Overview
The Terrarium is a Bangalore-based platform that helps sustainable materials startups move from the lab to the market. Founded by Mridu Jhangiani in 2023, it supports climate biotech and alternative materials founders with clear guidance, strong networks, and practical help to raise funding and run industry pilots.
Their Approach
The Terrarium works more like a commercialisation engine than a typical accelerator. It brings founders, investors and companies together to solve real problems, helps startups shape clear stories and connect with the right funding and supports companies in testing and adopting new sustainable materials. Monthly invite-only sessions focus on identifying and removing the specific roadblocks that stop low-carbon and bio-based materials from scaling.
Key Focus Areas
Ecosystem Building
The Terrarium hosts sector-focused roundtables and founder forums, including the Indo-US Founders Forum for Bio-based Materials and sector-specific discussions on built environment, battery technology and plastics. In 2024, over 800 speakers, participants and partners engaged with the platform, including Ginkgo Bioworks, Saint-Gobain, P&G, DuPont, Novozymes, Tesla, BIRAC, IISc, IIT Madras, Ankur Capital, Avaana Capital and The Good Food Institute.
Startup Services
For innovators, The Terrarium offers pitch development, storytelling, investor introductions and strategic positioning. The platform has supported startups including StringBio, Banyu Carbon, Amylo, Avisa Myko and Terra Bioware. Notably, Dharaksha Ecosolutions founder Arpit Dhupar secured a term sheet from an investor met at a Terrarium event.
Industry Partnerships
For corporates, The Terrarium helps identify promising material substitutes and de-risk adoption of sustainable alternatives. Partners include Saint-Gobain (through their NOVA external ventures arm), Swissnex and pi Ventures. A collaboration with The Good Food Institute India produced a report on scaling infrastructure and financing for India's alternative protein sector (August 2024).
Recognition & Impact
Impact & Recognition
The Terrarium has built a community of 800+ participants since launching in September 2023, convening founders, investors and corporate sustainability leaders across its forums.
"Unlike most other startup events, Terrarium provides the right conditions for candid discussions on important factors that impact the industry at large." - Tejas Rao, External Ventures Manager, NOVA by Saint Gobain
In August 2024, The Terrarium partnered with The Good Food Institute India to produce a report on scaling infrastructure and financing for India's alternative protein sector. Other sector reports cover low-carbon materials for the built environment (July 2025).
Key People
- Mridu Jhangiani – Founder (Previously Principal at Meraki Labs, one of India's first venture studios)
