Get All Access for $5/mo

Praan Raises $1.56 Million Funding Fresh funds will be used to democratize technologies to deliver clean air at INR 1 per person a day

By Shrabona Ghosh

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Company handle

Committed to mitigating urban air pollution through the use of outdoor air purification systems, California and Mumbai-based startup Praan has raised funding of $1.56 million led by Social Impact Capital, with participation from Better Capital, Paradigm Shift Capital and Avaana Capital, Quality of Life Investments Texas (Angel Syndicate).

The fresh funds will be used to build and expand the company's Indian team as well as take the patent-pending core technology to real large-scale pilots through B2B deployments, stabilize manufacturing, and democratize the technology to deliver clean air at INR 1 per person per day. The company also plans to add velocity to efforts in direct air CO2 capture both in India and USA, said a statement.

"The fundraise offers the company an incredible opportunity and an honest shot at trying to help over three billion people breathe cleaner air around the world. It's an extremely difficult and nuanced challenge but we are working our best to fulfill our mission and are thrilled with the trust instilled in us by our investors," said Angad Daryani, founder and CEO of Praan.

"The world sees over 70 million deaths every year due to air pollution, making it a very important challenge that requires immediate attention. Praan's deep tech expertise and mission-focused attitude has been really exciting and with this funding, we are hopeful to bring in a change in what is considered an extremely nuanced problem with a tremendous impact," said Sarah Cone, founder and managing partner at Social Impact Capital.

Using a region-based approach for purification, Praan has positioned itself as a viable alternative in the absence of credible state-backed large-scale initiatives to clean out air, added the statement.

Shrabona Ghosh

Correspondent

A journalist with a cosmopolitan mindset. I lead a project called 'Corporate Innovations' wherein I cover corporates across verticals and try to tell stories on innovations. Apart from this, I write industry pieces on FMCGs, auto, aviation, 5G and defense. 
Side Hustle

At Age 15, He Used Facebook Marketplace to Start a Side Hustle — Then It Became Something Much Bigger: 'Raised Over $1.6 Million'

Dylan Zajac, now a 21-year-old senior at Babson College, wanted to bridge the digital divide.

Business News

OpenAI Just Released Its Text-to-Video Generator, Sora. Here's How the New AI Could Impact Small Businesses and Creators.

Sora has a variety of use cases for businesses, from social media campaigns to video creation.

Starting a Business

10 Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs That Investors Love (Even If They Seem Like Jerks)

This article explores a thought-provoking question: Why do many successful entrepreneurs exhibit traits that might label them as "jerks?"

Business News

'Faster, Smarter, and More Relevant': Reddit Tests AI That Combs the Site For You

The AI is like a blend of Google and ChatGPT, tailored specifically for Reddit.

Science & Technology

Machines Are Surpassing Humans in Intelligence. What We Do Next Will Define the Future of Humanity, Says This Legendary Tech Leader.

Craig Mundie, co-author of "Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope and The Human Spirit" dives into the unrivaled power of AI.

Business News

Who Is Luigi Mangione? UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Murder Suspect Arrested in Pennsylvania on Firearms Charge

Mangione, 26, has not been charged in connection with the killing of Thompson.