Strategic Backing from a Sporting Icon
Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has officially joined the cap table of Hyderabad-based waste management and cleantech startup Recykal. While the specific financial details of the investment remain undisclosed, the backing from one of India's most prominent public figures signals a growing interest in the circular economy sector. Tendulkar’s investment follows a trend of high-profile athletes supporting sustainable business models that address critical environmental challenges.
Digitalizing the Circular Economy
Founded in 2016 by Abhishek Deshpande, Anirudha Jalan, and Vikram Pawaskar, Recykal operates a technology-driven marketplace for waste management. The startup provides a suite of digital solutions that connect waste generators (such as businesses and consumers) with waste aggregators, processors, and recyclers. By creating a transparent ecosystem, Recykal aims to improve the traceability of plastic, paper, and e-waste, helping brands comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.
Recykal’s platform offers a B2B marketplace for buying and selling scrap, a solution for brands to manage their sustainability commitments, and consumer-facing applications to incentivize recycling. The startup has previously raised significant capital from investors including 360 ONE Asset, Morgan Stanley India Infrastructure Fund, and Circulate Capital.
Market Momentum and Sustainability
The waste management sector in India is undergoing rapid formalization, driven by both government mandates and corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) targets. Recykal has positioned itself as a category leader by focusing on the 'managed marketplace' model, which reduces the friction inherent in the fragmented traditional waste collection industry.
With this new injection of capital and high-visibility support, Recykal plans to further expand its footprint across India. The company is focused on enhancing its technology stack to handle larger volumes of diverse waste streams and deepening its partnerships with municipal corporations and multinational corporations looking to achieve net-zero waste goals.
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