Leaders

Standing at the intersection of innovation, impact, and integrity is entrepreneur Parul Kamat Khatav, a scientist, sustainability advocate, and changemaker who blends purpose with progress. As the Founder and CEO of ECOBACS, a biotech-driven green startup for sustainable urban living, Parul brings personal passion and scientific rigor to the environmental space.

Raised as an only child in a naval household, frequent relocations to coastal and jungle-based stations nurtured her love for nature and adaptability. Coming from a family that values lifelong learning, she earned a B.Tech in Biotechnology from VIT, an MBA in Innovation Management, and is currently completing her Ph.D. while running two companies.

Her academic journey at VIT, rooted in hands-on research, ignited her interest in R&D and led to the founding of ECOBACS, which began as a lab focused on environmental biotechnology in 2019. Parul also co-leads SS Techno, a 25-year-old legacy enterprise, alongside her husband.

Tell us about your educational journey and highlight VIT’s impact on your growth?

From an early age, my parents encouraged all-round development, which naturally led me to take on leadership roles, culminating in serving as school captain in 12th grade while also becoming the school topper in the board exams.

Choosing to pursue a B.Tech in Biotechnology at VIT felt like a seamless next step, fuelled by my passion for biology and VIT’s reputation for academic excellence and holistic growth.

At VIT, curiosity, innovation, and initiative were actively nurtured, both in academics and co-curricular pursuits. It was an environment that empowered me to lead, explore new ideas, and bridge the gap between theory and real-world application. My foundation was built there, strengthened by hands-on research exposure and the confidence gained through a strong campus placement experience.

Take us through your professional journey. What were some crucial turning points in your professional journey?

My professional journey has been a fulfilling blend of science, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. It began with a campus placement at VIT, where I was among ten selected by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, gaining hands-on experience in process analytics and research.

A major turning point came when I joined my father-in-law’s company, SS Techno, specializing in turnkey Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems for industrial wastewater treatment. Contributing to environmental sustainability made the work deeply meaningful, and over time, I took on leadership roles across HR, Administration, strategy, and digital marketing, now co-leading the company with my husband.

Driven by a continued passion for research, I launched my own R&D lab in 2019, which led to the creation of a bio-fertilizer and eventually ECOBACS, a venture focused on making green living easy through home gardens and natural plant care.

From researcher to business leader to eco-entrepreneur, my path has been shaped by a commitment to innovation and impact.

What inspired you to establish ECOBACS?

Biotech has always been my passion, but in India, the career path in biotech is often narrow, with limited opportunities and very few startups leading the way. I wanted to change that for the generations to come. I believed there had to be a way to use science, to contribute meaningfully to the planet.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, I rediscovered gardening and saw it through a scientific lens. I realized urban greenery was vanishing, while many plant lovers lacked the know-how to care for their plants. That insight led to ECOBACS, a venture born from years of R&D, starting with a biofertilizer designed to help plants thrive effortlessly. Today, ECOBACS also offers workshops and products like terrariums and kokedamas, blending biotechnology with everyday green living to make gardening simple, holistic, and enriching.

What challenges do you encounter as an entrepreneur in the environmental services and sustainable products space? How do you navigate through these roadblocks?

A key challenge I face is balancing sustainability with scalability. We’re committed to ethical practices, but eco-friendly choices often come at a higher cost. For example, ECOBACS makes handcrafted terrariums, which can’t be mass-produced, making traditional scaling difficult.

Instead of chasing speed, we focus on meaningful growth rooted in our values. To overcome these hurdles, we invest in education and community-building through workshops that promote sustainable living. I believe in collaboration over competition, because there’s room for everyone in the mission toward a greener planet. For me, every challenge is a chance to innovate without compromising our core principles.

How do you foresee the Indian environmental services and sustainable products landscape evolving?

We’re at a tipping point, there’s a clear shift in both mindset and policy toward sustainability. More people are making eco-conscious choices, and governments are actively supporting green initiatives through regulations and incentives. The economy is gradually aligning with smart, circular, and green infrastructure.

Two key trends are driving change, namely sustainability and technology. Innovations in IoT and AI are transforming everything from agriculture to waste management. Working at the intersection of science, environment, and entrepreneurship, I see immense opportunity as sustainable solutions become central to how we live and grow in the future.

Looking back, what core values did VIT instill in you that continue to power your entrepreneurial journey?

Studying at VIT was transformative—I explored interdisciplinary learning, engaged in research, and grew through student-led initiatives. The open-access labs and inspiring mentors helped me develop a strong foundation in R&D, while living independently taught me life skills I carry to this day.

The Vellore campus, though known for its challenging climate, left a lasting impression with its expansive green campus and eco-conscious practices, from sewage treatment to electric buses. This deeply resonated with my values and continue to shape my work at ECOBACS. Most importantly, VIT fostered a mindset of innovation, lifelong learning, and purpose, which are qualities that define my entrepreneurial journey today.

Parul (Kamat) Khatav, Founder & CEO, ECOBACS

Parul (Kamat) Khatav, Founder & CEO of ECOBACS, has turned her passion for science and nature into practical solutions for urban green living. With a B.Tech in Biotechnology, an MBA in Innovation Management, and a Ph.D. in progress, she bridges research and business with expertise. She also serves as Director at SS Techno, leading HR, admin, IT, digital marketing etc.