Sustainability and entrepreneurship converge as powerful forces for driving positive change. Join us as we uncover the inspiring journey of Lakshmi Shruti Settipalli, a former participant of Futurize’s COVID-19 Recovery Challenge and an entrepreneur driven by a passion for building green solutions through emerging technology and research at Ecoverse Inc.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your entrepreneurial journey?

My name is Lakshmi Shruti Settipalli, and I was born and raised in India among a family of entrepreneurs. I have been fortunate to travel across the globe and pursue a career as a professional athlete, representing India in 45 countries. Growing up, I always had a strong desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. However, I was unsure about the best way to achieve this and which medium to utilize.

Eventually, I pursued my undergraduate studies at George Washington University, gaining a global perspective on business and its connection to world politics. This experience inspired me to explore entrepreneurship further. I discovered Imperial College London, renowned for its research and support for young entrepreneurs, and enrolled in its MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Management program. During the program, I conducted extensive research in the areas of impact and healthcare. I engaged with numerous individuals, tested various ideas, and sought to build upon them.

Now in London, I'm building my own business with the knowledge and support I gained from my education. During this journey, I also had the opportunity to cross paths with Futurize, where I found a great support system to help achieve my entrepreneurial vision.

**“If you are not in the realm of entrepreneurship, you will do repetitive tasks, which eventually will be taken over by machine learning.”**

**Lakshmi Shruti Settipalli**, Founder and Managing Director at Ecoverse

What has your experience been with Futurize?

After completing my year at Imperial College London during the pandemic, our cohort faced immense challenges. We were forced to return to our homes, uncertain about our future as students and entrepreneurs. It was a disorienting time, with companies shutting down and job prospects dwindling. However, amidst this uncertainty, Rhea Singhla (CEO and Co-founder of Futurize) initiated the COVID-19 Recovery Challenge through her venture Futurize. This innovative challenge brought together over 170 to 200 entrepreneurs on Zoom, rekindling the spirit of entrepreneurship and providing us with a support system while working collaboratively to develop a product or service to help individuals, businesses, and industries recover from the pandemic. I fondly remember Rhea and her team for their timely support when we needed it the most. Their initiative helped us regain our focus and determination in such trying times.

This aspect of empathy is crucial to me because entrepreneurship is not a smooth and linear journey. It has its ups and downs, and having a solid support system through Futurize was vital.

Can you tell us more about your company Ecoverse Inc.?

Ecoverse is a research, innovation, and technology company focused on sustainability and green solutions. Our goal is to create products, resources, and technology that promote sustainability without compromising convenience. We aim to challenge the notion that sustainability is only for the elite, recognizing that it should be accessible to everyone, including those in developing countries facing severe poverty.

Having lived in numerous countries and experienced different cultures, I realized that the one thing that unites us all is our planet—the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the overall well-being of people, animals, and ecosystems. This understanding drove me to focus on sustainability as an industry, particularly within e-commerce.

At Ecoverse, our focus is on developing products and technologies that do not require consumers to change their behavior. We strive to create solutions that are easily understandable, affordable, and on par with the durability of traditional plastic products. Our bio-plastics, for example, are lighter, offering the same convenience without compromising sustainability.

Over the past year, we have experienced exponential growth and have expanded our presence across three continents, with our factory, R&D team, resource team, and sales team strategically located. Our vision is to scale Ecoverse to make sustainability accessible and affordable to everyone, regardless of location or economic status. We are committed to reducing disparities and making a positive impact globally.

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur, and how does Futurize support the entrepreneurial journey?

The journey of entrepreneurship is incredibly demanding, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual aspects. It takes all of you and then some more! Success as an entrepreneur requires qualities like self-belief, resilience, and sacrifice. It's a challenging journey, especially for those with limited exposure to entrepreneurship. However, anyone can achieve entrepreneurial goals with the right mindset, personal growth, adaptability, and persistence.

Futurize’s programs cater to aspiring entrepreneurs, providing a supportive environment to accelerate progress, gain inspiration, and access peer-based learning. As a part of a cohort, you can gain opportunities for networking, collaboration, and shared experiences that help bolster entrepreneurial success.

What would you recommend to students worldwide looking to be entrepreneurs?

While I may not have enough experience to offer comprehensive recommendations, I emphasize the importance of not being solely captivated by the glamour of entrepreneurship. Building a business requires dedication, resilience, and patience.

Capitalism functions based on fulfilling needs and exchanging value. Therefore, knowing the competitive marketplace and ensuring that your product or company addresses specific customer needs is crucial. While it's important to have a genuine passion for what you do, it's equally essential to understand the dynamic nature of the marketplace.

In 1 sentence, can you tell us why young individuals should pursue entrepreneurship?

If you are not in the realm of entrepreneurship, you will do repetitive tasks, which eventually will be taken over by machine learning.

You could be next to launch your own business!

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur? Discover how Futurize programs can empower you to launch your own business by allowing you to test ideas, receive design thinking training, and build prototypes through experimental, cohort-based learning. If you’d like to learn more about Futurize and how you can get involved, explore our programs here.

Reimagining Sustainability through Accessible Products: Uncover Lakshmi Shruti Settipalli’s Entrepreneurial Journey