Founded in 2022 by Vineet Dravid, Prajakta Sabnis, and Prashant Kumar Srivastava, Oorja is making waves in the fields of predictive analytics and solar irrigation services. The startup aims to revolutionize engineering analytics while empowering smallholder farmers through innovative technology.
In the realm of engineering, Oorja focuses on merging physics-based modeling with machine learning to create cutting-edge software for computer-aided engineering (CAE). This approach enhances the accuracy and efficiency of predictive analytics, particularly for the electric vehicle (EV) sector. With battery costs accounting for up to 50% of an EV’s total price, Oorja’s technology promises to optimize battery design and mitigate risks, such as thermal runaway. In just over a year, the company has attracted notable clients across India, the US, and Europe, securing approximately $1.5 million in seed funding from investors including Micelio, Axilor Ventures, and Java Capital.
As the startup evolves, it aims to simplify its product for engineers through user-friendly interfaces, with plans for a low-code platform that allows customization to meet specific client needs. Alok Chauhan, principal at Micelio Technology Fund, emphasizes Oorja’s potential to become a global leader in engineering analytics, addressing the increasing complexity and time demands in the design process.
On another front, Oorja has made significant strides in the agricultural sector. The company recently raised $1.5 million in Pre-Series A funding to expand its solar irrigation services, which have already proven instrumental for smallholder farmers in India. Utilizing a Pay-Per-Use model, Oorja’s decentralized solar infrastructure provides affordable irrigation and milling services, boosting crop yields and farmer incomes.
The latest funding round, backed by impact investors such as Acumen and the Swiss Re Foundation, will facilitate the deployment of agri-energy infrastructure and the launch of a B2B2C vertical aimed at agribusinesses and SMEs. Oorja has set ambitious goals to implement 10,000 agri-solar projects by the end of the decade, significantly impacting the livelihoods of 1 million people in the Global South while preventing approximately 500,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions.
Co-founders Amit Saraogi and Clementine Chambon express their commitment to decarbonizing agriculture and supporting smallholder farmers through accessible solar solutions and climate-smart advisory services. As Oorja continues to expand its offerings and customer base, it remains dedicated to creating sustainable solutions that benefit both the environment and marginalized communities.
