India’s energy future won’t be built by oil rigs or thermal giants—it’ll be written by a handful of startups racing against climate deadlines, grid instability, and rising demand.
WireUnwired
From solar rooftops to fast-charging batteries, Indian startups are now at the heart of energy innovation. While legacy players adapt slowly, these young companies are offering speed, software, and scalability—precisely what the future demands.
So, I dug through the noise to pick five startups truly making a difference. Not just those raising money, but the ones raising standards.
5 Energy Startups Powering India’s Green Future
⚡ 1. Oorjan Cleantech
- Founded: 2014, Mumbai Oorjan Cleantech – About Us
- Focus: Rooftop solar solutions for homes and SMEs
- Why it matters: Oorjan simplifies solar adoption by offering end-to-end services, including installation, financing, and monitoring through a user-friendly mobile app. This approach empowers individuals and small businesses to participate in India’s clean energy transition.
- Recognition: The company has received several accolades, such as the REI Collaboration Platform of the Year 2022 by REI India, ET Now Best Startup and CEO in Solar (2019-2020), and was named among the Top-7 “New Energy Leaders in Asia” by the Asian Development Bank in 2017. Oorjan Cleantech – Awards and Recognitions
⚡ 2. ReNew (formerly ReNew Power)
- Founded: 2011, Gurgaon ReNew Energy Global – Wikipedia
- Focus: Utility-scale wind, solar, and battery storage; decarbonization solutions
- Why it matters: ReNew is India’s largest renewable energy Independent Power Producer (IPP), with a portfolio of approximately 17.4 GW as of February 2025, including projects under development. The company operates over 150 utility-scale projects across nine states, supplying clean energy to around 5.9 million homes and accounting for about 5% of India’s total installed renewable capacity. ReNew website – Global Leading Renewable & Green Energy Company
- Recognition: ReNew has garnered significant accolades, including being named a “Lighthouse” by the World Economic Forum for its leadership in digital transformation. In 2023, it was recognized as an Energy Transition Changemaker by the COP28 Presidency. Additionally, ReNew’s CEO, Sumant Sinha, was honored with the inaugural “Distinguished Alumni Award” from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs in 2022. ReNew Energy Global – Wikipedia, ReNew website – ReNew crosses 10 GW Milestone
⚡ 3. Ather Energy
- Founded: 2013, Bengaluru Ather Energy – About Us
- Focus: Premium electric scooters and EV charging infrastructure
- Why it matters: Ather Energy is at the forefront of India’s electric vehicle (EV) revolution, offering smart, connected electric scooters like the Ather 450X and Ather Rizta. With a robust charging network, Ather Grid, and a presence in over 230 cities, Ather is redefining urban mobility in India.
- Recognition: Ather has received numerous accolades, including the “Automotive Tech Startup of the Year” by IPRCCA in 2018 and the “Best Startup Award” by The Economic Times in 2016. The company’s co-founders, Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, were featured in Forbes India’s “30 Under 30” list in 2018. In 2024, Ather achieved unicorn status with a valuation of $1.3 billion. Ather Energy – Awards, Financial Express – Ather Energy enters unicorn club with $1.3 bn valuation after raising Rs 600 crore
⚡ 4. Log9 Materials
- Founded: 2015, Bengaluru Log9 Materials – About Us
- Focus: Advanced battery technologies and nanotechnology
- Why it matters: Log9 Materials is pioneering the development of fast-charging and long-lasting batteries, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs). Their proprietary RapidX technology enables two-wheelers to charge in under 15 minutes and three-wheelers in about 40 minutes, significantly reducing downtime for commercial EV fleets.
- Recognition: Log9 Materials has received several accolades, including the National Startup Award in the Clean Energy category in 2022. The company has also been recognized for its innovative contributions to battery technology. National Startup Awards 2022 – Winners
⚡ 5. Yulu
- Founded: 2017, Bengaluru Yulu – StartupTalky
- Focus: Shared electric mobility and battery swapping infrastructure
- Why it matters: Yulu offers a fleet of shared electric two-wheelers aimed at reducing urban congestion and pollution. Their battery-as-a-service (BaaS) model, operated through their subsidiary Yuma Energy, allows for efficient battery swapping, minimizing downtime for users.
- Recognition: Yulu has been recognized for its innovative approach to urban mobility solutions. Future Transport-News – Yulu Wins The Best Smart City Solution Startup at StartUp Awards 2021 (This specific award could not be independently verified, but the overall recognition for innovation is accurate)
🏅 Special Mentions
⚡Ola Electric
- Founded: 2017 (Bengaluru) Ola Electric – About Us
- Focus: Electric scooters, battery innovation, and gigafactory-scale manufacturing
- Why it matters: Ola Electric is India’s most ambitious EV player—building not just vehicles but vertical supply chains, including India’s largest EV two-wheeler plant and a government-backed battery cell gigafactory.
- Recognition: It led EV scooter sales in 2023 and 2024 and is a core beneficiary under India’s ₹18,000 crore PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells. Inc42 – Ola Electric Leads EV Two-Wheeler Sales in March, FY24, Mint – Ola Electric to be first to make lithium-ion cells in India under PLI scheme
📌 Editor’s Note:
Ola Electric earns a special mention, not a top 5 spot, due to recent concerns that continue to cast a shadow on its operations like
1)Product quality concerns—including battery fires and software issues—have created trust challenges for Ola. Reuters – Ola Electric faces scrutiny over scooter fires, quality complaints
2)Recent suicide by an IISc grad working at Ola.
Despite these, Ola’s influence on India’s EV narrative is undeniable—which is why it remains a force to watch, and earns its mention here.
⚡SolarSquare
- Founded: 2015, Mumbai SolarSquare – About Us
- Focus: Residential rooftop solar
- Why it matters: SolarSquare brings design, financing, and installation of solar systems under one roof, tailored for Indian households. The company claims to have installed 15,000+ systems across India as of 2024. SolarSquare website
- Recognition: In 2022, SolarSquare was selected for Sequoia Surge’s accelerator program and raised ₹100 crore (approx. $12-13 million) in Series A funding. Mercom India – Residential Solar Company SolarSquare Raises $12.8 Million Series A Funding, Times of India – SolarSquare raises Rs 100 crore in Series A led by Elevation Capital, Lowercarbon
Conclusion: Energy’s Next Powerhouses
India’s energy transition no longer seems to be a promise rather i would say it’s a race. From affordable solar rooftops to EV battery breakthroughs, these startups are not just responding to policy—they’re rewriting the playbook. ⚡
What stands out is the diversity of approach:
- Ather and Ola battle it out in the EV space, but from very different philosophies.
- Log9 and ReNew push tech and scale, respectively—both equally critical.
- Yulu and SolarSquare solve daily urban problems while staying climate-positive.
🧠 At WireUnwired, we believe the next powerhouses won’t just be the biggest—they’ll be the ones that stay transparent, build responsibly, and scale without losing sight of who they’re building for.
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