What SELCO Foundation does

SELCO Foundation is a Bangalore-headquartered charitable trust registered in India on October 5, 2010, that designs and deploys decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions for underserved communities across India. The organization's portfolio spans solar-powered systems across multiple verticals: livelihoods (agriculture, animal husbandry, crafts/textiles, micro-businesses, cooling), healthcare (the Energy for Health program with India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), education (eShala digital education, sustainable schools and anganwadis), household energy access (solar home systems, mini-grids), and built environments (passive and active design for dignified work in extreme climates). Rather than selling individual products commercially, the foundation operates as an ecosystem builder, integrating 120+ context-specific technology solutions with inclusive finance, skills training, incubation, and a network of 200+ partner organizations spanning government ministries, NGOs, FPOs, and international development funders.

The foundation's core technology stack centers on context-specific solar PV systems paired with energy-efficient medical, agricultural, and processing equipment, typically with battery backup for resilience. Notable proprietary platforms include Millet Mentor AI (a multilingual generative AI tool developed with Apurva.ai and WASSAN for millet entrepreneurs), Solutions Portal, SELCO Labs, and Catalysetech. Impact metrics cited by the organization include 900,000 people with improved livelihoods, 4.8 million people with access to improved health services, and 8,000 healthcare facilities powered nationwide; the Energy for Health program targets 25,000 facilities across 12 states.

SELCO Foundation generates revenue primarily through foundation grants and donations under India's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), supplemented by technical consultancy services to government bodies, NGOs, and development organizations. As a non-profit, it does not employ traditional commercial pricing; solutions are implemented through partnerships with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, state governments, international development organizations (DOEN, IKEA Foundation, GIZ, IRENA, Zayed Sustainability Prize), and grassroots NGOs. The organization is led by CEO Harish Hande and CFO V K Joby, with a board of trustees including the CEO of C-CAMP, the Dean of Srishti School of Design, and a former Deputy Managing Director of NABARD.

Name

SELCO Foundation

Legal name

Selco Foundation

Website

https://selcofoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SELCO Foundation is a Bangalore-based non-profit that designs and deploys decentralized renewable energy solutions across healthcare, agriculture, livelihoods, and education for underserved communities in India through a 200+ partner ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Energy Development Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Utilities (22), Electric Power Generation (22111), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Services-Social Services (8300), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Microgrid Development, EPC & Integration (EUAMAJAB), Resilience & Backup Power Solutions (Critical Facilities, Islanding) (EUAMAJAK), Climate Resilience & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (BPAGABAK), Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL), DER Financing, Leasing & Billing Platforms (TPO, PPA, On-Bill) (EUAMAJAJ)

Keywords

• Decentralized renewable energy
• Sustainable development solutions
• Clean energy access
• Rural electrification
• Climate action programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangalore

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants and Donations: As a registered charitable trust under the Trust Act, SELCO Foundation operates primarily through grants, donations, and funding from international development organizations, foundations, and government schemes. The organization publishes FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) compliance documentation indicating receipt of foreign contributions.
2. Technical Consultancy Services: SELCO Foundation provides consultancy services to government bodies, NGOs, and development organizations for designing and implementing sustainable energy solutions, evidenced by the Consultancy section on their website and implementation partnerships with ministries.
3. Knowledge Products and Resources: The organization publishes case studies, research documents, and implementation guidelines that serve as knowledge products for the development sector, though revenue generation from these is not the primary focus.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SELCO Foundation develops and implements decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions for underserved communities across India, spanning livelihoods, healthcare, agriculture, education, and built environments. The organization delivers solar-powered systems, energy-efficient technologies, and ecosystem support services including incubation, skills development, and inclusive finance through partnerships with government ministries, NGOs, and community-based organizations.

Product overview

SELCO Foundation is a Bangalore-based charitable trust (registered October 2010) that operates as an ecosystem builder for decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions serving underserved communities across India. The organization does not offer a single unified product but rather a broad portfolio of context-specific, sustainable energy-driven solutions organized across multiple verticals: Sustainable Livelihoods (solar-powered solutions for agriculture, animal husbandry, micro-businesses, crafts, and textiles, including rice mills, pottery wheels, cold storage, milking machines, and food processing), Healthcare (Energy for Health program powering 25,000 health facilities, solar-powered health centres with telemedicine and diagnostics), Education (eShala digital education, sustainable anganwadis), Household Energy Access (solar home systems, mini-grids), Built Environments (energy-efficient housing and workspaces), and Enabling Services (Incubation, Skills Institute, Inclusive Finance). The portfolio is complemented by digital platforms including Millet Mentor AI (an assistive AI platform for millet processors), Solutions Portal, SELCO Labs, Catalysetech, Let's Rise Up, North East Trade Fair, Impact Failure, and SDG7 for SDG8. The work is anchored by the SELCAP (Sustainable Energy led Climate Action Program) and the Energy for Health (E4H) program, with impact reaching 900,000 people through improved livelihoods and 4,800,000 people with improved health services. The organization follows an ecosystem approach combining technology innovation, finance, skills building, backward/forward linkages, and policy advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SELCAP: Sustainable Energy led Climate Action Program - an initiative by SELCO Foundation focused on climate action through sustainable energy solutions
• Millet Mentor
• Millet Mentor AI

Products and services

• Energy for Health (E4H) Program Large-scale program launched in 2023 in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, seeking to sustainably power 25,000 health facilities across 12 states with decentralized renewable energy and energy-efficient equipment covering non-communicable diseases, basic healthcare delivery, maternal and child care, immunisation, and COVID-19 solutions. Implemented across 8,000 healthcare facilities nationwide as of 2025-2026.
• Solar-Powered Livelihood Solutions Comprehensive portfolio of decentralized sustainable energy-driven solutions for livelihoods, including solar-powered rice hullers and polishers, rope-making machines, coir yarn machines, pottery wheels, flour and spice milling, solar sewing machines, roti rolling machines, feed production units, photocopy and printing units, and solar-powered garage/puncture shop equipment. Solutions span agriculture, animal husbandry, micro-businesses, crafts, and textile sectors, improving productivity and incomes for underserved communities.
• Solar-Powered Agriculture Solutions Sustainable energy-driven solutions across the agricultural value chain, from pre-farm (soil testing centres, nursery management, biofertilizer production) and on-farm (sprayers, irrigation, equipment) to post-harvest management (walk-in cold rooms) and post-harvest conversion (threshers, grain processing, spice processing, milling). Includes millet ecosystem support and value chain mapping for small and marginal farmers.
• Solar-Powered Animal Husbandry Solutions Renewable energy solutions for livestock farming across the value chain, including inputs (vaccination, hydroponics for feed management, fodder chopping, egg incubators, lighting, shed design, milking machines, biodigester, high-pressure water pumps), collection and chilling (weighing, milk chillers, cold storage), and processing (meat processing, butter churner). Covers poultry, dairy, and camel milk sectors.
• Solar-Powered Crafts and Textile Solutions Sustainable energy solutions for the textile and craft sector, covering non-timber forest produce (sprayers, pruners), silk (silkworm rearing, silk reeling and spinning), cotton (picking, ginning, spinning, weaving), and modernizing crafts (pottery, rope making, Dokra). Addresses drudgery reduction and productivity improvement for artisans.
• Decentralized Solar Healthcare Solutions Solar-powered healthcare infrastructure for last-mile delivery, including solar PV systems with battery backup for health facilities, telemedicine units, digital diagnostics, neonatal care equipment, and energy-efficient medical appliances. Solutions address vaccine cold chain, life-saving diagnostic devices, lighting, and communications for remote communities.
• Sustainable Education Solutions Decentralized renewable energy solutions for the education sector, including the eShala Digital Education Program, sustainable anganwadis (childcare centres), sustainable residential schools, sustainable portable and transitionary schools, and inclusive education and special schools. Enables digital education mediums and improved learning environments in last-mile geographies.
• Household Energy Access Solutions Sustainable energy solutions for household well-being including solar home systems, community mini-grids, integrated energy centres for migration-prone communities, portable and modular solutions for temporary settlements, and DRE financing for migrant workers in urban slums. Reaches diverse marginalised communities and underserved geographies.
• Energy-Efficient Built Environment Solutions Optimised built environment solutions incorporating passive and active design strategies for improved energy affordability, comfort, and resilience. Addresses household well-being, workspaces, institutions for the underserved, and shelters for disaster and displacement. Includes cool roofs, climate-responsive PHC models, and energy-efficient COVID-19 care hospitals.
• Incubation Program SELCO Foundation's incubation program supports startups and entrepreneurs developing sustainable energy-driven solutions for underserved communities. Part of the broader ecosystem building approach that includes skills development and financing support.
• Skills Institute End-to-end human resource development program creating local change makers including leaders, workforce, innovators, and entrepreneurs who contribute to socio-economic development of underserved populations via sustainable energy. Develops and utilizes practitioner-oriented curriculums.
• Inclusive Finance Solutions Financial innovations enabling affordable asset-based financing for sustainable energy solutions. Creates context-specific and customised financial products catering to varying user cash flows, working with financial institutions to provide affordable financing for the poor. Includes risk guarantee funds and end-user financing mechanisms.
• Millet Mentor AI Platform Assistive AI platform developed under the Millet Mentor Program by SELCO Foundation in collaboration with Apurva.ai and WASSAN, designed to deliver experiential training and subject matter expertise to millet entrepreneurs, FPOs, SHGs, and processors. Supports multilingual interactions and integrates systems thinking with design thinking for holistic guidance on millet production, processing, value addition, and business development.
• SELCAP - Sustainable Energy led Climate Action Program Climate action program by SELCO Foundation that seeks to inspire and implement solutions that alleviate poverty by improving access to sustainable energy to underserved communities across India in a manner that is socially, financially, and environmentally sustainable.

Quantifiable outcome

• 900,000 people have improved their livelihoods because of sustainable energy driven solutions
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Social AlphacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2026Social Alpha launched 'Techtonic: Innovations in Clean Energy' a 12-month acceleration programme with SELCO Foundation as a proposed partner to support science-led start-ups addressing India's energy needs through grant funding and venture development resources.
• NITI AayogcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2026Proposed partner for the Techtonic Clean Energy acceleration programme to identify and support science-led start-ups in India's energy sector with grant funding ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹60 lakh.
• Tata PowercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2026Proposed partner for the Techtonic Clean Energy acceleration programme supporting early-stage R&D start-ups and growth-stage scale-ups in India's clean energy sector.
• GIZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development agency working with SELCO Foundation on sustainable energy initiatives and climate action programs.
• IRENAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Renewable Energy Agency collaborating on sustainable energy solutions and policy development.
• Ashrayahat TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrust organization working on sustainable development and energy access solutions.
• Sony IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting sustainable energy initiatives and CSR activities.
• LIC Housing FinanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing finance company supporting affordable energy solutions and financing mechanisms for underserved populations.
• HDFC LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance company supporting sustainable development initiatives and energy access programs.
• Swami Vivekananda Youth MovementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization that deployed mobile health clinic alongside solar-powered health facilities in Karnataka through the Beyond2020 initiative.
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry partnered with SELCO Foundation to launch the Energy for Health program in 2023, aiming to sustainably power 25,000 health facilities across 12 states in India.
• WASSANcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization anchoring the Millet Mentor Program alongside SELCO Foundation, connecting aspiring milletpreneurs with expert mentors for hands-on support.
• Apurva.aicoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner developing the Millet Mentor AI platform using generative AI capabilities for multilingual support and experiential training for millet entrepreneurs.
• Atal Innovation MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProposed partner for Techtonic Clean Energy acceleration programme supporting innovation and startup ecosystem development.
• Jakson GreenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProposed partner for Techtonic Clean Energy acceleration programme in the clean energy sector.
• SagacityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProposed partner for Techtonic Clean Energy acceleration programme providing venture development and market linkage support.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• PowerGen Renewable Energy: PowerGen builds and operates solar mini-grids across East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Nigeria). It is comparable to SELCO Foundation's community microgrid work in target customer profile and technology, though its focus is East African mini-grids rather than Indian livelihoods-linked DRE.
• Equatorial Power: Equatorial Power develops small-hydro and solar mini-grids in Uganda and broader East Africa for rural electrification. It overlaps with SELCO's decentralized renewable energy mission and rural community focus, though concentrated in a different geography.

Others

• Climate Works Foundation / GACC: ClimateWorks Foundation and the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves are ecosystem peers in the international climate-finance and clean energy access funding space that channel capital to DRE implementers like SELCO Foundation. They are not direct competitors but comparable philanthropic vehicles operating in the same energy poverty and climate adaptation space.

Direct peers

• SELCO India: SELCO India is the for-profit sister entity established in 1995 that pioneered the same decentralized solar energy model for underserved Indian households that SELCO Foundation extends via grants and ecosystem building. They share the same founder (Harish Hande) and serve overlapping end-user segments through complementary commercial and philanthropic vehicles.
• OMC Power: OMC Power develops and operates solar mini-grids serving rural telecom towers and surrounding communities in India and Africa. It overlaps with SELCO Foundation's microgrid and last-mile electrification work in India, particularly the community energy access use case.
• Greenlight Planet: Greenlight Planet (Sun King) distributes solar lanterns and home systems to off-grid households across India, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia via a PAYG model. It is a direct peer in serving energy-poor Indian households with decentralized solar solutions, albeit through a large-scale commercial distribution network.
• M-KOPA: M-KOPA is a leading pay-as-you-go solar home system operator serving off-grid customers in East Africa with a connected asset-finance model. It is a direct peer in serving under-electrified households with affordable solar via inclusive financing, though geographically focused on Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana rather than India.
• d.light: d.light designs, manufactures, and distributes affordable solar lanterns, home systems, and PAYG solar products across emerging markets including India and East Africa. It is a direct comparator as a decentralized renewable energy provider serving bottom-of-pyramid households, though distributed via a for-profit retail/financing model rather than SELCO's grant and partnership model.
• Husk Power Systems: Husk Power Systems builds and operates solar-hybrid mini-grids for rural communities in India and East Africa, with comparable end-user profiles (last-mile villages, micro-enterprises). It overlaps with SELCO's community microgrid and mini-grid product lines but operates a commercial utility-style model rather than as a trust.
• BBOXX: BBOXX is a UK-based PAYG solar provider operating across multiple African countries with smart solar home systems. It is a direct comparator in the affordable distributed solar and inclusive financing category serving off-grid households, though its primary geography is sub-Saharan Africa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/embed/7Hgj_GlXK7A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/selco-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about SELCO Foundation