Growing up in a conservative household in Delhi posed challenges in pursuing my dreams. In an era dominated by men studying engineering, I had to defy societal norms and prove that women can excel in any field, whether it's finance, technology, banking, or beyond.
In a world where access to clean water remains a pressing global challenge, Dr. Vibha Tripathi, the Managing Director of Boon, has emerged as a trailblazer in the field of water conservation. Her dedication to sustainable solutions and social impact has not only transformed communities but also inspired aspiring social entrepreneurs.
In this exclusive interview with ET Edge Insights, Doctor Vibha Tripathi, CEO of Gurugram-based water tech startup Boon, shares her journey, experiences, and insights.
Dr.Vibha’s passion for water conservation was kindled during her involvement in a UNIDO-funded project. She recounts a profound experience while visiting a rural village in the Unnao District, where she witnessed the devastating impact of contaminated water on the health of its residents, especially children. This village suffered from highly contaminated water, with contamination levels exceeding acceptable limits by 30 times. She states,
“Motivated by the desire to make a difference, I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey to find solutions for providing clean drinking water to areas grappling with water contamination and scarcity.”
As an influential leader in the industry, Dr. Vibha firmly believes that technology plays a critical role in achieving sustainable development goals. She highlights Boon’s innovative AI-enabled IoT platform, Clairvoyant, as a prime example of how technology can gather and analyse real-time data on water quality parameters, ensuring the provision of safe and clean drinking water. Dr. Vibha emphasizes,
“By leveraging technology, we can gather and analyse data more efficiently and effectively, reducing health risks and optimizing resource allocation.”
Social entrepreneurship lies at the core of her work. By combining business acumen with a focus on social and environmental issues, she and her team at Boon drive innovation and promote sustainable infrastructure development. They have developed technologies, such as solar-powered WaterATMs, to address societal challenges and foster local economic development. Dr. Vibha explains,
“Our primary focus was on areas and communities with limited access to technology and infrastructure. As a result, we developed solar-powered water purifiers since there was no existing grid infrastructure to support our systems.”
Boon’s WaterATMs have brought significant changes to communities with limited access to clean water. Vibha shares a heartwarming success story from Faridpur, where a pregnant woman expressed her gratitude, saying, “‘Ab paani waaste milam mila nhi turana painda,’ which translates to ‘Now we don’t have to wander around for water anymore’.” This heartfelt moment marks a milestone towards success.
Being recognised as a “Sociopreneur,” Dr. Vibha is passionate about effecting positive change in society while generating social capital. She believes that social entrepreneurs can play a crucial role in addressing water-related challenges and providing environmentally friendly water management systems.
“Social entrepreneurs contribute to the sustainable development goals by combining business acumen with a focus on social and environmental impact,”
Education and awareness-building activities are central to Boon’s initiatives in water conservation and management. Vibha and her team actively engage with local communities, schools, and organizations, conducting workshops and leveraging online platforms and social media to share knowledge about water-saving techniques and the significance of water quality monitoring. She highlights,
“By ensuring data transparency and sharing research findings, we empower individuals and organizations to make informed decisions.”
Collaboration is the backbone of Boon’s success. Dr. Vibha emphasises the importance of partnerships between governments, businesses, and NGOs to address sustainability challenges effectively. Successful collaborations with UNIDO, REEEP, the Government of India, and the JSW Foundation have enabled Boon to implement projects at a larger scale, influence policy frameworks, and raise awareness about sustainable practices.
From being a researcher at IIT Kanpur to becoming the Managing Director of Boon, Dr. Vibha Tripathi’s journey reflects her determination to defy societal norms and pursue her dreams. Her perseverance and dedication have been pivotal in her accomplishments, and she continues to be an inspiration to aspiring social entrepreneurs worldwide.
Dr. Vibha’s story is a testament to the transformative power of passion, innovation, and social entrepreneurship in addressing critical societal challenges. Through her efforts, she is empowering communities, fostering a future where clean water is accessible to all, and promoting sustainable practices to lead the way to societal progress.
Authored by : Yash Mishra
