Chennai-based Wankel Energy Systems announced a $1 million pre-seed funding round led by Shastra VC, with participation from strategic angel investors.
The startup, which was incubated through IIT Madras, specializes in developing technology to reduce wasted steam energy potential. The Phoenix is the company’s rotary expander, which is designed to replace pressure-reducing valves in industrial boilers and improve energy efficiency by turning steam pressure into clean electricity. Each expander is estimated to save as much as ₹50 lakhs each year, according to a statement posted by Shastra VC.
Reporting by The Hindu Business Line shows Wankel plans to deploy at least six expanders in various industrial sectors in the coming months so that it can evaluate real-world performance and collect customer insights. The first year of deployments will be focused in Tamil Nadu before scaling to other regions, with the goal of deploying over 1,000 units across Indian and global markets throughout the next decade.
