New Delhi-based Oorja Development Solutions, a spin-out company from the Imperial College of London was awarded $100,000 for winning the 2019 Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge. The social enterprise, co-founded in 2016 by Dr. Clementine Chambon of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and social entrepreneur Amit Saraogi, was the winner of this year’s competition for developing and operating pay-as-you-go community solar pumping systems in rural India. Overall, 335 teams competed for $330,000 in prizes.
Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge aims to recognize new business ideas that leverage technology for social impact from student entrepreneurs around the world. The Challenge is open to students and recent alumni from any college or university.
Oorja (meaning ‘energy’ ) provides “affordable solar solutions, from electrifying small businesses to powering solar irrigation pumps to increase income and productivity in rural markets. Replacing diesel engines, using energy as a catalyst for economic development and creation of jobs, and combating climate change – these are the three core elements of our mission,” says CEO Saraogi. The company aims to tackle the lack of access to energy in the Indian rural community by installing off-grid solar energy systems. The venture is helping to replace diesel generators that are currently being used in agricultural and industrial applications and also helping the transition away from fossil fuels.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
