Meet Perovskia co-founder Anand Verma—a Venture Leader Deeptech who crafts designer solar cells for consumer devices and IoT

16.11.2021 07:15, Isabelle Mitchell

Perovskia enables solar cells to be designed around products rather than building products around solar cells. The startup has developed a digital printing technology to fabricate efficient and stable perovskite solar cells with custom design capabilities, which can be used in high-end electronic devices, the Internet of things, and even customized solar tiles. Get to know Perovskia co-founder Anand, learn more about his expectations for the Venture Leaders experience, and find out which book, pantry staple, and piece of advice shape his entrepreneurial journey. 

The Swiss National Startup Team has 10 new deeptech members: An expert jury has chosen 10 companies whose innovative potential transforms engineering, robotics, supply chains, logistics, and sustainability. Before the startups embark on their investor roadshow to Munich and London later this month, we will introduce you to the Venture Leaders Deeptech 2021. We asked each entrepreneur to complete a short profile and choose at least six questions from a questionnaire about their personal and professional life.

Name: Anand Verma 
Location: Aubonne 
Nationality: Indian 
Graduated from: Technische Universität Chemnitz 
Job title: Founder and CEO of Perovskia
Number of employees: 3 
Money raised: CHF 250K
First touchpoint with Venturelab: September 2020 (Venture Kick Stage I)

“Perovskia offers digitally printed customizable solar cells.”

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
Perovskia Solar is an outcome of market pull. A multi-billion dollar revenue company came to us—after reading our reach work carried out at Empa—enquiring about next-gen solar cells for their electronics good application. We explored this unique opportunity and market potential, which led to the formation of Perovskia Solar SA.

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision? 
We look forward to the exposure provided by the roadshow and meeting probable investors and customers. We are excited to explore the Munich and London ecosystem and learn from the experiences of the VL deep-tech team.

What is the one talent you wish you had? 
To speak all languages of the world! It would help appreciate the beauty and complexity of the global social fabric. 

What is your favorite movie? 
The Matrix series. The storyline and the acting convey the concept of the movies in a lucid manner.

What is your favorite book?
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari is my favorite book. It provides a comprehensive look into the history of homo sapiens. I always recommend this book to my friends and especially their growing children, as this will help broaden their perspective. 

What is always in your fridge? 
Fresh cheese and Babybel for the kid. 

What are you most proud of?
I am happy about the evolutionary journey so far. 

What advice would you give your teenage self? 
All will be well. Just keep learning and evolving. Making mistakes is an integral part of the evolutionary process.

How did you come up with the name of your startup? 
Our co-founder Dr. Toby Meyer came up with the name Perovskia (Russian sage), as the perovskite mineral is named after the Russian mineralogist Lev Perovski. 

How and where do you clear your mind?
I go for a long walk in the beautiful Swiss countryside.

What is the most challenging aspect of being a founder? 
Dealing with challenges becomes a part of day-to-day life. Most of the challenges can be foreseen and should be planned for, but few arise unexpectedly, and then one should free its mind to take the most logical and sane decision.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a founder? 
To work hard on your dream and navigate it through calm as well as turbulent waters.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
 “When your research is successful, bring it to the market.” – Ban Ki-Moon (former secretary-general of the United Nations) 


For more information and updates on Perovskia and the Venture Leaders Deeptech, follow the Venture Leaders Deeptech 2021 team with #VLeadersDeeptech on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 
 
Venture Leaders Deeptech 2021 program is organized by Venturelab and supported by swissnex, EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Helbling Group, Walder Wyss, the Canton of Vaud, and the Canton of Zurich.