Sachin Tendulkar invests in Hyderabad-based Recykal to boost circular economy | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has made an investment in Hyderabad-based circular economy company Recykal. The cricketer has picked up an undisclosed minority stake, backing the waste management technology company’s effort to promote responsible waste behaviour and strengthen India’s circular economy.Tendulkar’s investment is part of Recykal’s recently closed $23 million bridge round, which included primary and secondary capital from existing investors and select new family offices. This included $9 million raised from new investors such as biopharma player Biological E Ltd and the family offices of its managing director Mahima Datla as well as Dr Nageshwar Reddy and PVS Raju of AIG Hospitals.The remaining $14 million was invested by existing investors such as 360 ONE, Trinity Combinator, Strat Ventures and the family offices of Pidilite Industries’ vice-chairperson Ajay Parekh.The company said the funds are being used to enhance its technology platform and open marketplace, scale its Deposit Return System and support international expansion.Recykal said Tendulkar’s association is aimed at encouraging citizens to view waste as a recoverable resource rather than something to discard. The company wants returning waste, recycling responsibly and participation in circular systems to become routine for Indians.Tendulkar said Recykal’s use of technology to solve an everyday problem drew him to the company. He said lasting success depends on discipline and consistent effort, adding that the same approach is needed to build a cleaner India.Abhay Deshpande, chief executive and co-founder of Recykal, said the circular economy is fundamentally a technology challenge. He said deposit return systems combine technology, logistics and behavioural change to improve recovery of packaging waste, and described Tendulkar’s involvement as meaningful because of his ability to unite people around a common purpose.Founded in 2015, Recykal operates digital platforms, circular commerce systems and AI-enabled hardware, including reverse vending machines made in India. The company says it has channelised more than 3 million tonnes of waste while working with 650 brands and 5,000 partners.