Innovating India’s first bio-based air purification technology with a mission to fight pollution, build awareness, and create scalable clean-air solutions.
On days when India’s biggest cities disappear into thick layers of smog and children are told to stay home because the air has turned hazardous, most people simply accept the situation. But two individuals refused to look away.
For Dr. Rajalakshmi Subramaniyam and Mr. Umamahesh, co-founders of Aathma Pranavaayu Pvt. Ltd., this crisis was a call to action.
“Air pollution is the next expected pandemic. If we are not reacting now, we can't escape from the distractor,” says Dr. Rajalakshmi.
It was a sentiment echoed and supported fully by Mr. Umamahesh, who shared the same urgency to create a sustainable, science-driven solution.
Together, the two co-founders are shaping one of India’s most exciting clean-tech innovations.
Dr. Rajalakshmi earned her PhD in Chemistry from CSIR–CLRI, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Konan University in Japan. Her academic journey continued as a DST Inspire Faculty at Anna University, where she focused heavily on environmental and chemical research.
Her scientific expertise laid the foundation for the bio-based technology that Aathma Pranavaayu is now known for.
Equally crucial to the company’s journey is Mr. Umamahesh, who has been a driving force behind product development, operational planning, and implementation strategy.
While Dr. Rajalakshmi brought advanced research knowledge, Mr. Umamahesh paired it with practical engineering instincts, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to environmental impact.
Together, they form a balanced team of scientific insight and strategic execution.
The co-founders witnessed India’s mounting air quality crisis becoming more alarming each year. The moment schools began declaring holidays because of toxic air levels, they realized the country urgently needed a sustainable and accessible solution.
Two major insights motivated them:
Air pollution threatens public health at an unprecedented scale.
Clean-tech awareness remains limited, and people often misunderstand or underestimate the issue.
“Clean tech or climate tech is a new era. People find it difficult to understand the startup or the work,” the co-founders explain.
This gap became their mission.
Aathma Pranavaayu stands out for pioneering bio-based air purification in India. Instead of relying on chemical filters, which require frequent replacement and generate waste, the co-founders developed systems that use biological processes to purify the air naturally.
“We have three indoor air purifiers and an outdoor bio-air purifier unit installed in Bangalore for pilots. All these are bio air purifiers, completely different from conventional chemical filter-based purifiers. It is the first of its kind in India.”
Bio-purifiers use living biological systems to:
Absorb pollutants
Break them down naturally
Improve overall air quality
This approach is:
Environmentally sustainable
Cost-effective
Long-lasting
Suitable for homes, offices and public spaces
Their outdoor unit in Bangalore is one of India's earliest installations of a large-scale bio-purification system. It demonstrates not only the science but also the practicality of clean-air innovation in real settings.
The toughest challenge the co-founders faced was educating people about the severity of the air pollution crisis.
“Making people understand we need to find a solution for this problem,” they recall, “and getting investors for the project.”
Convincing stakeholders to support a new category of technology required patience and persistence.
Despite early challenges, the innovation caught national attention. Major recognitions included:
Startup India Seed Fund
Tamil Nadu Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Voucher Grant
IIT Kanpur Grants
“These milestones helped us bring the product into the market,” the co-founders share with pride.
The co-founders’ vision extends far beyond indoor air purification.
“All the national highways will have our air purifier, where it acts as a decor cum carbon sequestration unit.”
They imagine highways lined with smart, eco-friendly purifiers that capture carbon, reduce pollution levels, and beautify the landscape.
This is not just a product roadmap — it is a vision for environmental infrastructure at a national scale.
Having navigated the complexities of research, innovation and clean-tech adoption, the co-founders offer grounded advice:
Solve a real problem
Meaningful ventures start with real needs.
Be prepared to educate your audience
When your solution is new, awareness-building becomes part of the mission.
Persistence is everything
Funding and recognition take time. Staying committed is essential.
Collaboration creates stronger innovation
Their journey is proof that complementary strengths make powerful breakthroughs possible.
What makes Aathma Pranavaayu’s story powerful is the synergy between both co-founders.
Dr. Rajalakshmi’s deep scientific knowledge and Mr. Umamahesh’s strategic and technical understanding create a partnership that is redefining air purification in India.
Their shared commitment to addressing one of the country’s most urgent environmental challenges has resulted in a solution that is both impactful and scalable.
Together, they are not just building air purifiers — they are shaping the future of clean-air technology in India.
Aathma Pranavaayu Pvt. Ltd. is a mission powered by two dedicated co-founders who believe clean air should be accessible to everyone. Their work continues to inspire innovation in India’s climate-tech ecosystem.
To follow their journey or explore their innovations, connect through the links below.
Website:www.pranavaayu.com
LinkedIn (Dr. Rajalakshmi):
https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?trk=d_flagship3_profile_self_view_public_profile
I am an entrepreneur, marketer, and mentor with a certification in entrepreneurship from IIT Delhi, one of the most prestigious institutions in India. I have a passion for connecting businesses with their ideal customers, solving real-world problems, and inspiring the next generation of founders.I founded and lead DevoByte, a digital marketing agency that provides a range of services, from SEO a
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