Biography of Divanshu Kumar: Founder and CEO of Solinas Integrity and Involve
Biography of Divanshu Kumar:
Divanshu Kumar is an inspiring young entrepreneur who
graduated from IIT Madras in 2019 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His
academic achievements, including a remarkable 8.6 CGPA, reflected his
dedication. However, it was his entrepreneurial journey that truly set him
apart. Divanshu co-founded Solinas Integrity, a company focused on solving
critical water sanitation challenges, and he is also the co-founder of Involve,
an educational platform. His dedication to innovation and social impact has earned
him recognition as a young leader in India’s startup ecosystem.
Educational Background and Early Leadership Roles
At IIT Madras, Divanshu was not just focused on academics
but also took on leadership roles in various campus activities. He was an
active member of the International & Alumni Relations team, worked with the
Formula Electric Racing team, and even managed the team of Avanti Fellows.
Additionally, he was the head of Events and Editorial for the Entrepreneurship
Cell, showcasing his ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives with
passion and precision.
Inception of Solinas Integrity: Solving Real-World Problems
Divanshu's entrepreneurial journey began with his final year
project at IIT Madras, which focused on creating robots to clean septic tanks.
This idea soon evolved into Solinas Integrity, a startup aimed at
revolutionizing the water and sanitation sector. Founded in 2018, the company
developed innovative robotic solutions like HomoSEP, India’s first septic tank
cleaning robot. The goal was to address the grave issue of manual scavenging, a
dangerous and dehumanizing practice, and provide a more effective and safer
alternative.
Solinas Integrity: Tackling Water and Sanitation Challenges
Solinas Integrity’s mission revolves around developing
cutting-edge technology to solve complex issues in the sanitation industry. By
building robots for tasks such as septic tank cleaning and pipeline inspection,
the company aims to eliminate manual intervention in these hazardous processes.
This vision is not only about improving sanitation but also addressing broader
climate change issues by making these systems more sustainable and efficient.
Impact of Solinas
Integrity’s Innovations
One of the company's groundbreaking products is HomoSEP, a
robot designed to clean septic tanks without any human intervention. This
invention tackles the hard sludge at the bottom of septic tanks, which was
traditionally cleaned by manual laborers in unsafe conditions. With its unique
blade cutter and suction system, HomoSEP can handle the most challenging tasks,
making it a safer and more affordable alternative to existing methods. The
impact of such technology is profound, reducing both health risks and costs
associated with manual cleaning.
Additional Robotic Solutions for Pipeline and Sewer
Inspection
In addition to HomoSEP, Solinas Integrity has developed
other advanced technologies like Endobot and iGlobus. Endobot is a pipeline
crawler designed for inspecting underground pipelines to detect leaks and other
critical issues. This robot provides real-time video feed and leak detection,
helping municipalities and industries maintain their water infrastructure
efficiently. The iGlobus, another product in their portfolio, offers
long-distance inspection of pressurized water pipelines, equipped with advanced
sensors to locate leaks with pinpoint accuracy.
Recognition and Growth of Solinas Integrity
The company’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Solinas
Integrity gained significant visibility when it appeared on Shark Tank India.
The founders pitched their innovative products and received an investment of
₹90 lakhs for 3% equity from prominent investors like Anupam Mittal and Peyush
Bansal. This funding has enabled Solinas Integrity to scale its operations and
bring its solutions to a wider audience, further strengthening its position in
the sanitation technology sector.
Biography of Divanshu Kumar: Founder & CEO of Solinas Integrity and Involve/robots for septic tank cleaning and other sanitation/entrepreneur/age/net
The Story Behind HomoSEP’s Creation
The journey behind the creation of HomoSEP is a testament to
Divanshu's drive to solve real-world problems. Initially, the idea was just
part of his academic project. However, after meeting with sanitation workers
and hearing their struggles, Divanshu realized the magnitude of the problem.
The workers’ grim stories about the dangerous conditions they faced while
cleaning septic tanks deeply impacted him. This encounter inspired him to
dedicate himself to developing a solution that could eliminate the need for
manual scavenging altogether.
Expansion of Involve: Empowering Students
In addition to Solinas Integrity, Divanshu also co-founded
Involve, an organization dedicated to empowering students. Involve works with
students across several states in India, using peer-based learning models to
encourage leadership and decision-making skills. The platform has scaled to
impact over 200,000 students, and it aims to reach a million in the next few
years. Involve is not just an educational initiative; it also works closely
with the educational system to influence policy and improve student engagement.
Success and Recognition of Involve
Through Involve, Divanshu has made a significant impact on
the education sector. The platform has worked with students from various
backgrounds, focusing on building their agency and helping them become informed
and responsible decision-makers. This work has earned Involve recognition in
various circles, and Divanshu’s leadership continues to inspire many aspiring
student entrepreneurs and educators.
Challenges Faced and Overcome
Divanshu’s entrepreneurial path hasn’t been without
challenges. As a startup founder, he had to navigate numerous obstacles, from
technical hurdles in product development to raising funds and scaling the
company. However, his ability to face adversity head-on and his passion for
solving social issues have been key to overcoming these challenges. His
experience with failures and setbacks has only strengthened his resolve to push
forward and make a difference in the world.
The Role of Mentorship and Leadership
Divanshu is passionate about mentorship and frequently
shares his entrepreneurial experiences with young students and aspiring
entrepreneurs. He believes that fostering a culture of entrepreneurial thinking
is essential for solving complex societal problems. As a regular speaker at
events organized by IIT, IIMs, and other prestigious institutions, Divanshu
encourages others to think innovatively and create solutions that can
positively impact society.
Future Vision: Scaling Impact Through Technology
Looking ahead, Divanshu’s vision for Solinas Integrity and
Involve is to continue scaling both ventures and amplifying their impact. He is
focused on developing new technologies that can further improve sanitation and
water management. Similarly, with Involve, he aspires to empower millions of
students across India, helping them become leaders in their communities.
Divanshu’s commitment to social entrepreneurship and technological innovation
reflects his desire to leave a lasting, positive impact on the world.
A timeline of Divanshu Kumar's journey, based on the
provided details:
2019 – Graduates from IIT Madras with a degree in Mechanical
Engineering and an 8.6 CGPA.
2018 – Begins work on his final year project, which evolves
into the creation of Solinas Integrity.
2018 – Co-founds Solinas Integrity, developing robots for
septic tank cleaning and other sanitation challenges.
2019 – Co-founds Involve, an educational platform aimed at
empowering students through peer-based learning.
2020 – Solinas Integrity develops HomoSEP, India's first
septic tank cleaning robot.
2021 – Solinas Integrity introduces additional robotic
solutions like Endobot for pipeline inspection and iGlobus for pressurized
water pipelines.
2021 – Solinas Integrity appears on Shark Tank India,
securing ₹90 lakhs investment for 3% equity.
2022 – Involve impacts over 200,000 students, aiming to
reach 1 million in the coming years.
2022 – Divanshu's leadership and Solinas Integrity’s
innovations earn recognition in India’s startup ecosystem.
2023 – Continues scaling both Solinas Integrity and Involve,
with a focus on amplifying social impact through technology.
2024 – Divanshu becomes a sought-after speaker and mentor,
sharing his entrepreneurial journey with aspiring young leaders.
