TIDE

What TIDE does

TIDE (Technology Informatics Design Endeavour) is a 30-year-old non-profit science and technology society registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, headquartered in Bangalore and operating across 15 Indian states. Founded in 1993 by retired IIT professor Dr. S Rajagopalan, TIDE was conceived as a link between research institutions and marginalized rural and peri-urban communities, co-designing technology interventions in three core portfolios: Sustainable Energies (smokeless biomass cookstoves such as the Sarala Stove adapted from the Indian Institute of Science design, Pyro commercial stoves, biomass dryers, and piggery/rice-puff stoves; 50,000+ household cookstoves and 5,000+ commercial stoves installed), Integrated Water Management (water and sewage treatment plants, floating wetlands, decentralized WASH for sanitation-worker communities, with active projects in Chikkaballapura and Chintamani), and Skilling & Livelihoods (Women's Technology Park, Digipreneur Fellowship Program, Areca plate-making enterprises, Rural Placement Centres; 750+ enterprises established). The organization also operates the Model School Program for environmental education in 33 government schools across five Karnataka districts.

The technology backbone layers digital platforms over these field programs: VidyutRakshaka (save.tide-india.org, co-developed with WRI India since 2015) provides electricity usage benchmarking and behaviorally informed recommendations for Bengaluru urban consumers (17-23% measured savings); TIDE Slate catalogs energy-efficient appliances; TIDE Manini supports rural digital entrepreneurs; and the WATSAN Observatory (wash-towns.com) monitors municipal water and sanitation data. TIDE holds 12A, 80G, and FCRA registrations, is a TIER 1 registered NGO with Give India, and is MCA-approved for CSR-funded activities.

TIDE's revenue model is grant-based and non-commercial. Operating inflows come from individual and corporate donations (Razorpay-enabled, with 12A/80G tax benefits), CSR-funded projects (Alstom Foundation, HCLFoundation, Microland Foundation, Societe Generale GSC, FANUC India, Polaris), DST and other government project grants (TIDE has been a core DST partner since the mid-1990s), and partnerships with international organizations (WWF, United Way, NABARD, BORDA South Asia, WRI India). Beneficiaries receive services free of direct cost. Distribution occurs via direct community engagement, government partnerships (City Municipal Councils, Karnataka Directorate of Municipal Administration), school programs, the Women's Technology Park, and self-serve digital platforms in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.

Name

TIDE

Legal name

Technology Informatics Design Endeavour

Website

https://tide-india.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TIDE (Technology Informatics Design Endeavour) is a 30-year-old Bangalore-based non-profit society that co-designs and deploys technology interventions — clean cookstoves, biomass dryers, WASH infrastructure, and digital platforms (VidyutRakshaka, TIDE Slate, WATSAN Observatory) — for marginalized rural, peri-urban, and urban consumers across 15 Indian states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Development Services

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Source Development & Conveyance (Intakes, Canals, Pipelines) (AFACAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Monitoring & Control (Dosing Systems, Remote Monitoring, Sensors) (BPABAJAK)

Keywords

• Clean cookstove technology
• Sustainable development services
• Energy efficiency programs
• Water and sanitation solutions
• Livelihoods and skilling

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangalore

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Funding: TIDE operates primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and philanthropic foundations. The organization accepts donations through online platforms like Razorpay and is registered for 12A, 80G tax benefits, making it attractive for donors.
2. CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Funding: TIDE is approved for undertaking CSR activities by MCA and partners with corporations for CSR-funded projects. Multiple partners including Alstom Foundation, Microland Foundation, and Societe Generale GSC provide project-based CSR funding.
3. Government Project Grants: TIDE is a core partner of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for over a decade. Receives project grants from various government departments for specific development initiatives.
4. Partnership and Grant Funding: Funding from international organizations like WWF, United Way, and various foundations for specific environmental and social development projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

TIDE develops, adapts and deploys technology-driven interventions across energy, environment and livelihoods for marginalized rural and peri-urban communities in India. Its offerings include biomass-based clean cookstoves (Sarala, Pyro lines), digital monitoring platforms (TIDE Slate, VidyutRakshaka, WATSAN Observatory, TIDE Manini), and program-based services covering integrated water management, skilling and entrepreneurship, and environmental education in schools.

Product overview

TIDE (Technology Informatics Design Endeavour) is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of technology-driven products and programs focused on sustainable development in Energy, Environment, and Livelihoods. The organization provides a suite of digital platforms including TIDE Slate (for energy-efficient appliance information), TIDE VR/VidyutRakshaka (for electricity tracking and energy conservation recommendations), TIDE Manini, and WATSAN Observatory (for water and sanitation monitoring). These digital tools are complemented by physical product offerings including the Sarala Stove and Pyro commercial cookstoves (biomass-based clean cooking solutions), biomass dryers for agricultural processing, and specialized stoves for piggery and rice puffing operations. TIDE also operates the Women's Technology Park as an incubation facility, while delivering program-based offerings in skilling and livelihoods (Digipreneurship, Rural Placement Centres, Areca plate-making enterprises), integrated water management solutions, and the Model School Program for environmental education. The overall architecture combines digital platforms for monitoring and engagement with physical products and community programs for on-ground impact.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TIDE Slate: Digital platform providing information on energy efficient appliances including biomass cookstoves and dryers.
• TIDE Manini
• TIDE VR
• WATSAN Observatory
• VidyutRakshaka
• Sarala Stove
• Women's Technology Park (WTP)

Products and services

• TIDE Slate Digital platform providing information on energy-efficient appliances such as biomass cookstoves and dryers, with unique registrations tracking usage. For households, small businesses, and partner organizations.
• TIDE Manini Digital tool developed by TIDE for community engagement and digital services for rural entrepreneurs and SHG members.
• VidyutRakshaka (TIDE VR) Online energy efficiency platform allowing Bengaluru consumers to track electricity usage, benchmark consumption and receive behaviorally-informed recommendations to reduce consumption. Delivered jointly with WRI India.
• WATSAN Observatory Platform focused on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) data and monitoring for towns and municipalities.
• Sarala Stove Smokeless biomass cookstove adapted from Indian Institute of Science design, co-created with communities for household and small-business thermal energy needs.
• Pyro Commercial Cookstoves Fuel-efficient commercial biomass cookstoves including the Pyro Tawa stove for roadside eateries and Pyro Bakery ovens for small bakeries.
• Biomass Dryers Biomass-based dryers for efficiently drying vegetables, fruits and fishes, coupled with training on standard packaging of the dried products.
• Piggery Stoves Biomass stoves designed specifically for small-scale piggeries for making pig feed.
• Rice Puff Unit Stoves Improved biomass stoves designed specifically for rice puff units to streamline the rice-puffing process.
• Women's Technology Park (WTP) Incubation facility and program empowering women through technology access, enterprise incubation, training space and pilot demonstrations for rural livelihoods.
• Digipreneurship Program Training program creating pathways for digital entrepreneurship and green enterprises, especially for women and youth in rural communities.
• Rural Placement Centre Service connecting rural communities with employment opportunities and market linkages in Tumkur, Shimoga and Chikkaballapur districts of Karnataka.
• Areca Plate-Making Enterprises Areca-based entrepreneurship program supporting alternate rural livelihoods through production of plates from areca sheaths in Shimoga region.
• Integrated Water Management Solutions Systematic WASH infrastructure and service delivery including construction and renovation of water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, and public toilets for City Municipal Councils.
• Model School Program Environmental education program redefining schools as sustainability hubs, equipping students with conservation knowledge, tools and skills through green campus initiatives in Karnataka and Chennai.

Quantifiable outcome

• 230,000+ people positively impacted across 30 years
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Tata Centre of Development at University of ChicagomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner in Bengaluru Urban Innovation Challenge Award along with Urban Development Department, Govt. of Karnataka. Supported TIDE's VidyutRakshaka scaling proposal.
• World Resources Institute (WRI) IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Joint development of VidyutRakshaka (VR) program launched in 2015. WRI and TIDE collaborated to create an energy efficiency program encouraging efficient behavior. Won Bengaluru Innovation Challenge Award in 2018 for proposal to scale VR for residential consumers.
• BORDA South AsiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater and sanitation partner for Integrated Water Management projects. Collaborates with TIDE on decentralized WASH solutions and infrastructure development in Chikkaballapura and Chintamani.
• United WaymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational nonprofit partnering with TIDE on community development initiatives. United Way Mumbai collaborates on various sustainability programs.
• WWFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Wide Fund for Nature partnership on environmental conservation and sustainability initiatives. Supports TIDE's work in energy efficiency and environmental protection.
• Department of Science and Technology, Government of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner for over a decade. DST supports TIDE's technology development and deployment initiatives across energy, environment, and livelihoods sectors.
• Directorate of Municipal Administration, KarnatakacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for Integrated Water Management projects. TIDE works with Directorate to improve systems, guidelines, and standards for WASH solutions.
• Karnataka State Commission for Safai KarmacharismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment commission partnership for sanitation worker welfare. TIDE supports improving conditions and facilities for sanitation workers.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc), BengalurucoreTechnology or IntegrationAcademic partner for technology development. Sarala stove was adapted from IISc design through collaboration. IISc's Dr. Hoysala N. Chanakya served on TIDE's General Body.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA.N. Jayachandra, TIDE board member since 2010, serves as advisor at JNCASR for special projects.

Scale indicators25 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Barefoot College: India-based non-profit training rural women as solar engineers and community educators. Comparable on rural skilling, women-led enterprise development, and decentralized technology deployment for underserved communities.
• PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action): Indian non-profit promoting sustainable livelihoods for rural poor through community institutions and technology. Highly comparable on livelihood-uplift, women's SHG empowerment, and rural skilling models that overlap with TIDE's Digipreneur and WTP programs.
• SELCO Foundation: Indian sustainable-energy non-profit working on energy access for underserved communities through technology, financing, and livelihood linkages. Directly comparable to TIDE on energy poverty focus, decentralized technology deployment, and the NGO model addressing marginalized Indian populations.
• BAIF Development Research Foundation: Large Indian development non-profit working on livelihood, agriculture, and community development across rural India. TIDE's senior staff previously worked at BAIF (e.g., 13 years in Jyothi T.B.'s tenure); directly comparable on rural SHG formation, livelihood training, and agriculture-linked enterprise development.
• Gram Vikas: Indian non-profit focused on rural water, sanitation, and renewable energy in tribal and marginalized communities. Directly comparable to TIDE's WASH and IWM work on water infrastructure, sanitation, and community-led sustainability.
• Development Alternatives: Indian non-profit designing and deploying technology solutions for sustainable livelihoods, clean energy, and habitat. Operates with similar community co-creation approach, technology innovation, and livelihood-uplift mission across rural India.

Broad incumbents

• TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute): Large, established Indian research institute working on energy, environment, and sustainable development. Comparable as TIDE's Executive Director Dr. Sridar Babu previously led programs at TERI; both work on sustainability, energy efficiency, and policy with similar science-and-technology framing.
• World Resources Institute (WRI) India: Global research organization with significant India operations focused on energy, climate, and sustainable cities. Co-developed VidyutRakshaka with TIDE; comparable as a partner and adjacent operator in energy-efficiency and behavior-change programs.

Emerging players

• envirofit International: Social enterprise designing and distributing clean cookstoves and biomass fuels in developing markets. Comparable on clean cookstove product design, distribution at the base of the pyramid, and CO2 mitigation metrics — overlapping with TIDE's Sarala and Pyro stove lines.

Others

• Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN): Indian network/ecosystem organization supporting clean energy enterprises serving underserved communities. TIDE's former Chairperson Svati Bhogle now chairs CLEAN, indicating deep ecosystem ties; both operate in the decentralized clean energy space with overlapping stakeholders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TIDE_NGO
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/tideblr/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/TIDE.NGO
• Instagraminstagram.com/tide.ngo/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TIDE