Innovation

SmartPaani's primary innovation is a line of rainwater capture and filtration systems. They have installed over 500 such systems, mostly in the Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, and are now looking to expand outside of the valley and internationally. One of these systems is capable of reducing a home's dependence on groundwater or municipal water supplies by 50-70% per year, according to the company's website. This has been extremely valuable to the company's customers in the Kathmandu Valley.

Most of Nepal enjoys water produced by the melting of the nearby Himalayan glaciers, but the case is different in Kathmandu, which struggles with water poverty. SmartPaani's rainwater harvesting setups help relieve the water stress for their customers by collecting rainwater. Their line of filters, especially their Tripti filter, ensures the water is clean and suitable for drinking, cooking, washing, etc. The company also sells equipment to allow for water recycling.

The company has also been recognized for its policies promoting gender equality. Woman entrepreneurs have started businesses selling its Tripti filters all over Nepal.

Inspiration

Tyler McMahon traveled to Nepal in 2007 on a Fulbright Scholarship to study the economics of urban rainwater harvesting. On the trip, he met some technicians, with whom he has stayed in touch. It was then that he first saw an opening for a private company to provide services that augmented those already provided by the activists and nonprofits working to end water poverty.

Tyler spent the next two years in Nepal working as a consultant. He kept returning to questions regarding water harvesting and filtration. In 2010 he joined Toastmasters International. After a presentation on the idea he had for the business that would eventually become SmartPaani, a senior Toastmaster approached him and said that he did not think the idea was doable, but he would nonetheless be interested in giving it a try on his own house. The senior Toastmaster was Suman Shakya, who would soon co-found SmartPaani with Tyler. The installation was done in June and July 2011. It went well and the company officially launched in September of that year.

Overall impact

SmartPaani produces a line of water harvesting and filtration systems: the Biosand Filter, the Tripti Filter, and the RainCap are three of these. The Kathmandu Valley, where the comapny is based, has faced water shortages for two decades because it is not reached by the runoff from the melting Himalayan glaciers. In the seven years it has been operating, SmartPaani has installed over 500 rain capture and filtration systems, mostly in this region. The rain capture and filtration systems are incredibly valuable to cusomers, because they reduce the need to rely on competing sources of water by 50-70%. Competing sources, such as water delivery trucks, are very expensive.

The company's marketing and distribution strategy involves allowing entrepreneurs in the area to make a business out of selling the filters, especially the Tripti filters. After their success in Nepal, SmartPaani is looking to take its innovation to Pakistan.

Business benefit

SmartPaani's innovations are its business. Last year, in a story about the company published on this website, Muzammil Ashraf noted that the company has expanded its operations to 16 districts in Nepal. As previously mentioned, it has installed over 500 systems. The company was one of 17 Flourish Prize winners for 2017.

SmartPaani is not done growing. They are looking to expand into other South Asian nations that have a similar need of their services. Bangladesh and Pakistan were both considered as next steps for the company. Our team had the privilege of helping SmartPaani decide on which country to tackle. After we discussed the pros and cons of each nation, they chose Pakistan, and we are now preparing a report to inform their Pakistan strategy.

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Social and environmental benefit

SmartPaani embodies flourishing enterprise in more ways than one. The company's headquarters are powered with 100% renewable energy. Their business model has been organized around the goal of eliminating water poverty. Its products have helped people gain access to safe clean water in Nepal and soon will be doing so in Pakistan as well.

The company has also undertaken a philanthropic initiative to eliminate plastic waste. This year, they sponsored 8 different "plastic free outdoors" events. Plastic pollution has done cataclysmic harm to the world, especially in the oceans.

Last but not least, Smartpaani's staffing and marketing policies empower women business. Much of their distribution network is made up of woman entrepreneurs who have made a business of selling filters.

Interview

Tyler McMahon, International Advisor