Meet SmartHelio co-founder Govinda Upadhyay and find out how the Venture Leader Technology extends the lives of solar assets 

03.11.2021 10:15, Isabelle Mitchell

SmartHelio provides diagnostics and predictive solutions for solar assets: The startup has developed an AI-based cloud platform that analyzes critical factors such as shading, connector faults, or wire rust. SmartHelio’s cloud solution does not need and new hardware or software. Instead, the proprietary IoT sensors can seamlessly connect with any existing monitoring platforms to enhance the ability to continuously locate faults in real time. Get to know SmartHelio co-founder and CEO Govinda Upadhyay, learn more about his expectations for the Venture Leaders Technology experience, and discover which music genre makes his brain cells dance.  

Earlier this year, 10 technology startups—covering a range of topics such as computer vision, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, logistics, and sustainability—joined the Swiss National Startup Team. To advance their global growth, the Venture Leaders Technology 2021 will travel to Silicon Valley to showcase Switzerland’s innovative power and network with investors and industry leaders. To ensure you know which startups transform the technology industry, we will introduce you to the startups selected by the expert jury. 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: Govinda Upadhyay
Location: Lausanne
Nationality: India
Graduated from: EPFL, Researcher, 2015; TU Eindhoven, 2012 Master in Sustainable energy
Your job title: Co-founder and CEO of SmartHelio
Number of employees: 20
Money raised: CHF 1 million
First touchpoint with Venturelab: In 2019, I attended a workshop by Venturelab and Innosuisse

“SmartHelio is the doctor of solar plants.”

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
For my first startup (edtech to teach children about climate change), I traveled across Africa and Asia, where I saw that a lot of solar panels were thrown away because they were not working. This made me think about a solar diagnostic solution to help solar users to provide intervention at the right time so that solar panels do not get sick. We build affordable advanced sensors and intelligent software to detect problems in solar plants fast and predict any issues.
 
What do you expect from the Venture Leaders roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
I am hoping to meet like-minded investors, clients, and possible partners who are excited about improving efficiency in energy systems. 
  
What is your favorite movie?
#SpoilerAlert
La vita è bella (Life is beautiful) by Roberto Benigni. I watched this movie when I was 17 years old, during the first year of grad school in India. I highly recommend this movie: It inspired me to handle tough situations calmly and smartly. Another movie is 12 Angry Men by Sydney Lumet: I love the negotiation skill and determination shown by the actors, which ultimately saved the life of an innocent man who was about to get convicted for a murder. 
 
What advice would you give your teenage self?
As a teenager (growing up in the Indian middle class), I used to be very worried about my grad school and what will I do in the future, and I wanted to have a good job in India, etc. Now I am an entrepreneur in Switzerland, trying to solve a climate change challenge. I would say to my teenage self: Just work and enjoy the moment. Life is very unpredictable, and it is more challenging than teenage life.

What is one thing not many people know about you? 
I love metal music, and during my university days, I used to listen to metal while solving physics and maths problems. I reckon that most people think that I might be into more peaceful music!
 
How did you come up with the name of your startup? 
We want to make solar smarter. Helios is a Greek sun god, and we make him smarter! Hence, SmartHelio. To be honest, we brainstormed on this name for two months.
 
What is the most challenging aspect of being a founder?  
Managing people’s emotions and expectations in a startup. You need to convince super-smart people to work with you for less/no money and sell them your vision. Then, when the team is growing up, you need to keep hiring smart people and make sure they are intrinsically motivated to work for the vision.
 
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a founder? 
 I love it when a customer says that your solution helped me a lot. Thank you! Also, to see the big impact our product is making by making solar energy systems more efficient and easy to operate.


For more information and updates on SmartHelio and the Venture Leaders Technology, follow the Venture Leaders Technology 2021 team with #VLeadersTech on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 
 
The Venture Leaders Technology 2021 program is organized by Venturelab and supported by dpd Switzerland, EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Intel, Kellerhals Carrard, Rothschild & Co, and the Canton of Vaud.