IIT Grads Win $180K for Plant-Based Air Purifier

Two engineers barely out of their twenties walked onto Shark Tank India and claimed they were 45 and 50 years old, shocking the investors until they explained the grim reality: air pollution in Indian cities is aging lungs so fast that their biological ages had caught up with middle age.

Sanjay Maurya and Shubham Singh weren't exaggerating for effect. Research shows that air pollution in Delhi can shorten lives by almost 10 years, and the problem is spreading across India.

But these IIT graduates came prepared with a solution. Their startup UBreathe creates air purifiers that combine living plants with technology to capture pollutants more effectively than mechanical filters.

Traditional air purifiers only filter dust and create toxic waste when disposed. UBreathe's devices boost the natural air cleaning abilities of plants through improved soil breathability, capturing a wider range of contaminants while being environmentally friendly.

The company offers four models designed for different spaces. UBreathe Mini and Life work in homes and offices, while Wall and 360 versions tackle larger semi-open areas like metro stations and airports.

Founded in 2018 by graduates from IIT Kanpur, IIM Bangalore, MIT Media Labs, and Harvard School of Design, the team wanted to build something that could generate real social impact. They chose to tackle India's air quality crisis with nature-based technology.

Their research earned backing from major institutions including IIT Ropar and government ministries. The technology has been tested by accredited laboratories and reviewed by faculty at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi.

After their pitch, entrepreneur Namita Thapar invested 1.5 crore rupees (about $180,000) in the company. The funding will help UBreathe expand into schools and offices across India.

The Ripple Effect

More than 1,000 customers already use UBreathe purifiers in their daily lives. The company has filed six patents in India and Europe, showing how homegrown innovation can tackle global environmental challenges.

The team plans to take on larger projects with both private and public schools in coming months. Each installation means cleaner air for students, teachers, and staff who spend hours indoors every day.

Their vision extends beyond India, aiming to bring plant-based air purification technology to markets worldwide where indoor air quality threatens public health.

Sometimes the best solutions combine ancient wisdom with modern science, and these young innovators are proving that clean air doesn't have to cost the Earth.