Apply Now for PGDM Programs

Zainab Siddiqui, Eco Nexus Innovation Pvt. Ltd.

Name of the Beneficiary

Zainab Siddiqui

Name of the Enterprise Floated

Eco Nexus Innovation Pvt. Ltd.

Present Turnover

₹ 5 Lakh

Employment Generated

30

Inital Investments

  • ₹ 1 Lakh

Awards Received

  • State Handloom & Handicraft Award, 2022

Forest fires, rising temperatures, long heat waves and disrupted seasonal cycles are reason to climate change, deforestation and migration of humans and wildlife. Forest fires release stored carbon, increase the greenhouse effect and release black carbon particles that accelerate glacier melting, causing rising sea levels and natural disasters.

Witnessing the disturbances created by forest fires, Zainab Siddiqui, a postgraduate in Botany from Govt. PG College, New Tehri, founded Eco Nexus Innovation Pvt. Ltd.  Under the DUY Project, a two-day bootcamp was conducted at her college, covering basics of entrepreneurship, ideation, business opportunities, market opportunities, gap identification and business model canvas.

On the second day of this boot camp, Zainab pitched her idea of manufacturing wood composite material using dry pine needles as a sustainable alternative to wood. Her idea was to create durable and eco-friendly products addressing both environmental & economic challenges and reducing forest fires. The idea appealed to the mentors and Zainab was selected for a 12-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP). Post training Zainab started building the design of her idea and with support of DUY team; she received a patent and trademark for her brand.  The start-up is in the prototype phase, completed the pilot project phase and has tied-up with two factories. During the pilot project, the startup produced standard-size boards, scenery & art boards and door/window panels.

While Zainab invested Rs. 1,00,000 from her resources, she received funding of Rs. 75,000 from Uttarakhand Government, Rs. 1.00,000 as CSR grant by Hero Moto Corp and Rs. 5,00,000 as grant from IIM Kashipur.

Zainab and her team are grateful to the Higher Education Department of Uttarakhand and the EDII DUY team.