Introduction

In a country where rising temperatures have made air conditioning feel like a necessity rather than a luxury, Ambiator is trying to change how Indians think about cooling. Founded by Jeeten Desai and Tiger Aster, Ambiator is building a climate appropriate and energy efficient alternative to conventional air conditioners that focuses on human health as well as sustainability. 

A Chance Meeting 

The founders came together almost by chance through LinkedIn. Later, when Tiger Aster and his father were conducting a demo near Jeeten Desai’s home, a casual decision to check it out led to deeper conversations. That meeting eventually turned into a partnership.

Entrepreneurship that Evolved

For Tiger Aster entrepreneurship emerged during a deeply personal phase. After losing his father he realised that while he had strong technical expertise, he could not build something meaningful alone. A candid conversation with Jeeten Desai led to a shared decision to work together on something that could positively impact people, the planet, and society at large.

Jeeten Desai on the other hand, had already founded a startup in the past and had experience evaluating companies for investments. For him, Ambiator was a natural transition from helping other startups grow to building and owning something of his own. Their complementary skill sets combined with clearly defined responsibilities became the foundation of their collaboration.

Rethinking Cooling for Indian Homes

Ambiator is designed for residential, commercial, and institutional spaces. Unlike traditional air conditioners that cool isolated rooms, Ambiator works as a centralised system aimed at maintaining uniform temperatures across spaces.

In a typical Indian home it is common to move from an air conditioned bedroom into a hot living room, causing what Jeeten Desai calls a thermal shock. Ambiator tries to eliminate this by maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures while also ensuring fresh air circulation and optimal humidity. Each Ambiator unit can handle around 750 square feet, stretching up to 1,000 square feet in some cases.

Evolution and Upgrades 

Like most hardware startups, Ambiator’s product has evolved significantly since its first version. Early deployments helped the team understand the challenges faced by customers. One major improvement involved increasing the machine’s length by just 100 mm, which allowed the fan to move air more efficiently.

Other major upgrades included shifting from three-phase to single-phase power which made the system easier to install, solar ready, and less dependent on heavy wiring. Importantly, early customers were not left behind. The team ensured that first generation users were upgraded, a decision that reflects their customer first approach.

Ambiator Private Limited has been gaining strong momentum within India’s innovation ecosystem. The company was recently recognised as an ACCELERATE Award winner at Panasonic Ignition 3.0. The team describes its engagement with Panasonic India as deeply inspiring, noting that the recognition has further strengthened its commitment to building sustainable, energy-efficient cooling solutions. In addition to this, Ambiator has also received support through several prestigious grants and initiatives, including Kotak BizLabs, the Startup India Grand Challenge, the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge, and the T-Spark Telangana Innovation Grant. 

Customised Cooling

Ambiator currently works best in hot and dry climates which explains why it is suitable for about 70% of India. Coastal and high humidity regions need different cooling approaches. However, the founders emphasise that climate specific solutions are essential. What works in Rajasthan should not automatically be applied in Mumbai.

Interestingly, Bengaluru has emerged as one of Ambiator’s strongest markets. Early adopters in Bengaluru prefer fresh air over conventional air-conditioned air and are more open to new technologies. The team is already working on designs for other climatic conditions, with energy efficiency remaining at the core.

The Child of an AC and Cooler

While air conditioners are effective, they consume large amounts of power and rely on refrigerants that are harmful to the environment. Coolers come with their own problems like noise, excessive humidity, and reduced effectiveness as temperatures rise.

Ambiator positions itself between these two. It cools air first and then enhances comfort using evaporation, resulting in significantly lower electricity and water consumption. Compared to four ACs in a 3BHK home using 8–9 kilowatts of power, Ambiator can bring consumption down to about 3 kilowatts. 

Is Sustainability Always More Expensive?

There is a common belief that sustainable products cost more. Ambiator challenges this idea by focusing on total cost of ownership rather than upfront pricing. With low operating costs, users can recover any price difference within a year or so. 

For the founders, awareness and policy support are crucial. Incentives, lower GST rates, and government backing could accelerate adoption of made-in-India climate technologies.

Advice To Aspiring Founders

Their advice to young founders is practical. Pick a large problem that affects millions. Don’t fall in love with your product too much and be ready to listen, adapt, and pivot. Raise the right kind of capital at the right time. And most importantly, remember that no job is small. If something needs to be done, do it. 

As climate challenges intensify, Ambiator’s journey highlights an important shift that cooling is no longer just about comfort. It is about health, sustainability, and building technologies that can serve the people and our planet simultaneously.

Interview By: Khevna Reddy