At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Lipika Sharma for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Lipika is an Entrepreneur and Founder & CEO at Surya Charge. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Lipika:
Can you walk us through your career journey leading up to founding Surya Charge? What motivated your transition into entrepreneurship?
My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t something I had planned very early in life. Instead, it evolved gradually through curiosity, exposure, and a growing realization that India is at a pivotal moment in its energy transition.
As I began studying the clean energy and EV ecosystem more closely, I had the opportunity to work closely with my co-founder, Martin Mesmer, who has spent more than three decades building solar power plants and working in renewable energy markets across the world.
Through our conversations and collaborations, I was exposed to the technical depth of the solar industry and began to see the scale of opportunity that exists in India.
At some point, I realized that waiting for everything to be perfect often means never starting at all. I’m still very early in this journey, and there is a lot to learn and build. But to me, entrepreneurship is about having the willingness to work on problems that truly matter.
In many ways, this is both a business journey and a learning journey. Surya Charge is not just a company for me — it is my way of contributing to a more sustainable future.
What inspired you to pursue an MSc in International Business, and how has it shaped your leadership approach?
I have always been interested in the broader picture of how global industries function — how policies, decisions, and economic forces in one part of the world can influence opportunities elsewhere.
Studying international business helped me develop that broader perspective. It gave me a deeper understanding of how companies think about strategy, partnerships, and growth within a global context.
More importantly, it taught me that effective leadership is not only about technical expertise. It is equally about listening carefully, adapting to changing circumstances, and collaborating with people who bring diverse experiences and expertise to the table.
I try to remain open-minded, ask thoughtful questions, and continuously learn from the people around me. For me, the degree was not just an academic milestone — it helped me develop a truly global lens.
How do you navigate credibility and perceptions of experience as a 26-year-old entrepreneur in a highly technical industry?
I believe the most important thing is to acknowledge that experience takes time to build — and that is completely natural. Being 26 means I am still early in my journey, and I see that as an opportunity to learn rather than something to hide.
In highly technical industries such as renewable energy and infrastructure, credibility often comes from both knowledge and the people you surround yourself with. I have been fortunate to work closely with experienced professionals who have spent decades building projects in this sector, and learning from them has been incredibly valuable.
At the same time, I approach conversations with curiosity and preparation. When people see that you are genuinely interested in understanding the technical and strategic aspects of the industry, trust builds over time.
I also believe that being younger can offer a different perspective. It often allows you to question existing assumptions, explore new ideas, and approach challenges with fresh energy.
What gap in the market did you identify that led to the creation of Surya Charge?
Two key gaps in the market eventually led to the creation of Surya Charge.
The first gap is in EV infrastructure. While electric vehicle adoption in India is growing rapidly, the charging infrastructure needed to support long-distance travel — especially on highways and intercity corridors — is still developing. Most charging stations today are concentrated within cities, which makes intercity EV travel less convenient and sometimes unreliable.
The second gap lies in how renewable energy projects are developed and managed. Globally, it is standard practice for developers and investors to appoint an independent Owner’s Engineer to ensure the quality and long-term performance of solar power plants. In India, however, many projects are still developed with a strong focus on minimizing upfront costs.
Solar plants are designed to operate for 20–25 years. But when quality standards are compromised, developers may begin facing performance losses or costly modifications within 10–15 years.
The same principle applies to EV infrastructure. Charging networks must be reliable and durable if we want people to confidently adopt electric mobility.
Surya Charge was therefore built around two complementary ideas: developing clean mobility infrastructure powered by solar energy, and introducing stronger engineering standards and long-term reliability into renewable energy projects.
How do you define your vision and mission for Surya Charge? How has it evolved since inception?
The vision behind Surya Charge is to contribute to building clean, reliable infrastructure that supports the transition toward sustainable mobility.
At its core, the idea is simple: if electric mobility is going to become a major part of the automotive ecosystem, the infrastructure supporting it must be dependable, accessible, and powered by clean energy.
Initially, our focus was primarily on developing solar-powered EV charging stations along highway corridors. However, as we spent more time studying the sector and interacting with stakeholders, our understanding of the ecosystem evolved.
We realized that the challenge is not only about deploying infrastructure quickly but about building it in a way that is technically sound and sustainable in the long term.
This is where the importance of strong engineering practices and project governance became clear. As we studied the industry more closely, it became evident that several large power plants in India are already facing challenges related to quality standards and engineering oversight.
If renewable energy is to scale sustainably, it is essential to involve independent third-party experts who safeguard design integrity, engineering quality, and long-term reliability. This approach is common practice in many global markets.
Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to building systems that are not only deployed quickly but are engineered well enough to remain reliable and valuable for decades.
How would you describe your leadership style, and how has it evolved over time?
I would describe my leadership style as collaborative and continuously evolving. Since I am still early in my entrepreneurial journey, I see leadership as creating an environment where the right ideas and expertise can come together effectively.
One of the most important lessons I have learned is the value of listening. In industries like renewable energy and infrastructure, there are professionals who have spent decades solving complex technical challenges. Learning from their experience is incredibly valuable.
Over time, my approach has become more focused on asking the right questions, encouraging open discussion, and making thoughtful decisions rather than rushing into them.
At the same time, entrepreneurship teaches you to become more decisive and resilient. There are moments when you must trust your judgment, take responsibility for decisions, and keep moving forward despite uncertainty.
For me, leadership is less about authority and more about building trust and bringing people together around a shared purpose.
What principles do you prioritize when building and managing your team?
At the moment, we have a relatively small team in India, which has strongly shaped how I think about building and managing a team.
In the early stages of a company, every person you bring in significantly influences the direction and culture of the organization.
One of our key principles is surrounding the company with the right expertise. Renewable energy and infrastructure projects require deep technical knowledge, so it is important to collaborate with people who bring strong experience and practical insights.
Since this industry is evolving rapidly, remaining open to new ideas and continuously learning from each other helps us make better decisions as a team.
What motivates you every day as a business leader?
For me, motivation doesn’t come solely from business growth or milestones.
It comes from the idea that the systems we are helping build today could positively impact the environment and future generations. That sense of contributing to something larger than ourselves creates a deeper sense of fulfillment.
It gives me the energy to keep learning, keep building, and keep moving forward even when the journey becomes challenging.
How do you maintain work–life balance while leading a company?
I believe sustainability should apply not only to the work we do but also to how we live and work as individuals.
Work–life balance doesn’t always mean dividing time equally every day. Some days require intense focus and long hours, while other days allow space to rest and recharge.
What matters most is staying mindful of your energy and ensuring that you don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.
How do you maintain motivation and resilience through ups and downs?
Resilience often comes from the people around you as much as it comes from within.
I am fortunate to have a co-founder who is also a mentor. His experience has been incredibly valuable, particularly during moments when things feel uncertain or challenging. Having someone who has already navigated many of these situations provides important perspective.
At the same time, I try to remain optimistic and trust the process. Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight line. It involves learning from challenges, seeking guidance from mentors, and maintaining the belief that the effort you put in today will eventually lead to meaningful outcomes.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their first venture?
Many people spend a lot of time waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect plan, or the feeling that they are fully prepared. In reality, that moment rarely arrives.
Overthinking every possible outcome can easily lead to what many call “analysis paralysis.”
Some of the most valuable lessons only come from taking action, making mistakes, and adjusting along the way.
I also believe it’s important to leave room for luck, unexpected opportunities, and what I like to call a little bit of magic. Sometimes things align in ways you could never predict — but that only happens if you are already moving forward.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
