IIT Madras-incubated Wankel Energy Systems has created a compact steam expander that captures unused steam pressure from industrial processes and converts it into reliable, clean power. The startup, a spin-off from a Department of Science and Technology project, targets sectors such as food, dairy, textiles, paper, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals—segments that collectively face an estimated ₹66,000 crore in annual energy losses. Wankel deployed its first pilot unit in July at Hatsun Dairy in Salem and plans six paid pilots this year, with verbal orders already secured for more than 40 units. Management’s immediate objective is to validate performance in real-world settings and ultimately roll out over 1,000 units in India and international markets. Founders Prof. Satyanarayanan Seshadri (advisor) and Balachandran Raju (CEO) believe the technology can materially boost industrial sustainability and efficiency. The company’s current financing totals $1 million from a recent pre-seed round, providing initial capital for pilot deployments and scale-up activities.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Sep 2025