COOK CLEAN – PITCH GREEN
Investor Pitching & Connect in Clean Cooking
COOK CLEAN – PITCH GREEN: Investor Pitching & Connect in Clean Cooking – 2023 was a flagship global initiative launched by Finovista, the Indian In-Country Partner of the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Programme, to accelerate investment in the clean cooking sector. The programme created a collaborative platform where startups, SMEs, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions, and ecosystem partners came together to unlock funding opportunities and promote sustainable energy solutions.
This initiative aimed to bridge the financing gap in clean cooking by enabling promising businesses to showcase innovative technologies, strengthen investment readiness, and establish meaningful partnerships with impact investors and strategic stakeholders worldwide.
About the Programme
Access to clean cooking remains one of the world's most pressing energy and development challenges. Around 2.4 billion people globally still rely on traditional cooking methods, affecting public health, environmental sustainability, and economic development.
Achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2030 requires an estimated USD 10 billion annually, yet current investments remain significantly below this level. One of the key barriers is the limited awareness among financial institutions and investors regarding clean cooking technologies, business models, market opportunities, and investment potential.
Recognizing this challenge, COOK CLEAN – PITCH GREEN was launched to strengthen the global clean cooking ecosystem by connecting innovative enterprises with investors, mentors, industry experts, and development partners. The programme also sought to build investor confidence by increasing awareness of clean cooking technologies and supporting long-term collaboration across the sector.
Why COOK CLEAN – PITCH GREEN?
The programme was designed to create a sustainable investment ecosystem by:
- Connecting clean cooking startups with domestic and international investors
- Facilitating access to private capital and investment opportunities
- Strengthening investment readiness among startups and SMEs
- Supporting commercialization of innovative clean cooking technologies
- Encouraging collaboration between innovators, financial institutions, incubators, and development organizations
- Promoting sustainable energy access and climate-resilient innovation
Bridging Innovation with Investment for a Cleaner Future
Turning clean cooking ideas into scalable impact
Thematic Areas
Applications were received from organisations working in
Electric Cooking (eCooking)
Solar Cooking
Biogas
Hydrogen-Based Cooking
LPG & PNG Solutions
Other Modern Energy-Based Cooking
Experts
Ms Pamili Deka
Regional Coordinator, South Asia, PFAN
Mr Marko Van Waveren Hogervorst
Partnership Manager at UNIDO, PFAN
Mr Venan Sondo
Business Advisor, PFAN
Mentors
Mr Sujan Paudel
Country Coordinator, PFAN
Dr Chitra Rajan
Business Coach, PFAN
Mr Amitava Sengupta
Country Coordinator, PFAN
Mr Shaymal Barman
Country Coordinator, PFAN
Frequently Asked Questions
Companies, startups, SMEs, innovators, and entrepreneurs from around the world working in clean cooking products, technologies, and services.
Yes. Applications were invited from organizations around the world through a fully virtual platform.
No. Training, mentoring, and participation in the virtual programme for shortlisted applicants were provided free of charge.
Twenty startups and SMEs were selected for the final Investor Pitching & Connect programme.
No. The COOK CLEAN – PITCH GREEN: Investor Pitching & Connect in Clean Cooking – 2023 programme concluded in 2023.