10

    05/27/2025

    Water 2.0: The Urban Water Loop with Boson Whitewater | Spill the C #10

    Welcome to another episode of Spill the C! This time, we’re talking water — or more specifically, how we reuse it. With many Indian cities heading toward water scarcity and overdependence on borewells, municipal supply, and tankers, Boson Whitewater is building decentralised, tech-driven solutions to close the urban water loop. I sat down with Vikas, Co-Founder of Boson, to unpack how their system transforms treated sewage water into potable-quality water, how real-time monitoring is changing the game, and why pricing, perception, and policy all matter when it comes to adoption. 00:00 – Introduction 01:50 – Vikas's Journey into the Water Industry 12:30 – India's Water Crisis: Supply, Demand & Urban Challenges 17:33 – What Happens to Wastewater Today? Gaps in India’s STP Infrastructure and Treatment Landscape 19.30 – Reusing Treated Wastewater: Adoption & Missed Potential 30:25 – Understanding Customer Segments 31:30 – The Tanker Market: Challenges & Realities 34:59 – Pricing Breakdown: Comparing Tankers, Borewells & Boson 36:53 – Inside the Process: Boson's 11-Stage Water Treatment Technology 41:22 – Breaking the Psychological Barrier of Recycled Water 49:05 – Real-Time Monitoring, IoT & Operational Control 57:05 – Policy & Progress: India’s Regulatory Landscape 63:42 – Future Innovations and Expansion Plans 64:51 – Final Reflections & Closing Thoughts Vikas Brahmavar, Co-Founder and Director at Boson Whitewater LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikasbrahmavar/ Website: https://bosonwhitewater.com/ LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/bosonwhitewater 🎬Edited by: Purajit Sonowal 🌿Studio Host: The Studio by Copper+Cloves The Studio offers a vibrant, multi-use space designed to promote wellness and community engagement — offering Yoga/Pilates and Muay Thai classes, a plant-based café, co-working space, and rental opportunities for anyone looking to host private events or simply wondering where to schedule their next client photoshoot. Website: https://copperandcloves.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestudiobycopperandcloves/?hl=en 📌Relevant Links & Resources: IMD’s official rainfall data and seasonal updates for understanding supply-side shifts in urban water: https://mausam.imd.gov.in/imd_latest/contents/rainfall_statistics_3.php A visual overview of India's long-term rainfall trends: http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/media/iep/infographics/Rainfall%20in%20India/112%20years%20of%20rainfall.htmlAn in-depth policy report Addressing Groundwater Depletion in India: https://eacpm.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Addressing_Groundwater_Depletion_in_India.pdf Down to Earth explores: - The critical interlinkages between water security, energy use, and climate resilience in India: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/water-energy-and-climate-are-inseparable-how-to-navigate-the-nexus-for-a-sustainable-future - India’s adoption of new wastewater technologies and why contextual, localised solutions matter most: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/india-is-adopting-advanced-sewage-wastewater-treatment-tech-but-must-choose-those-that-best-meet-local-needs-92863 UJA’s market snapshot on wastewater treatment in India: https://uja.in/blog/market-reports/wastewater-treatment-sector-in-india/ CPCB’s tracker of operational sewage treatment plants (STPs) across states. https://cpcb.nic.in/status-of-stps/ Climate Collective’s (CTIN’s) report exploring emerging tech solutions in wastewater management across India: https://climatecollective.typeform.com/WTTRB?typeform-source=climatetechinvestmentnetwork.com Breakdown of the cost of water from different sources vs. Boson’s recycled model: https://bosonwhitewater.com/how-it-works Book Recommendations: Watershed – Mridula Ramesh

    1h 8m
  6. Closing the Loop: Transforming Food into Feed with Wastelink | Spill the C #09

    05/22/2025

    Closing the Loop: Transforming Food into Feed with Wastelink | Spill the C #09

    Welcome to another episode of Spill the C! This time, we’re talking food waste—not on your plate, but at scale. Krishnan from Wastelink joins us to unpack how they’re transforming pre-consumer food waste into high-quality animal feed, building a circular solution for one of India’s most overlooked sustainability challenges. We explore the systemic gaps in India’s food waste ecosystem, the role of circular infrastructure, and what it takes to rebuild value in what most would discard. 00:00 – Introduction01:50 – Krishnan's Journey to Founding Wastelink 08:27 – Understanding theWaste Management Industry in India14:20 – What really happens to Food Waste? 19:40 – Overview of the Feed Manufacturing Industry 22:58 – Converting Food Waste to Feed 26:20 – Sourcing and Logistics for Wastelink 30:20 – Reverse Logistics for Waste Management 32:30 – Leveraging Technology for Efficiency 34:35 – Understanding Customer Segments 38:41 – Challenges in Onboarding Customers45:06 – Economics for a Food Producer 52.10 – Navigating Regulations and Compliance 55:20 – Global Perspectives on Food Waste Management57:37 – Future Innovations and Growth Plans59:55 – Closing Thoughts Krishnan Kasturirangan, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Wastelink LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishnan-kasturirangan/ WastelinkWebsite: https://wastelink.co/ LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/showcase/wastelink-/ 🎬Edited by: Purajit Sonowal 🌿Studio Host: The Studio by Copper+Cloves The Studio offers a vibrant, multi-use space designed to promote wellness and community engagement — offering Yoga/Pilates and Muay Thai classes, a plant-based café, co-working space, and rental opportunities for anyone looking to host private events or simply wondering where to schedule their next client photoshoot. Website: https://copperandcloves.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestudiobycopperandcloves/?hl=en 📌Relevant Links & Resources: UNEP’s Food Waste Index Report (2024), a global overview on food loss and waste, with policy guidance and solutions for both developed and developing regions: https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/45230 Times of Agriculture’s Article on Food Wastage in India: https://timesofagriculture.in/food-wastage-in-india-farm-to-bin/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20UNEP's%20(United,contributors%20being%20India%20and%20China.&text=The%20FSSAI%20(Food%20Safety%20and,this%20staggering%20amount%20of%20wastage  Feed Strategy’s Overview of India’s Rapidly Evolving Animal Feed Sector: https://www.feedstrategy.com/business-markets/feed-production-by-region/article/15659614/indian-animal-feed-sector-continues-active-development   Book Recommendations The Waste Free World – Ron Gonen

    1h 3m
  7. Material Matters: Packaging for a Circular Future with Bambrew | Spill the C #08

    05/13/2025

    Material Matters: Packaging for a Circular Future with Bambrew | Spill the C #08

    Welcome to another episode of Spill the C! This time, we’re unpacking the future of packaging. Vaibhav from Bambrew joins us to talk about building a meta-materials company tackling one of the toughest sectors in climate innovation—single-use plastics. From scaling sustainable packaging to navigating India's brokenrecycling ecosystem, we get into the real challenges and opportunities in building a circular economy. 00:00 – Introduction03:15 – Vaibhav’s Journey into Circular Innovation 06:20 – The Plastic PackagingProblem in India 13:10 – Upstream and Downstream Innovation 17:50 – Bambrew’s Solution 20:42 – Sustainable Manufacturing Practices22:30 – Infrastructure Gaps & What’s Needed to Fix It 24:45 – Clientele and Challengesin Customer Conversion 27:15 – Supply Chains andWorking with the Informal Sector31.00 – Need for more Patient Capital 32:20 – What the RegulatoryLandscape Looks Like35:45 – What’s Next for Bambrew?37:00 – Closing Thoughts and Advice for Fellow Founders Vaibhav Anant, Founder at Bambrew LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/vaibhav-anant-7474275a Website: https://www.bambrew.in/      LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/bambrew  🎬Edited by: Purajit Sonowal 🌿Studio Host: The Studio by Copper+Cloves The Studio offers a vibrant, multi-use space designed topromote wellness and community engagement — offering Yoga/Pilates and Muay Thai classes, a plant-based café, co-working space, and rental opportunities for anyone looking to host private events or simply wondering where to schedule their next client photoshoot. Website: https://copperandcloves.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestudiobycopperandcloves/?hl=en   📌Relevant Links &Resources:CTIN’s(Climate Collective’s) Technology Research Brief on Plastic Waste Management:https://climatecollective.typeform.com/to/l6tE2m2S?typeform-source=climatetechinvestmentnetwork.com A curated set of resources from EllenMacArthur Foundation on rethinking plastics—from upstream innovation and EPRframeworks to real-world case studies and systems change: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/plastics/projects https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/plastics-and-the-circular-economy-deep-dive https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/podcasts/podcast-upstream-what-solutions-to-plastic-pollution https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/upstream-innovation/overview https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/extended-producer-responsibility/overview   McKinsey’s report on packaging & consumer insights:https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/packaging-and-paper/our-insights/sustainability-in-packaging-2023-inside-the-minds-of-global-consumers Source: A look at how India becamethe world’s largest plastic polluter: https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/india-among-12-nations-responsible-for-60-of-mismanaged-plastic-waste-124041200709_1.html https://www.plasticsforchange.org/blog/india-emerges-as-the-worlds-largest-plastic-polluter-what-went-wrong-and-whats-next   Book Recommendations Waste Free World – Ronan Gonen

    40 min

About

Spill the C is an in-depth podcast exploring the stories, strategies, and solutions shaping the Indian ClimateTech ecosystem. Designed for meaningful, unfiltered conversations, the podcast goes beyond surface-level discussions to explore the challenges and opportunities of building businesses and technologies through the personal journeys of industry leaders, the nuances of their work, and their insights into the evolving landscape of climate innovation.