Sustain Plus

What Sustain Plus does

Sustain Plus Energy Foundation is an India-registered nonprofit foundation established in 2019 and headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It operates as a cross-sectoral integrator that deploys distributed renewable energy (DRE) and clean technology solutions to underserved rural communities across 11+ Indian states including Jharkhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. The organization's portfolio spans solar irrigation systems, solar drinking water systems, biogas units (Sistema 6 and flexible bio-digesters), clean cooking stoves (HRS Eco-mini), e-rickshaws and e-karts, hybrid solar-grid sewing machines, solar-powered agricultural equipment (insect traps, poultry shed lighting), healthcare energy solutions for CHCs/PHCs, and agricultural processing infrastructure including turmeric processing and organic fertilizer production. Sustain Plus works through a partnership model engaging community organizations, NGOs (Haritika, CInI, BAIF, Agragati, WASMO), technology providers (Khetworks, SMV Green Solutions, Selco India), government agencies, and financial institutions to facilitate access, financing, and after-sales support.

The organization is primarily grant-funded rather than commercially revenue-generating, and its core GTM motion is community-led. It identifies solutions with proven impact potential, engages technology providers to adapt them for contextual deployment, and unlocks government subsidies (notably the KUSUM Scheme which covers 70% of solar irrigation costs) and financial institution credit to make assets affordable. End-users typically contribute 10-46% of asset costs through upfront installments and monthly payments (e.g., Rs. 50-60/month for drinking water services, Rs. 3,000 upfront plus installments for biogas and stoves). Pricing is asset-by-asset with no standardized public pricing. To date, Sustain Plus has deployed 26,000+ assets across 50 proven technologies in 5,000+ villages, impacting 365,000+ households, with a stated mission to reach 10 million underserved Indians by 2030.

Name

Sustain Plus

Legal name

Sustain Plus Energy Foundation

Website

https://sustainplus.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sustain Plus Energy Foundation is an India-based nonprofit that deploys distributed renewable energy and clean technology solutions—including solar irrigation, biogas, clean cooking, e-mobility, and agricultural processing—to underserved rural households, smallholder farmers, and women micro-entrepreneurs across 11+ Indian states, funded primarily through grants and government subsidy facilitation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Energy Access Services

akta.pro primary industry

Renewable Energy & Clean Tech Access (Off-grid, Energy Poverty Solutions) (BPAGALAE)

Keywords

• Distributed renewable energy
• Rural energy access
• Clean cooking solutions
• Solar irrigation systems
• Sustainable livelihoods

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangalore

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant funding and foundation support: Sustain Plus operates as a nonprofit organization (Sustain Plus Energy Foundation) primarily funded through grants, donations, and partnerships rather than commercial revenue generation
2. Government scheme facilitation: The organization helps unlock government subsidies (such as KUSUM Scheme) for farmers to access solar irrigation systems, with Sustain Plus supporting portions of the cost
3. Financial services intermediation: Facilitates access to financial services and credit for end-users to afford technology solutions through partnerships with financial institutions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sustain Plus is a nonprofit cross-sectoral integrator that deploys distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions for underserved rural communities in India. It bundles solar irrigation, clean cooking, drinking water, e-mobility, healthcare energy, and productive-use equipment into integrated programs, linking end users with technology providers, financiers, and government subsidy schemes. Its work targets small farmers, rural households, women micro-entrepreneurs, schools, and primary health centers across multiple Indian states.

Product overview

Sustain Plus Energy Foundation operates as a cross-sectoral integrator deploying technology-based solutions for underserved communities in India. The organization does not offer a unified software product but rather manages a portfolio of physical technology solutions organized around thematic areas: Production Hub (agricultural processing infrastructure), Clean Mobility (e-rickshaws), Health (healthcare energy access), and Rural Micro-Business (entrepreneurship-enabling technologies). Key technology solutions include solar irrigation systems, solar drinking water systems, clean cooking solutions (biogas, efficient stoves), e-mobility vehicles, healthcare energy solutions, and solar-powered agricultural equipment. The approach involves community engagement, partnership with solution providers, ecosystem building for implementation and financial support, and collaboration with government agencies and NGOs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar Irrigation Systems Solar-powered irrigation pump systems deployed for small and marginal farmers in rural India to replace diesel pumps, typically paired with financing and government subsidy facilitation under schemes such as PM-KUSUM.
• Solar Drinking Water Systems Solar-powered drinking water purification and pumping systems installed for rural communities lacking reliable potable water supply and grid power.
• Clean Cooking Solutions Biogas-based and improved biomass cookstoves deployed for rural households, particularly women-led households, to replace firewood and kerosene and reduce indoor air pollution.
• Clean Mobility (Solar-Charged E-Rickshaws) Solar-powered charging infrastructure and end-user financing support for e-rickshaws operated by rural drivers and micro-entrepreneurs for goods and passenger transport.
• Healthcare Energy Solutions Solar power systems installed at Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Primary Health Centers (PHCs) to ensure reliable electricity for vaccine cold chain, lighting, fans, and medical equipment in rural areas.
• School Solar Electrification Solar power installations at rural schools to provide lighting, fans, and power for digital learning tools, replacing unreliable grid or kerosene-based electricity.
• Solar-Powered Productive-Use Equipment Solar-powered productive-use equipment including sewing machines, poultry lighting, and insect traps deployed for rural women micro-entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers to support income-generating activities.
• Production Hub and Organic Fertilizer Solutions Biogas-based production hub infrastructure that converts agricultural and household waste into clean cooking fuel and organic fertilizer for rural communities and farmers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 365,000+ households directly impacted through technology deployment
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• GOGLAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for organizing PURE Dialogues (Productive Use of Renewable Energy) regional consultations, bringing together stakeholders to discuss energy access and livelihood opportunities
• UNDPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of PURE Dialogues regional consultation on productive use of renewable energy
• Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal implementation partner for various programs including drinking water schemes in Dahod and Gujarat, solar irrigation in Chhatarpur, and community projects across multiple states
• SELCO FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Energy Enabled Production Hub events focusing on strengthening agricultural ecosystems through clean energy solutions
• Social AlphacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for organizing events on Accelerating Livelihoods & Development Action through Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE)
• National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Impact Failure Conclave 2022 on Learning from Scaling Biogas in Rural Ecosystems; partnership for biogas programs reaching 120 households in Rajasthan
• HaritikacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal NGO based in Madhya Pradesh committed to integrated water resource management and watershed development; implementing solar irrigation programs in Chhatarpur and Jhansi districts
• The Aga Khan FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for implementing 50 community irrigation pumps in Bahraich, providing reliable irrigation solutions to nearly 900 families
• SA-DHANsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for agricultural financing opportunities and production hub programs
• Selco IndiacoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for developing hybrid sewing machines that run on both grid electricity and solar power for tailoring enterprises in Jharkhand
• AgragaticoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal partner implementing hybrid sewing machine program for 50 tailoring households in Maganpur, Jharkhand
• SMV Green SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationVaranasi-based social enterprise providing clean-tech e-rickshaw solutions for last-mile mobility in four districts of Uttar Pradesh
• BAIFcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for introducing biogas cum slurry-based organic fertilizers in Maharashtra, combining waste-to-value solutions with agricultural productivity
• WASMOcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWater and Sanitation Management Organization partner for reviving drinking water schemes using DRE in Dahod, Gujarat
• SISAsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for installing solar water pumps and distribution systems in Ved village of Halol, Gujarat
• KhetworkscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology provider for sub-HP solar pumps designed for surface water pumping, enabling small farmers with less than 1 acre of land to access affordable irrigation
• Jharkhand Women Self Supporting Poultry Co-operative Federation (JWSPCFL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative federation for solarizing 600 poultry sheds across six districts in Jharkhand, supporting women poultry farmers with reliable lighting solutions
• Local Government BodiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local government bodies to improve healthcare service delivery in rural communities through infrastructure development and renewable energy solutions

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Digital Green: Nonprofit that uses video and digital tools to improve agricultural practices and livelihoods among smallholder farmers in India and East Africa. Comparable target beneficiary (smallholder farmers) and community-extension model, though focus is on knowledge rather than hardware deployment.
• Frontier Markets: Last-mile distribution platform for clean energy and livelihood products in rural India using a network of women entrepreneurs (Meraki Didi). Highly comparable end-customer and women-empowerment approach, but structured as a commercial distribution company.
• d.light: Global pay-as-you-go solar home system provider serving off-grid households across Africa and Asia. Comparable end-customer (low-income off-grid households) and product category (solar lanterns, solar home systems, clean cooking), but commercial distribution model differs from Sustain Plus's grant-funded integrator approach.
• Sun King (Greenlight Planet): One of the world's largest off-grid solar energy companies, distributing affordable solar lanterns and home systems via pay-as-you-go financing in Africa and South Asia. Competes for the same end-beneficiaries as Sustain Plus's household-level DRE deployments.
• Husk Power Systems: For-profit social enterprise deploying mini-grids and distributed renewable energy systems in rural India and East Africa. Comparable technology stack (solar + biomass) and target customer base (off-grid rural communities), but operates as a commercial utility rather than grant-funded foundation.

Direct peers

• SELCO Foundation: Bengaluru-based nonprofit deploying sustainable energy solutions to underserved Indian communities; Sustain Plus is also a co-organizer with SELCO Foundation on Energy Enabled Production Hub events, and both deploy DRE assets with social enterprise models. Most direct comparable on mission and model.
• Barefoot College: Nonprofit that trains rural 'Barefoot Engineers' (often grandmothers) to install, maintain, and own solar electrification infrastructure in off-grid villages. Closely comparable to Sustain Plus's community-led deployment and women-empowerment approach to DRE.
• SELCO India: Social enterprise providing decentralized solar energy solutions to underserved households in India; Sustain Plus partners with Selco India as a technology provider for hybrid sewing machines, making them a technology/peer comparable in the DRE space.
• PRADAN: Professional Assistance for Development Action — Indian NGO promoting sustainable rural livelihoods through community institutions, women's self-help groups, and livelihood programs. Highly comparable on integrated rural development mission across similar geographies.
• Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI): Tata Trusts initiative working on rural livelihoods across central and eastern Indian tribal belts. Sustain Plus partners with CInI for drinking water schemes and solar irrigation, making CInI both a partner and a structural peer in integrated rural development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SustainPlusSDG7
• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL8ofX8D07ZVzCcSkDyp6DxBCPHf8kpNiI&si=RR2BqUYU3ThTPK5t
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sustain-plus-energy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Sustain Plus