Founders: Shekar Prabhakar, Nalini Shekar & Marwan Abubaker

Portfolio Partner: 2020

Operational State: Karnataka

Hasiru Dala Innovations (“Green Brigade” in Kannada) is a waste management enterprise that works with marginalized waste pickers to help them create better livelihoods for themselves while providing end to end waste management services. The company’s business model leverages the innate entrepreneurship of waste pickers and enables them to integrate into the mainstream economy with a goal of empowering them to be independent.

Visit their website to learn more.

About the Founders:

Nalini Shekar co-founded Hasiru Dala and KKPKP, organizations supporting wastepickers in Bangalore and Pune. She previously worked on violence against women in the USA. At Hasiru, she focuses on integrating wastepickers into urban waste systems and securing social benefits for them. Nalini has received the Kempegowda Award, the “Vasundara Mitra” Award, and the Jijabai Award, and was named one of BBC.com's 100 women making a difference in India.

Shekar Prabhakar, Managing Director of Hasiru Dala Innovations, has 21 years in IT sales and marketing, including a role as Global Head at Zensar Technologies. He transitioned to academia as an Associate Professor at Welingkar Institute of Management. He holds degrees from IIT Madras and IIM Calcutta and lives in Bangalore with his wife Nalini and their dog, Ginger.

Marwan Abubaker has over twelve years of experience in agriculture, fish farming, and community services. He co-founded The Golden Husk NGO and led community projects at Radio Active. Active in Bangalore's Solid Waste Management Roundtable, he piloted the first Dry Waste Collection Center in 2011 and has conducted over 200 waste management awareness programs. Marwan co-founded Hasiru Dala Innovations in 2015 and has worked on sustainable waste management projects across various locations.