u/wryes

Founded by Swapnil Shrivastav and his team, the startup uses a proprietary liquid salt solution that absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. The captured moisture is then heated at relatively low temperatures to produce clean, potable water without relying on rivers, lakes, or groundwater sources.

The founders started with small prototypes capable of generating only a few hundred milliliters of water per day. After years of research and engineering, Uravu's commercial systems can now produce thousands of liters of drinking water daily.

The company is already supplying its air-derived water to hotels, restaurants, and beverage brands.

With over ₹40 crore in funding and a 15,000-square-foot facility in Bengaluru, Uravu Labs is now looking to scale globally, positioning atmospheric water generation as a sustainable solution for regions facing growing water scarcity.

The venture was founded by former tech veterans Dr. CVS Kiran and Sireesh Pallikonda.

The venture believes that technologies like 6G, autonomous vehicles, and AI-powered systems will require communication networks that complement traditional cell towers in functioning.

The idea emerged while the duo was working with satellite companies and space agencies.

They noticed a lack of private near-space testing infrastructure in India and realized the same technology could also address global connectivity challenges.

"Terrestrial towers simply cannot support that level of bandwidth reliably. There needs to be an infrastructure situated near to the space," Sireesh Pallikonda tells Startup Pedia in an exclusive interview.

Operating at an altitude of 20–25 km, a single Red Balloon airship can replace 300–400 cell towers, cover a 500-km radius, and reduce latency from around 40 milliseconds (traditional satellites) to just 0.3 milliseconds.

Rather than relying on an existing supply chain, the founders built critical manufacturing systems in-house, including machines to produce specialized load-bearing tapes.

"When we conceptualized Red Balloon, we actually started with customers already in hand. We didn't build a product and then go looking for buyers," Pallikonda explains.
They also developed patented high-strength materials capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -80°C in the stratosphere.

Within just 6–8 months of launching, the startup successfully completed its first commercial super-pressure balloon mission, placing India among the few countries with this capability.

Today, Red Balloon Aerospace is commercialized. Following its successful balloon mission, the company is preparing to launch its aerostat later this year, followed by its first full-scale high-altitude airship in the near future.

Looking ahead, Red Balloon envisions transforming the logistics industry by making air transport as affordable as sea freight.

The startup believes cargo airships can significantly reduce the cost of aerial transportation, bringing it closer to the economics of maritime shipping.

In a strongly worded post, he argued that only a small percentage of Indians pay income tax, but the same group often faces repeated notices, clarifications, and regulatory scrutiny from multiple authorities.

According to him, businesses continue to comply because challenging the system is often more costly and time-consuming than responding to tax demands and paperwork.

The entrepreneur claimed that India's regulatory environment discourages growth by placing a disproportionate burden on formal businesses and taxpayers.

While acknowledging the capabilities of Indian entrepreneurs, he argued that many choose to build businesses abroad because they find other ecosystems more supportive and predictable.

Expressing frustration with what he described as a lack of genuine ease of doing business, the founder said he plans to relocate and expand his ventures outside India in 2026.

When everyone was selling waffles, brownies, and ice creams, they introduced Korean Bingsu and built Snowberry into a 65+ outlet dessert chain.

The challenge wasn't beating competitors—it was convincing customers to try something they'd never heard of.

According to him, mounting pressure from her manager and demanding work schedules left her physically exhausted and emotionally drained, despite her strong professional credentials.

He noted that his wife had cleared one of India's toughest professional examinations and was fully capable of handling complex responsibilities, but was being judged for struggling to balance a demanding job with early motherhood.

The post struck a chord with many professionals and parents, raising broader questions about whether corporate workplaces provide enough support to employees returning from maternity leave.

It also highlighted the challenge faced by many working mothers who are expected to maintain the same productivity levels while managing childcare responsibilities, often with little flexibility or understanding from employers.

other waste materials to manufacture bricks and blocks without relying on traditional clay bricks or cement-heavy alternatives.

The startup's approach addresses two major environmental challenges simultaneously. On one hand, it helps industries manage large volumes of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.

On the other, it utilizes industrial CO₂ in the manufacturing process, locking carbon into the building materials and reducing the overall carbon footprint of construction.

Unlike conventional construction materials, which contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, CO2ncrete's products are designed to be low-carbon and more sustainable.

The founders believe that waste generated by industries should not be viewed as a disposal problem but as a valuable resource that can be transformed into affordable and environmentally friendly building materials.

Also trusted by IIT Bombay, Aditya Birla Capital Foundation, IIM A Ventures, Kotak Bizlab and various reputed organisation.

Rather than booking an expensive venue or hosting grand celebrations, the family decided to use the money to buy a house, turning the new home into both their wedding venue and the start of their married life.

According to the groom's brother, the decision was driven by the belief that owning a home would provide greater long-term value and financial security than a one-day celebration.

The wedding pheras were performed inside the flat, making the occasion both simple and deeply meaningful.

The story has resonated with many social media users, especially amid rising property prices and living costs.

Sharing a heartfelt message, Pandey said that after building Physics Wallah into one of India's leading edtech companies, he now wants to give back by helping talented individuals across the country.

He revealed that a dedicated contact number 8069158467, where aspiring founders can share their startup ideas, and he will personally try to support deserving entrepreneurs.

Emphasizing that his intention is to contribute to the country's growth rather than seek personal gain, Pandey said, "I don't want anything in return. Do something for India, do something for yourself."

The announcement has drawn attention across the startup community, as it seeks to remove one of the biggest barriers faced by early-stage innovators access to capital.

**Contact number mentioned on PhysicsWallah's official Instagram handle, check before you dial.**

The automotive sector is poised for another year of robust salary growth, with average pay hikes projected at 10.3% in 2026, reports The Economic Times, citing a Deloitte study. The survey covered more than 20 manufacturers representing over 95% of India's automobile market. The projected increase exceeds the expected 9.1% average across corporate India. Vehicle sales rose 12% in FY26, driven by GST rate cuts, stronger rural demand, and growing interest in electric vehicles, creating a favourable business environment for automakers, the report adds. "However, the current geopolitical scenario, combined with regulatory changes of labour code impact and minimum wage hike, is causing bottom-line pressures for OEMs," says Neelesh Gupta, Partner at Deloitte India.

More direct-to-consumer (D2C) startups are choosing to build their own factories instead of outsourcing production, Mint reports. They realise that by doing so, they can exercise better control over quality, inventory, and sales. Snack brand Eat Better Co, fashion and footwear company LittleBox India, travel gear brand Assembly Luggage, and skincare company Minimalist are among the startups that have taken this route. Industry experts say that starting a D2C brand is much easier today because of social media marketing, online marketplaces, and quick-commerce platforms. But what sets a brand apart is building unique expertise that competitors cannot replicate. “Owning manufacturing gives you proprietariness. You can also iterate much faster on products and R&D if you own a manufacturing facility,” said Managing Partner at Prath Ventures Harmanpreet Singh.