SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society)

What SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) does

SwitchON Foundation, registered as Environment Conservation Society, is an India-based non-profit established in 2008 and headquartered in Kolkata, with regional offices in Ranchi and New Delhi. It operates as an integrated climate-NGO across 8 Indian states (West Bengal, Jharkhand, Manipur, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Meghalaya, Odisha) through a 175+ member team, delivering programs at the intersection of climate-resilient agriculture, distributed renewable energy, green livelihoods, and skills development. Its core offerings are three flagship programs: Climate Resilient Agriculture powered by Distributed Renewable Energy (CRA-DRE), which combines regenerative farming, FPO formation, and solar solutions for small and marginal farmers; the Green Skills Program, providing industry-linked training and certification in solar, EV, and allied sectors under government schemes (PMKVY, DDU-GKY, Suryamitra); and Greenovation Hub, an accelerator for climate-tech and clean-energy startups supported by IIT Bombay, IIMB-NSRCEL, T-Hub, UNIDO, and India Climate Collaborative. Supporting initiatives include Move for Earth (awareness), ONergy Solar, ONFarm Connect FPOs, ONganic, ON Skills, and verticals in Low Carbon Steel and Sustainable Mobility.

The organization's business model is grant- and partnership-driven rather than commercial. Revenue is generated through institutional grants from multilateral (UNDP, UNIDO) and bilateral agencies (GIZ), CSR funding from corporates in renewable energy, steel, and agriculture, government implementation agreements (MNRE, NABARD, state agriculture departments, REDAs), and fee-based training program management under central skill-development schemes. No commercial pricing is charged to beneficiaries. Go-to-market is community-led and channel-partner-mediated: direct field operations are combined with partnerships such as the PNB solar-pump financing MoU and NABARD-supported FPO development. At scale, SwitchON reports 100,000+ farmers reached, 88 FPOs enabled, 2,500+ rural women entrepreneurs supported, and 10,000+ youth trained. The organization does not disclose AI/ML technology dependencies; its underlying 'technology' stack is centered on solar-powered DRE hardware (pico lights, solar pumps, processing units), modular training curricula, and field-based demonstration methods rather than software products.

Name

SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society)

Legal name

Environment Conservation Society

Website

https://switchon.org.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SwitchON Foundation is a Kolkata-headquartered non-profit (est. 2008) operating across 8 Indian states with 175+ staff, delivering integrated climate-resilient agriculture, distributed renewable energy, green skills training, and a climate-tech accelerator for smallholder farmers, rural women, youth, and FPOs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental and Climate Non-Profit Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs (BPADALAF)

Keywords

• Climate-resilient agriculture
• Distributed renewable energy
• Green skills training
• Farmer producer organizations
• Rural women entrepreneurship

Headquarters

HQ city

Kolkata

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary revenue stream from institutional grants and funding from organizations such as UN agencies (UNDP), bilateral development agencies (GIZ), and international foundations for environmental and social impact programs.
2. CSR Funding: Corporate Social Responsibility funding from companies engaged in sustainability initiatives, particularly in the renewable energy, steel, and agricultural sectors.
3. Government Partnerships: Implementation agreements with government departments (MNRE, state agriculture departments, NABARD) for program execution and capacity building services.
4. Training Services: Fee-based green skills training programs under government schemes (DDU-GKY, PMKVY, Suryamitra) with placement services generating program management fees.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

SwitchON Foundation is an Indian non-profit (registered as Environment Conservation Society) that delivers community-led programs at the intersection of climate-resilient agriculture, distributed renewable energy, green skills training, and climate entrepreneurship. It works with farmers, rural women entrepreneurs, and youth across 8 Indian states through three flagship programs (CRA-DRE, Green Skills, Greenovation Hub) and supporting initiatives in FPO strengthening, tea garden energy access, low-carbon steel, and sustainable mobility.

Product overview

SwitchON Foundation operates as an NGO with multiple interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include: Climate Resilient Agriculture powered by Distributed Renewable Energy (CRA-DRE) as the primary integrated program combining sustainable farming with solar solutions; the Green Skills Program providing workforce training in solar, EV, and green sectors; and the Greenovation Hub serving as an accelerator for eco-entrepreneurs. Supporting initiatives include Move for Earth (awareness movement), Sustainable Farming Clusters, Rural Women Entrepreneurs support, FPO strengthening, Energy Security in Tea Gardens, and Sustainable Mobility programs. These programs work synergistically to address climate change through grassroots interventions in agriculture, energy, skills development, and environmental awareness across 8 states in India.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Greenovation Hub: SwitchON Foundation's flagship accelerator that nurtures eco-entrepreneurs and climate innovators reimagining India's green economy
• Green Skills
• Climate Resilient Agriculture powered by Distributed Renewable Energy
• ONergy Solar
• ONFarm Connect
• ONganic
• ON Skills
• INDIA CAN
• Move For Earth
• EEWA Network

Products and services

• Climate Resilient Agriculture powered by Distributed Renewable Energy (CRA-DRE)

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ farmers empowered and reached
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2024MoU for empowering students and boosting environmental education in Jharkhand schools.
• Koru FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 January 2024Collaboration for multi-stakeholder meet on environmental sustainability with focus on renewable energy, waste management, and green steels.
• Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2023MoU for holistic rural development including Move for Earth Symposium events, environmental education, and climate action initiatives.
• Skill Council for Green JobscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2023Collaboration to promote skills and development among youth in green jobs sector, including training and certification programs.
• UNIDOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Greenovation Hub for nurturing eco-entrepreneurs and climate innovators in renewable energy, clean technology, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation.
• IIT BombaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in Greenovation Hub accelerator program providing technical guidance and mentorship to climate innovators.
• IIMB-NSRCELcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Greenovation Hub providing incubation support and mentorship for green startups and climate entrepreneurs.
• T-HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Greenovation Hub providing accelerator services and ecosystem support for climate-tech startups.
• India Climate CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in climate action initiatives and Greenovation Hub supporting climate innovation and entrepreneurship.
• GIZ IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for implementing climate-smart agriculture programs and organizing banker workshops on solar irrigation financing.
• Meghalaya Basin Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for empowering FPOs in Meghalaya along with NABARD and NCDC.
• KPMG in IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for launching Eastern India's first electric truck and decarbonization initiatives in the steel sector.
• GoonjsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Greenovation Hub ecosystem supporting climate-resilient and regenerative enterprises.
• EarthON FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Greenovation Hub supporting eco-entrepreneurs and climate innovators.
• NGIN (Natural Gas Innovation Network)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Greenovation Hub accelerator program for climate innovation.
• SELCO FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for distributed renewable energy solutions and solar-powered technologies for rural communities.
• Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level partnership for promoting renewable energy, solar pumps, and DRE expo in Ranchi.
• Indian Institute of Urban Spatial Technology (IUSSTF)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization shown in key partners section.
• OTELP (Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods Programme)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for tribal empowerment and livelihood programs in Odisha.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner for skill development and training programs under central government scheme.
• Utkarsh BanglasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for skill development and employment programs in West Bengal.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SELCO Foundation: India-based nonprofit promoting decentralized solar energy access for underserved communities, with a parallel focus on solar entrepreneurship, skills, and sustainable livelihoods. Highly comparable mission and rural DRE focus; notably also a listed partner of SwitchON.
• PRADAN: National-level NGO working with rural poor communities on livelihoods, agriculture, and women's empowerment across multiple Indian states. Comparable in operating model (community-led, women-centered, multi-state grassroots programs) and target beneficiaries.
• BAIF Development Research Foundation: Large Indian development organization working on agriculture, livestock, natural resource management, and rural livelihoods across many states. Comparable integrated rural development model with comparable scale and geographic reach.
• Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR): Indian NGO focused on climate-resilient agriculture, watershed management, and rural livelihoods. Strongly comparable to SwitchON's CRA-DRE program in target audience (small/marginal farmers) and integrated climate adaptation approach.
• Development Alternatives: Indian social enterprise and NGO focused on sustainable development, clean technology, and livelihoods. Comparable mission around climate-resilient development and renewable energy, with both field and policy engagement.

Broad incumbents

• TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute): Large, established Indian research and policy institute working on energy, environment, and sustainable development. Comparable as a broad environmental/climate NGO, but operates at much larger scale with deep policy and research orientation rather than grassroots field programs.
• Natural Resources Defense Council India (NRDC): International environmental advocacy organization with work relevant to India's clean energy, climate, and agriculture transition. Comparable broad climate mission but functions more as an advocacy and technical advisory entity than a field-implementing NGO.
• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE): India-based public interest research and advocacy organization focused on environment, sustainability, and climate. Comparable environmental advocacy mission and India-wide footprint, but oriented toward research and policy rather than field implementation.
• WRI India: India arm of World Resources Institute working on climate, energy, food, forests, water, and cities. Comparable focus areas (sustainable agriculture, clean energy, mobility) and policy research orientation, with much larger institutional footprint.

Regional players

• Seva Mandir: Rajasthan-based grassroots NGO working on rural livelihoods, natural resource management, and community empowerment. Comparable in grassroots community-led model and integrated rural development, though regionally concentrated in one state.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SwitchONIndia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCV9Gn1oEdo6r3en14ISUe6A
• Facebookfacebook.com/SwitchONIndia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/switchonindia
• Instagraminstagram.com/switchonindia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society)