Shivam Tripathi – A Visionary Fueling India’s Clean Mobility Mission

Shivam Tripathi, Founder & CEO of ECO-DEF is an entrepreneur of the first generation whose story is as ennobling as his work. Having lost his father at just 17, Shivam experienced life’s cruellest lessons early on. Despite the emotional and financial upheaval that just in a few years hit him and his family, he was resilient and found a way to view the future through the lens of stories about persistence, gratitude and hope.

His venture, ECO-DEF, today one of India's fastest growing clean-tech companies, supplies Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to curb harmful vehicle emissions. Under his direction, ECO-DEF runs an advanced facility that meets the highest of international standards.

"Frankly speaking, it’s more than just business for us, as Shivam's work is contributing to a cleaner air, generating more and more low-investment DEF distribution models for entrepreneurs and providing employment to the local.” His vision to scale clean mobility solutions reflects not only engineering precision but also a deep-rooted commitment to societal and environmental betterment.

Shivam, your journey began with a personal loss. How did that shape your outlook on life and leadership?

Losing my father at 17 was a life-altering moment. It brought a sudden wave of responsibility, but it also gave me perspective. I realized early on that life is uncertain, and the best way to honor it is by creating value for family, for society, and for the future. That sense of purpose shaped how I lead ECO-DEF today. Every challenge I faced growing up emotionally and financially taught me resilience and gratitude. These are the values I carry into my company culture. I don't just see myself as a business leader; I see myself as someone who can create impact through jobs, through cleaner air, and through empowering others to grow.

Tell us more about ECO-DEF. What makes it different in the clean-tech space?ECO-DEF was founded to solve a critical problem vehicular emissions. We manufacture Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), a urea-based fluid essential for reducing NOx emissions from BS-IV, BS-VI, and Euro-compliant diesel engines using SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology. What sets us apart is our end-to-end approach: we have a fully automated, ISO 9001:2015-certified facility with advanced lab testing units that ensure compliance with ISO 22241 standards. We serve both industrial and retail clients, and our DEF packaging solutions from 5L cans to IBC tanks  make it accessible to everyone from fleet operators to OEMs. Our MSME registration and export license have enabled us to tap into international markets as well.

ECO-DEF seems to go beyond just manufacturing. How are you contributing to broader social and economic goals?

Absolutely. ECO-DEF was never just about business, it's about building ecosystems. We’ve created employment opportunities within our operations and beyond. One of our most meaningful contributions has been enabling aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own DEF distribution businesses with very low capital. This has helped generate income at the grassroots level and drive clean fuel adoption in smaller towns and logistics hubs. It’s a win-win situation for people to get a livelihood, and we collectively reduce emissions. Our focus is always on scalable, sustainable impact.

What were some early challenges you faced while setting up ECO-DEF, and how did you overcome them?The biggest challenges were awareness and trust. DEF was relatively new in India when we started. Educating fleet operators and fuel stations about its importance was tough. Then came the challenge of maintaining quality in a market flooded with unregulated products. We overcame that by investing heavily in our infrastructure automated blending systems, strict quality checks, and global compliance certifications. Slowly, trust followed. Today, we’re proud to be seen as a quality-first, mission-driven brand. Personally, coming from a background without a business legacy made the startup journey harder, but I used that to fuel my determination.

What’s next for ECO-DEF and for you personally as an entrepreneur?

For ECO-DEF, the next step is expansion we’re looking to set up additional plants in key logistics zones and explore complementary products like AdBlue dispensing units and vehicle diagnostics. On a personal level, I want to mentor more young entrepreneurs, especially from small towns. I know what it’s like to build something from scratch with limited resources. If I can help others do the same, that’s a legacy worth building. ECO-DEF is not just my company, it's a platform for change, and we’re just getting started