Welcome to My Founder's Journey
by, Kiran Ravi Kumar, London. October, 2024
Last updated
by, Kiran Ravi Kumar, London. October, 2024
Last updated
Hello! I’m Kiran Ravi Kumar, and I’m thrilled to share my story with you. I was born in 1995, in the serene town of Palakkad, Kerala, India, into a middle-class family that taught me the values of hard work, determination, and making a positive impact on the world. These values have been my guiding principles throughout my journey, from my early years to founding Energy Future World (EFW).
Growing up in Palakkad, Kerala, I was surrounded by nature — vast stretches of paddy fields where I spent my childhood running and playing with friends. Those carefree days in the fields were full of fun, but they also shaped my connection to the environment and gave me a deep appreciation for the natural world.
Alongside my love for the outdoors, I had a strong curiosity about how things worked. I would spend hours taking apart toys, gadgets, and machines, trying to understand their inner workings. This fascination with problem-solving and technology stayed with me as I grew, eventually leading me toward science, engineering, and ultimately, renewable energy. My early experiences helped me realize that technology could not only improve lives but also protect the environment I cherished.
In 2018, my perspective on the world and its vulnerabilities dramatically shifted when the devastating Kerala floods hit my home state. Seeing the destruction caused by extreme weather opened my eyes to the urgency of climate change. The floods were a wake-up call. They showed me firsthand how climate disasters can destabilize entire communities, and it became clear that we needed sustainable solutions to prevent these tragedies. From that moment, I knew that renewable energy had to be a part of the solution to climate resilience, and I committed myself to working in this field.
Driven by my newfound passion for combating climate change, I made the bold decision to move to the UK in 2020 to pursue a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy at Cranfield University. It was a challenging time globally — the world was dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, travel was restricted, and uncertainty was everywhere. But I used that time to fully immerse myself in my studies and focus on the future.
At Cranfield, I was introduced to the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship, which ignited my interest in innovation as a force for good. I began to see how entrepreneurship could drive sustainable development, and this realization laid the foundation for my future work.
In November 2021, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the COP 26 climate summit in Glasgow. This was my first time participating in such a high-level global event, and it was an eye-opener. Hearing world leaders, activists, and industry experts discuss the urgent need for climate action reinforced my belief in the importance of renewable energy. It was there that I began to develop the idea of making renewable energy investment more accessible to people around the world through the use of technology.
COP 26 was more than just an event for me — it was a moment of clarity. I knew that innovation was the key to tackling the climate crisis and that my contribution would be in using technology to democratize renewable energy.
As my studies progressed, I began working on my Master’s thesis, which focused on renewable energy, blockchain technology, and sustainable development. This research explored the potential of tokenization and Web3 technology to open up access to renewable energy investments, an area traditionally dominated by large financial institutions.
My thesis laid the foundation for what would become Energy Future World (EFW). I realized that by combining blockchain and crowdfunding, we could democratize access to renewable energy investments, empowering everyday people to contribute to sustainable projects.
In January 2023, I co-founded Energy Future World with my close colleagues Andrew Paizes and Abey Joseph, who brought a wealth of experience in finance, legal and strategic management. Together, we envisioned a platform that would revolutionize the way renewable energy projects are funded using asset tokenization and Web3 technology.
The goal was simple yet powerful: to make renewable energy investments accessible to more people, and to accelerate the world’s transition to clean energy by removing traditional barriers to entry. This vision, born from my experiences at Cranfield and COP 26, has driven us forward ever since.
One of the biggest milestones in our journey came when Energy Future World was selected to participate in the Startupbootcamp Renewable Energy and Net Zero Accelerator. This program was transformative for us. It connected us with mentors, investors, and like-minded peers who shared our passion for sustainable innovation. The accelerator helped refine our business model and prepared us for the next stage of growth.
The program culminated in a successful pitch, which led to us being selected to present at The Next Web (TNW) 2024, hosted by the Financial Times. Standing on that stage and sharing our vision with a global audience was an incredible experience. The positive reception confirmed that we were on the right track.
COP 29: Continuing the Fight for Climate Solutions
Fast forward to 2024, and I had the honour of attending COP 29 in Dubai, a place where the focus on renewable energy was stronger than ever. The discussions at COP 29 emphasized the need for urgent action and sustainable solutions, further validating the work we were doing at Energy Future World. Attending these global summits has continuously inspired me to push the boundaries of innovation in the clean energy sector.
In July 2024, I was granted the Innovator Founder Visa, a personal milestone that recognized my entrepreneurship and innovation in the UK. It was a proud moment not only for me but also for Energy FW Ltd, which received an endorsement from Innovator International, further validating our business model as scalable and impactful.
As I look back on this journey, I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. From the first sparks of curiosity as a child to standing on the global stage at events like COP 26, COP 29, and TNW 2024, every step has reinforced my commitment to creating a more sustainable world. Energy Future World is more than just a company — it’s a movement to democratize access to renewable energy and fight climate change through innovation.
I’m excited for the road ahead and the challenges we’ll tackle as we continue this mission. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me!
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