Que: Shell E4 has been a key player in supporting energy and sustainability-focused startups in India. How would you define the core mission of the program today?

Ans: The core mission of Shell E4 program is to drive India’s energy transition by empowering startups that are solving real-world challenges in sustainability and energy innovation. The program serves as a platform for breakthrough technologies—offering more than just funding. It brings together mentorship, industry connections, and deployment pathways to help founders scale solutions that support decarbonisation, clean mobility, and energy access.

Que: Tell us more about the new Shell E4 cohort. What kinds of startups will be supported, and what energy challenges are they addressing?

Ans: The 2025 Shell E4 cohort marks a strategic evolution in our approach—supporting a new generation of startups that are ready to scale and make tangible impact across the energy value chain. We're focusing on growth-stage ventures that have already validated their solutions in the market and are now poised for broader deployment. These startups are tackling some of the most pressing challenges in clean energy, industrial decarbonisation, digital transformation, and energy access.

What’s different this year is not just the thematic breadth—which now includes advanced areas like carbon removal, adaptive supply chains, robotics, and computational science—but also the scale of our support. Through Shell Ventures, selected startups may access between USD 100K to USD 500K in convertible loan funding, significantly expanding our financial commitment to help them accelerate commercialisation. This is backed by a rigorous selection process that evaluates product maturity, customer traction, team strength, and technological differentiation.

The enhanced backing reflects our belief that Indian startups have the vision and capability to shape global climate-tech solutions. Shell E4 is here to help unlock that potential by providing capital, strategic guidance, and market opportunities at just the right stage of their journey.

Que: Shell E4 has welcomed a new strategic partner. Could you share more about this partnership and how it amplifies the accelerator’s impact and reach?

Ans: The 2025 edition of Shell E4 is being delivered in collaboration with NASSCOM’s Centre of Excellence for IoT & AI, marking a strategic step toward deeper ecosystem engagement. NASSCOM brings access to a powerful network of deep-tech startups, research institutions, and corporate partners—making them an ideal delivery partner to support the revamped delivery and structure of this edition. In addition, Shell E4 continues to be supported by key enablers like Startup India, Kerala Startup Mission, and the IIT Madras Incubator. This multi-stakeholder model ensures that startups not only receive Shell’s core resources but also benefit from broader national and regional innovation support systems.

This year, we have teamed up with NASSCOM’s Centre of Excellence for IoT & AI, a move that significantly boosts our reach into the deep-tech ecosystem. This partnership brings access to a powerful network of deep-tech startups, research institutions, and corporate partners—making them an ideal delivery partner to support the revamped delivery and structure of this edition. . Together we are creating an integrated pathway for startups, from proof-of-concept to industrial deployment, especially in digital-heavy domains like AI-enabled asset monitoring, robotics, and computational science. Alongside NASSCOM, we also continue to work with key ecosystem players such as Startup India, Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), and IIT Madras Incubator, forming a robust support system that scales with the startup’s journey.

Que: Can you share an example where a startup benefited directly from Shell’s resources, infrastructure, or pilot opportunities?

Ans: Several success stories come to mind, but one that stands out is Ossus Bio. They created an AI-powered bioreactor that converts industrial wastewater into green hydrogen, turning effluents into decentralised energy. Through E4, they accessed Shell’s testing infrastructure and received feedback that helped refine and validate their innovation in a real-world setting.

Similarly, Detect Technologies brought their AI-enabled asset safety tools into Shell’s operational environments, while Magenta Power piloted EV charging systems tailored to Shell’s mobility goals. These engagements go beyond mentorship, they are tangible, operational collaborations that prove startup solutions in real market conditions.

Que: What role does Shell E4 envision for itself in strengthening India's broader startup ecosystem, particularly in clean energy and climate tech?

Ans: We see Shell E4 as a bridge linking promising innovation with the resources, knowledge, and deployment channels needed to scale. Our role extends beyond cohort-based acceleration. We are shaping a long-term ecosystem by helping startups refine their go-to-market strategies, connect with global investors, and prepare for industrial integration. Importantly, we are committed to inclusive innovation, bringing in startups from Tier 2 and 3 cities, collaborating with universities, and supporting early-stage founders through our Net-Zero Track. This holistic approach strengthens the entire value chain energy entrepreneurship in India.

Que: What’s your vision for Shell E4 over the next 3–5 years in terms of scale, impact, and innovation?

Ans: Looking ahead, Shell E4 aims to become the launchpad for India’s most game-changing energy innovations. We are scaling both our reach and relevance, expanding thematic areas to include carbon removal, adaptive supply chains, robotics, and computational science. We also plan to deepen our focus on pilot deployment and post-program engagement, ensuring that startups continue to receive strategic support well beyond their time in the cohort. Our vision is to be the place where India’s next energy unicorns are shaped and not just funded but enabled to thrive in a complex and evolving energy landscape.