Startups that are invariably aligned to UN 2030 sustainable development goals
On September 25, 2015, during the 2015 Sustainable Development Summit, the 193 member United Nations passed a draft resolution of the 15-year-plan – the 17 goals called the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. These goals come as a cover to the Millennial Development Goals that were charted in 2000.
The world stood in unison and applauded. Even Pope Francis gave his blessing and considers these goals as a sign of hope.
Peter Drucker rightly said, “Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.” With the goals in place, it is now time to make these goals a reality. According to sources, the goals are said to cost about $5 trillion every year. Does that mean that all the goals, just need money for success? Absolutely not. Every small act of goodness will add up to the impact the world is aspiring for.
And where do we see impact and noise in our country these days? Be it the Modi’s trip creating waves, or the college dropout who now runs the unicorn startup, it’s the enterprises and entrepreneurs who are leading from the front as changemakers.
We, at SocialStory, decided to list out the startups, which in some way, are contributing to these goals. Here we go:
Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Startups in the space: “The new agenda is a promise by leaders to all people everywhere. It is an agenda for people, to end poverty in all its forms – an agenda for the planet, our common home,” declared Ban Ki-moon as he opened the UN Sustainable Development Summit, which kicked off today and wraps up Sunday.While this is a very big goal, many MFIs firms like Guardian, Kinara Loans, Sewa, etc., Crowdfunding platforms like Milaap and Rang De are helping people from the grassroutes. Schools like Shanti Bhavan and Purkul Youth Development Society (PYDS) have their primary goal as breaking the shackles of poverty through excellent education.
Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
Startups in the space: Feeding India, Robin Hood Army, Janta Meals, etc.
Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Startups in the space: Practo, Embrace, Bempu, Forus, Neurosynaptic, iKure, Medula Healthcare, Take Care, Support Elders, Drishti, Itidirkha, HealthAbove60, SAS Healthcare, NephroPlus, etc.
Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Startups in the space: It’s heartwarming to see the largest list in the education space, some of the startups are Teach for India, Shanti Bhavan, 321 Education, iTeach, ChaloPadho, Potter’s Earth, GuruG, Edusports, STIR Education, Hippocampus, iStar, ESDECS, Eklavya, Crossover Academy, Vedantu, ConceptWaves, SomaiyaVidyavihar, Parijat Academy.
Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Startups in the space: Sukrut Systems, Thuni Seed, Saathi Pads, Svacch, Vindhya E-Infomedia, Jal Bhagirathi Foundation, Aaji Care, SahasraDeepika, and TheAntS are some startups that are focussed on women and girl child empowerment.
Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Startups in the space: Sulabh Sauchalaya, Healthizen, Gram Vikas, Pee Provider, Eram Scientific, Guardian, Banka Bioloo, Amrutdhara, Greywater, Rain Water Concepts.
Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Startups in the space: Invictus Saur Urja, Simpa, GIBSS, Daily Dump, D.Light, Mera Gao Power, ONergy, SustainEarth, 8Minutes.
Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all
Startups in the space: Caravan Craft, Rangsutra, RuralShores, SkillVeri, Bodhi Tree Skills, DCB, Lal10, Kashmir Box, Adirag, Forbidden Fruit, NREGA, Eco Corner, Bhungroo, Desi Hangover, Banna creations, Elements, Elrhino, Industree, Rangamaati.
Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation
Startups in the space: Affordable housing – Foliage, VBHC, Janaadhar; Healthcare – DATRI, vRemind; SourceTrace’seServices Everywhere™ (ESE™), Daana Network, EMPIWF, ReMaterials – ModRoof, Drinkwell Sytems, Ekam Eco, Brun, Essmart, NextDrop, CFTRI (Central Food Technological Research Institute), Warka Water, Aindra Systems, Dhwani RIS, Rainwater Club.
Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
Startups in the space: Most startups listed here are the ones that aim at bringing differently abled people with the regular people. Avaz – an app for children with autism and complex communication needs, Kilikili, Vindhya E-Infomedia, Project Prayas Bhandhavya, Sampoorna, I Support Foundation, Project Starfish.
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable
Startups in the space: Vat Vriksha, Janaagraha, 8Minutes, EMBARQ India, Birds Eye Systems, Shuttl, Local Circles, Indi Village.
Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Startups in the space: Organic India, Korra.in, ProNature Organics, I Say Organic, Sampurnearth, The Living Greens, PureMart.
Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Startups in the space: Used2Useful, Saahas, Waste Warriors, Kabadiwala.com, Ventana Cleantech, Kabadi Express, Swami Samarth, Greenway Grameen, Reddonatura.
Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development
Startups in the space: Karan Jerath, an 18-year-old Indian American who has been conferred with many awards for his innovation that can quickly shut down undersea oil spills. Some startups are Wello Wheel and Sarvajal.
Goal 15. Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss
Startups in the space: While there are not many entries here, conservationists say that the youth do show interest in biodiversity if presented in a fun way. Batrachologist, Gururaja KV of the Frog Find app by Gubbi Labs vouches for the youth’s participation. Another initiative worth mentioning is Aaranyak.
Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels
Startups in the space: Some organisations doing commendable work are Majlis Law and Change.org.
Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Startups in the space: While goal has no specific entries at this point, all the startups we’ve mentioned are in some way contributing to this larger goal.
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hailed these goals as a universal, integrated, and transformative vision for a better world. All we can say, the startup community is in 100% agreement; each of them contributing in their own way.
