HYDGEN, a deep-tech startup that specializes in green hydrogen production at an industrial scale, has secured USD 5 million from a combination of equity and debt funding. Transition VC led the investment together with Cloudberry Pioneer Investments (Europe), Moringa Ventures (Singapore), and several strategic family offices from India and Singapore.
HYDGEN plans to use the funds to further develop its proprietary Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology, which is designed to create ultra-pure hydrogen cost-effectively right at the point of use. This innovative new technology seeks to solve two of the largest impediments to the hydrogen value chain in India’s industrial hydrogen market: a lack of standardization and being locked in to supply chains.
“We believe the real opportunity in hydrogen lies not just in its clean energy potential, but in enabling industries to access hydrogen on-site, when and where they need it, with trusted purity,” said Dr. Manippady Krishna Kumar, co-founder and COO of HYDGEN. “Our AEM electrolyzers allow companies to produce hydrogen at competitive costs, solving logistical challenges while preparing for the broader transition to green hydrogen.”
Established by Dr. Manippady Krishna Kumar, Dr. Michael Gryseels, and Dr. Goutam Dalapati, HYDGEN has a variety of proprietary stack designs from 1 kW to 100 kW and is scaling to 250 kW. The modular systems enable industry to generate hydrogen at their own location, with reduced capital expenditure (capex) costs, while providing a dependable high-purity hydrogen stream.
HYDGEN’s AEM technology combines the cost-effectiveness of alkaline systems with the best of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers without the use of expensive platinum group metals. This innovation provides a small, easier way to produce hydrogen with lower operating costs while providing a more reliable hydrogen supply chain.
“HYDGEN is the first company we’ve seen that can scale AEM electrolyzers to industrial levels while maintaining cost leadership,” said Mohamed Shoeb Ali, Managing Partner at Transition VC. “This is no longer a research initiative but a commercially ready solution that meets the needs of industries already relying on hydrogen today.”
The financing will allow HYDGEN to upgrade its production capabilities, including upgrading its Mangaluru facility to a semi-automated manufacturing line and expanding its single-stack electrolyzer capacity to 250 kW. The company plans to expand into Japan, Europe, and the Middle East—areas experiencing increasing industrial hydrogen adoption and positive policy frameworks.
Khoong Hock Yun, Managing Partner at Moringa Ventures, added, “HYDGEN’s decentralized approach to hydrogen generation is a game-changer. Their technology makes on-site hydrogen production more efficient and practical, accelerating the adoption of green hydrogen for industrial decarbonization.”
HYDGEN offers systems from 1 kW all the way up to 100 kW, while a 250 kW stack is in the works for industrial-size applications. They have launched pilot deployments over the past year across India, Singapore, and Southeast Asia and are moving several partners to commercial scale.
“Our goal is to simplify hydrogen supply chains while making it accessible and affordable for industries,” said Dr. Krishna Kumar. “With the support of this funding, we are further strengthening our position as a key enabler of green hydrogen, providing industries with reliable, cost-effective decarbonization solutions.”
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