Ankit Jain and Sidhant Pai: Pioneering Sustainability with StepChange

Ankit Jain and Sidhant Pai, two individuals with diverse academic backgrounds and a shared vision for a sustainable future, crossed paths at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Their journey from MIT to founding StepChange, a trailblazing sustainability start up, is a testament to their commitment to addressing the urgent environmental challenges facing the world today. Ankit Jain’s academic pursuits led him to study business, setting the stage for a corporate career that included stints at renowned organizations like McKinsey. His journey eventually led him to head the unit that evolved into Ola Electric, a pioneering force in the electric vehicle sector. On the other hand, Sidhant Pai delved into environmental science during his time at MIT, culminating in a PhD focusing on environmental decision-making tools.

The Birth of StepChange:

Their paths diverged after MIT, but fate had other plans. A chance encounter through a mutual friend reignited their connection, and in 2021, they embarked on a remarkable journey by co-founding StepChange. They identified a pressing need in the corporate world—an effective solution for organizations to reduce their carbon footprint. StepChange has emerged as a catalyst for change, offering three impactful solutions in the form of Software as a Service (SaaS) products. These solutions address critical aspects of sustainability:

• ESG Management Tool: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations have become paramount for businesses. StepChange’s ESG management tool equips organizations with the insights and tools needed to navigate the complex landscape of sustainability.

• Product Lifecycle Impact Analysis Tool: Understanding the environmental impact of products is crucial. StepChange’s tool analyzes 18 different environmental parameters, providing businesses with valuable data to make informed decisions and reduce their products’ environmental footprint. Sustainability Gamification: StepChange introduces a mobile app-based solution that gamifies sustainability-oriented habits. This innovative approach encourages employees to adopt sustainable practices, fostering a culture of environmental consciousness within organizations.

One of StepChange’s core missions is to assist India’s largest companies in measuring and mitigating their Scope 3 emissions. Scope 3 emissions, often the most challenging to quantify, encompass carbon emissions generated throughout a company’s supply chain, both upstream and downstream. StepChange’s tailored solutions empower organizations to address Scope 3 emissions effectively, despite the complexities associated with these emissions’ indirect nature. By partnering with major corporations in India, Jain and Pai aim to drive substantial progress towards carbon neutrality. To fuel their mission, Ankit Jain and Sidhant Pai secured an undisclosed amount in a pre-seed funding round. Investors, including GFC, Beenext, and Speciale Invest, recognized the potential of StepChange’s innovative approach to sustainability.

Ankit Jain’s and Sidhant Pai’s overarching goal for StepChange is clear—to become the partner of choice for large Indian corporations embarking on their net-zero journeys. Their commitment to sustainability and their innovative solutions position them as trailblazers in the quest for a more sustainable future.

In conclusion, Ankit Jain and Sidhant Pai’s journey from MIT to co-founding StepChange reflects their unwavering dedication to addressing the environmental challenges of our time. Their vision, combined with their diverse expertise, has the potential to drive significant change and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable world.