From air to aqua: This deeptech startup is turning air into a new source of water
With dual condensation and desiccation technology, Chennai-based Aeronero Solutions is redefining water generation for homes, industries, and governments.
In a world increasingly threatened by water scarcity, Chennai-based Aeronero Solutions is pioneering an innovative way to generate water, directly from the air. Founded in 2019 by Durga Das, a Silicon Valley technologist and former national-level cricketer, the company is tackling one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: access to clean, sustainable water.
According to a study published in Nature Communications, around 1.7 to 2.4 billion people worldwide are projected to face water shortages by 2050 due to urban growth, uneven rainfall, and falling groundwater levels, nearly doubling from 933 million in 2016.
When Cape Town faced its “Day Zero” water crisis in 2018, Das realised how serious the global water problem was. “It was staring me in the face, I had to do something about water,” Das says. With over 30 years of tech experience in Silicon Valley, Das founded Aeronero, a deep-tech company that uses science and innovation to make clean water from air.
Solution overview
Aeronero’s products use atmospheric water generation (AWG), extracting moisture from air and converting it into potable water. Most AWG systems work only under specific temperature or humidity levels, but Aeronero’s hybrid system, which combines condensation and desiccation technologies, can operate efficiently in diverse climatic conditions, including low-humidity regions.
The company manufactures all its products in-house in Chennai, with 22 employees. Its current product range spans from home units to industrial-scale systems, with modular designs capable of producing anywhere between 5,000 and 50,000 litres of water per day.
Aeronero’s products start at around Rs 75,000 for smaller home units and go up for larger systems that can produce thousands of litres daily. The company’s technology makes water at a cost of just Rs 4 per litre, one of the lowest in the world. When powered by solar energy, the water cost becomes zero, making it both affordable and sustainable.
From ideation to launch
Starting from the prototype in 2019, Aeronero has since developed and deployed its Version 2.0 models, scaling from home units to community-level systems. The company now operates under a B2B and B2G model, supplying to builders, industries, and government projects. It also follows a B2B2C approach, integrating its systems into large housing projects through developers.
Clients and market presence
Aeronero has served over 300 clients, with most remaining active users. Its flagship partnerships include Prestige Group, which is deploying Aeronero systems across 35,000 homes in 30 upcoming projects. The company also works with Kohinoor Builders in India and has secured contracts for a million homes in Mexico City.
Globally, the AWG sector features players like Watergen (Israel), Aquaria (US), Cumulus, Genesis Systems, and India’s Aero Water. However, Aeronero stands apart through its hybridisation of condensation and desiccation, enabling production in regions where traditional systems fail.
Expansion and future plans
Aeronero has raised about Rs 8 crore ($1 million) and is now closing its pre-Series A round. From Rs 4 crore last year, the company’s revenues have grown to Rs 40 crore in FY25, marked by strong expansion momentum, according to the founder.
By March 2026, Aeronero aims to have 5,000 clients and launch AQUAIR, a bottled-water brand produced entirely from air, targeting the hospitality industry. The brand will debut in 10 Indian cities and Cabo, Mexico, where it plans to serve 500 hotels.
Aeronero is setting up its new manufacturing unit in Mexico, which will be launched by the end of the month. The company also plans to open another facility in the Middle East (UAE) next month. These regional units will help Aeronero produce and supply systems locally for each market.
Aeronero Solutions is part of YourStory’s Tech30 cohort—a selection of India’s most promising startups of 2025—unveiled at TechSparks Bengaluru.
