Building Audit-Ready Cleantech Manufacturing in India

When Brisil joined Scale-Up, MIF’s no-equity accelerator, in January 2024, it was already building something rare in the Indian startup ecosystem: an IP-led cleantech manufacturing company grounded in deep science and circular thinking. At the heart of its innovation was a clean process to convert rice husk ash—an agricultural byproduct typically dumped or burned—into high-quality precipitated silica and activated carbon. Its materials had applications in everything from tyres to toothpaste. 

But to win in this space, ingenuity is not enough. Breaking into high-value industrial supply chains demands more than just a breakthrough product.

That became clear when Brisil was on the verge of landing one of its biggest deals yet with a leading industrial player. 

The ask was a significant supply of silica on a monthly basis, translating to a massive ramp-up in operations. But the bar to entry was even higher. To become an approved vendor, Brisil needed to clear an intensive audit—one that tested every layer of its business, from production efficiency to documentation rigour and compliance systems.

For founder Tanmay Pandya and his team, this was the chance to crack a game-changing deal, yes. But more than that, it was a chance to prove Brisil’s readiness to scale. That’s where Scale-Up’s deep-rooted and bespoke mentorship stepped in.

Scaling Cleantech Manufacturing in India

Through MIF, Brisil was paired with mentors Shailesh Ghodekar, Global Corporate Quality Assurance Head at Marico, and Nirlay Sheth, Executive Vice President – Procurement and Supply Chain Transformation at Marico. Over weeks of hands-on engagement and site visits, this mentor team helped Brisil strengthen the muscle that matters most in manufacturing: process discipline.

Together, they worked on:

1. Audit preparedness: Brisil had to demonstrate control over every parameter. The mentors helped the team develop and refine documentation including Control Plans, Process Quality Control Plans (QCP), and Process Capability Index (CPK) measures.
2. Internal systems overhaul: The intervention included setting up standard operating procedures (SOPs) for defect identification, customer complaint resolution, and handling of non-conforming products—essentials for any high-quality production environment.
3. Manufacturing documentation: Critical documents like the Process Flow Diagram (PFD) and PFMEA (Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) were reviewed line by line, with the mentors suggesting additions and corrections to meet audit-grade scrutiny.
4. Quality mindsets: Importantly, this wasn’t about compliance theatre. The mentors pushed the team to adopt a mindset of continuous improvement—treating audit prep not as a checklist, but a culture shift.

The Outcome

With this support, Brisil cleared the audit successfully. 50% of its existing production capacity has now been earmarked for fulfilling this single partnership—setting the stage for larger revenue and expansion of its cleantech manufacturing capabilities.

But this contract is just one chapter. Brisil now operates on a stronger foundation: capable of handling scale, complexity, and future audits from equally demanding clients. MIF’s Scale-Up intervention helped convert a business-critical opportunity into a launchpad for Brisil’s long-term growth.