CEO’s AQI Walkout Highlights Pollution Crisis; Here’s How 3 Indian Startups Are Tackling It

CEO Bryan Johnson, known for his age-reversing experiments and biohacking, walked out of a podcast due to the dangerously high Air Quality Index (AQI) in India, highlighting the severity of air pollution across the country.

As Johnson’s exit has brought urgent attention to the crisis, several Indian startups are stepping up with innovative solutions to combat air pollution and improve air quality nationwide. Here’s how they are making a difference.

1) UBreathe Gurugram-based UBreathe, founded by Sanjay Maurya and Subham Singh, is revolutionising air purifiers with plant-based solutions. Their proprietary design boosts a plant’s natural ability to remove pollutants from the air by improving soil breathability.

Dubbed the “world's first plant-based smart air purifier”, UBreathe Life uses a bio-filter made of common houseplants and specially treated soil to amplify natural air purification. The startup even secured a Rs 1.5 crore deal on Shark Tank India Season 2. Click here to read more.

2) Edible Routes In Delhi, Edible Routes, founded by Kapil Mandawewala, offers workshops teaching individuals how to grow indoor plants to filter air. This low-tech, sustainable approach addresses pollution while beautifying living spaces.

By promoting the cultivation of indoor plants, Edible Routes has helped over 500 urban gardens and nearly 100 land projects, tackling pollution at a personal level and fostering healthier homes and workspaces. Click here to read more.

3) PI Green Innovations Founded by Shantanu Patel, Irfan Pathan, and Shaikh Arif, PI Green Innovations introduced ‘RepAir’ — a filterless air purification system using patented technology to capture harmful particulate matter.

It can be installed in cars, buildings, and public spaces, reducing pollutants by up to 96%. This sustainable innovation tackles urban pollution while eliminating the waste from conventional filters. Click here to read more.