SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society)
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersKolkata, India
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) firmographics
Firmographics- 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
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) industry classification
Industry- 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
Where SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kolkata
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- 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.
- CSR Funding: Corporate Social Responsibility funding from companies engaged in sustainability initiatives, particularly in the renewable energy, steel, and agricultural sectors.
- Government Partnerships: Implementation agreements with government departments (MNRE, state agriculture departments, NABARD) for program execution and capacity building services.
- 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
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society)
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC)coreMoU for empowering students and boosting environmental education in Jharkhand schools.
- Koru FoundationsupportingCollaboration for multi-stakeholder meet on environmental sustainability with focus on renewable energy, waste management, and green steels.
- Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS)coreMoU for holistic rural development including Move for Earth Symposium events, environmental education, and climate action initiatives.
- Skill Council for Green JobscoreCollaboration to promote skills and development among youth in green jobs sector, including training and certification programs.
- UNIDOcorePartnership through Greenovation Hub for nurturing eco-entrepreneurs and climate innovators in renewable energy, clean technology, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation.
- IIT BombaycoreStrategic partner in Greenovation Hub accelerator program providing technical guidance and mentorship to climate innovators.
- IIMB-NSRCELcorePartner in Greenovation Hub providing incubation support and mentorship for green startups and climate entrepreneurs.
- T-HubcorePartner in Greenovation Hub providing accelerator services and ecosystem support for climate-tech startups.
- India Climate CollaborativecorePartner in climate action initiatives and Greenovation Hub supporting climate innovation and entrepreneurship.
- GIZ IndiacorePartnership for implementing climate-smart agriculture programs and organizing banker workshops on solar irrigation financing.
- Meghalaya Basin Development AuthoritycoreCollaboration for empowering FPOs in Meghalaya along with NABARD and NCDC.
- KPMG in IndiacorePartnership for launching Eastern India's first electric truck and decarbonization initiatives in the steel sector.
- GoonjsupportingPartner in Greenovation Hub ecosystem supporting climate-resilient and regenerative enterprises.
- EarthON FoundationsupportingPartner in Greenovation Hub supporting eco-entrepreneurs and climate innovators.
- NGIN (Natural Gas Innovation Network)supportingPartner in Greenovation Hub accelerator program for climate innovation.
- SELCO FoundationsupportingPartnership for distributed renewable energy solutions and solar-powered technologies for rural communities.
- Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA)coreState-level partnership for promoting renewable energy, solar pumps, and DRE expo in Ranchi.
- Indian Institute of Urban Spatial Technology (IUSSTF)supportingPartner organization shown in key partners section.
- OTELP (Odisha Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods Programme)supportingPartnership for tribal empowerment and livelihood programs in Odisha.
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)coreImplementation partner for skill development and training programs under central government scheme.
- Utkarsh BanglasupportingPartner for skill development and employment programs in West Bengal.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) social profiles
Digital presenceSwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society)
What does SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) do?
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.
Is SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) a public or private company?
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) founded?
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) was founded in 2008. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) based?
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) is headquartered in Kolkata, India, in the Asia region.
How does SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are CSR Funding, government Partnerships and training Services.
Who are SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society)'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SELCO Foundation, PRADAN, BAIF Development Research Foundation, Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) and Development Alternatives. Broad incumbents are TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), Natural Resources Defense Council India (NRDC), Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and WRI India. Seva Mandir is listed as a regional player.
Does SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) have an API?
No public API is recorded for SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society).
What industry is SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society) in?
SwitchON Foundation (Environment Conservation Society)'s product category is Environmental and Climate Non-Profit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAF, Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAD, Forestry & Reforestation. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8600.