Our Start-ups

Wankel Energy Systems (WES)

IIT Madras

Wankel Energy Systems (WES), founded by IIT Madras alumni, designs and manufactures advanced expanders for energy recovery in process industries. Their flagship innovation, the Dynamic Volumetric Control Expander, significantly improves energy efficiency by harnessing the work potential of saturated steam, outperforming conventional turbines and expanders under variable load and low-flow conditions. Despite the technical strength of their product, WES initially faced challenges in identifying the right market segments and aligning their solution with real customer needs. Their assumptions about uniform high energy demand across process industries required validation, and their engagement with potential customers was limited.

Joining GDC’s I-NCUBATE program marked a turning point for WES. The structured mentorship and customer discovery framework provided by the program enabled the team to validate and refine their business thesis by directly engaging with industry stakeholders. They discovered that sectors such as paper, textile, and brewery exhibited strong energy-saving potential, while the pharmaceutical sector offered limited opportunities. The program also helped them understand that key investment decisions often rest with CEOs and CFOs rather than operational managers, leading to a more targeted market segmentation and clearer identification of early adopters. This shift from a purely technical focus to a customer-centric approach allowed WES to better align product development with real-world demands. Furthermore, the I-NCUBATE program’s strategic guidance equipped WES with the tools to build a scalable business model and gain investor credibility.

As a result of their participation in the program, WES sharpened their market focus on energy recovery in low-flow steam applications and attracted significant investor interest, culminating in a $1 million pre-seed funding round led by Shastra VC in 2025. The company now holds three granted patents and protects over 20 innovations as trade secrets, establishing itself as a leader in the energy efficiency technology space. With plans to deploy over 1,000 units globally in the next decade, WES is addressing a critical gap in industrial energy conservation.

Building on the momentum gained through GDC’s I-NCUBATE program, WES continues to deepen customer discovery, engage with Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and energy efficiency platforms, and align its solutions with government initiatives aimed at improving industrial energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints. The journey of Wankel Energy Systems highlights the transformative impact of GDC’s I-NCUBATE program in empowering deep-tech startups to evolve from innovative ideas into market-ready solutions with strong business potential. Through targeted mentorship, customer engagement, and strategic clarity, WES has overcome early challenges and is now well-positioned for impactful growth in the global energy sector.

Here is a video from Wankel Energy Systems during their participation in the GDC I-NCUBATE Cohort 26, showcasing their journey and vision.