The Sustainability Mafia, commonly known as SusMafia, has received a Rs 2 crore corporate social responsibility grant from Zerodha to strengthen its work in climate education, early-stage startup incubation, and ecosystem building. The non-profit organisation works closely with founders, professionals, and students to make sustainability more accessible and actionable across India.
The grant will be used to develop a skilled, climate-aware workforce and to help climate-tech startups scale solutions that deliver measurable impact. These efforts will focus on critical areas such as air quality, water and sanitation, waste management, carbon reduction, and the circular economy.
Built by Entrepreneurs for the Climate Ecosystem
Founded in 2018, The Sustainability Mafia was created by climate-focused entrepreneurs who saw the need for a more connected and collaborative ecosystem. The organisation was co-founded by Ganesh Shankar, Arjun P Gupta, and Anirudh Gupta, all of whom have been actively involved in building and mentoring climate ventures in India.
From the beginning, SusMafia was designed as a coalition rather than a traditional institution. It brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, enabling them to share knowledge, resources, and networks to overcome common challenges in climate action. Its goal has remained consistent: to help sustainability become the norm by supporting people and ideas at the earliest stages.
Addressing Talent and Early-Stage Gaps
According to the Bengaluru-based organisation, many promising climate solutions struggle not because of a lack of intent, but due to gaps in talent readiness, early-stage validation, and access to the right networks. SusMafia’s programmes are structured to address these gaps directly.
Its work focuses on building industry-ready climate professionals, supporting founders during the most fragile early stages of their journey, and creating trusted platforms where innovators can connect with capital providers, corporates, and pilot opportunities. This approach is intended to reduce friction for climate entrepreneurs and improve their chances of long-term success.
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Training Climate Professionals Through Climate Ninja
One of SusMafia’s flagship initiatives is the Climate Ninja programme, which is aimed at developing professionals who can contribute meaningfully to the climate and sustainability sector. Through this programme, the organisation says it has trained more than 400 climate professionals, equipping them with practical skills aligned with real-world climate challenges.
Alongside workforce development, SusMafia has also focused on nurturing startups. Its early-stage incubation efforts have deployed Rs 1 crore in grants to support emerging climate ventures. These initiatives are backed by a growing network of more than 80 climate entrepreneurs working across different sustainability domains.
Zerodha’s Support for Early-Stage Climate Efforts
Commenting on the CSR support, Nithin Kamath, CEO of Zerodha, highlighted the importance of early access to the right guidance and resources in the climate space. “Strong climate outcomes emerge when founders, practitioners, and learners have access to the right knowledge and support early in their journey. The Sustainability Engine Foundation is building this connective tissue for the climate ecosystem, and we’re pleased to back their work,” he said.
The grant reflects Zerodha’s focus on supporting initiatives that aim for long-term, systemic impact rather than short-term interventions.
Plans to Expand Reach and Collaboration
With the new funding, The Sustainability Mafia plans to scale its existing programmes and deepen engagement across regions. The organisation aims to train more than 300 additional Climate Ninjas and support over 20 early-stage climate startups in the next phase of its work.
It also plans to convene regional and national ecosystem gatherings such as SusCrunch, which bring together founders, investors, corporates, and practitioners from across the sustainability landscape. These gatherings are intended to encourage collaboration, learning, and partnership building within the climate ecosystem.
Strengthening the Climate Community
At its core, SusMafia continues to operate as a community-driven platform shaped by the people it supports. By combining education, early-stage funding, and ecosystem building, the organisation is working to create pathways for climate ideas to translate into real-world solutions.
The CSR grant from Zerodha is expected to further strengthen these efforts, enabling The Sustainability Mafia to continue supporting founders and professionals working toward a more sustainable future for India.
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