LongStraw started with the vision of transforming India’s most overlooked agricultural byproduct biomass waste into an instrument of planetary healing and rural empowerment. In a nation that annually generates over 200 million tonnes of agricultural residue, we saw not refuse, but an untapped repository of ecological promise and economic potential. Rather than consign this biomass to the flames of open burning or the slow decay of neglect, we reimagined it through pyrolysis, as biochar: a stable, soil-enriching form of carbon removal that not only sequesters emissions but catalyses local livelihoods.

We are an eclectic cohort, united not by uniformity of background but by a shared commitment to impact.

Vineet Agarwal has brought 20 years of sustainability and business building experience. He has headed some cool start ups and some established companies before as well.

Anwita graduated from a Russell group and dabbled in sustainability related fields for a few years, tried building in nature tech & finally realised that black (biochar) is the new gold.

Utkarsh did his chemical engineering from BITS and thanks to his degree, realised that biochar can be revolutionary, pretty quick.

Vivegan came from BITS too - he came for the internship and stayed back for the carbon.