July 17, 2025
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Episode 5: Rhea Dabriwala and Naveen Shivalingam - Turning Agricultural Residue into Climate Solutions

In episode 5 of the Scaling Green Tech podcast, Katherine Keddie speaks with Rhea Dabriwala and Naveen Shivalingam, the co-founders of GroundUp, a pioneering startup transforming India’s agricultural residue into high-impact biochar. They unpack how GroundUp is building a new generation of industrial-scale biochar hubs that don’t just remove carbon from the atmosphere, but also regenerate soil, boost farmer livelihoods, and unlock circular supply chains.

They break down the science behind biochar, the future of carbon markets, and  the scale of what’s possible. They also explore what it takes to raise a $5M seed round, build trust in high-integrity carbon credits, and stay obsessed through the hardest parts of the founder journey.

If you’re interested in scalable carbon removal, climate tech in the Global South, or what it really takes to build a meaningful green business, this one’s for you.

illustration of Earth