Janarthanan, MSc Cleantech Innovation

Janarthanan arrived at Imperial College London with a clear purpose: to turn climate ambition into real‑world impact. After founding two sustainability ventures and contributing to major public‑sector projects, he came to Imperial to deepen his ability to bridge technology, policy and entrepreneurship. Having been awarded a Chevening Scholarship, Janarthanan has found a community at Imperial that challenges him to build solutions to shape a more sustainable future.

Janarathanan standing next to an Imperial sign

My journey to Imperial

I studied Mechanical Engineering at undergraduate level, where I built a strong foundation in energy systems, design and applied physics. Alongside my degree, I was actively involved in projects and student-led research, which helped to shape my interest in solving real-world problems through engineering.

Before starting my Master’s at Imperial, I was working across climate entrepreneurship and public-sector innovation. I co-founded Kinowave, an ocean energy venture which won the James Dyson Award for its approach to coastal sustainability. I also founded Greenable, an initiative focused on translating climate science into simple, everyday sustainable habits for people.

At the same time, I served as a Young Innovator with the State Planning Commission of Tamil Nadu, supporting large-scale government projects in energy, environment and climate resilience. Together, these experiences showed me that lasting climate impact depends on connecting technology, behaviour and policy.

My advice to applicants is not to be discouraged by funding challenges. Use university support, apply widely and keep going.

My journey to Imperial was strongly supported by the university’s guidance and encouragement. From the beginning, Imperial recognised my vision and actively supported me by sharing multiple scholarship options that I was eligible for. The Admissions team, the Postgraduate team at the Dyson School of Engineering and my Course Director took time to guide me through all the funding opportunities and next steps.

Although I initially applied to several scholarships without success, Imperial allowed me to defer my offer, which gave me the time to strengthen my profile. With that support, I applied for the Chevening Scholarship and was successfully selected out of over 102,000 global applicants for the 2025–26 cohort. Imperial has also generously contributed to part of my course fee through Chevening.

My key advice to applicants is not to be discouraged by funding challenges. Use university support, apply widely and keep going – access to education should never be limited by finances alone.

Applying to Imperial

The International Student Support team were extremely helpful, guiding me through my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), visa application and preparations before arrival.

My decision to apply to Imperial College London came from a very real point of reflection. While building Kinowave, I experienced first-hand how even the strongest climate innovations struggle to scale without the right business models, policy alignment and implementation pathways.

I was actively looking for structured guidance to bridge this gap between innovation and real-world deployment. That clarity came when I met Dr Elena Dieckmann, the Course Director of the MSc Cleantech Innovation, during a visit she made to my undergraduate institution in India. Learning how the MSc Cleantech Innovation course integrates with the Grantham Institute, the Dyson School of Design Engineering and Undaunted made it clear that this course addressed exactly what I was missing, and it became the only Master’s course I applied to.

Studying at Imperial has changed how I think – from building isolated solutions to designing innovations that can genuinely work and create impact in the real-world.

The application process was rigorous but encouraging, and despite financial challenges, the support and flexibility shown by the Admissions team reinforced my belief that Imperial genuinely invests in people with purpose. The International Student Support team were extremely helpful, guiding me through my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), visa application and preparations before arrival. Even after reaching the UK, they supported me with practical steps such as settling in and registering with the NHS. That support made me feel much more reassured during the transition and allowed me to focus fully on my studies from the start.

What makes the MSc Cleantech Innovation course special is how clearly it’s structured around the cleantech journey. The Grantham Institute is helping me rethink climate problems through policy, science and systems. The Dyson School of Design Engineering is supporting me to turn ideas into robust products, while Undaunted and Imperial Enterprise Lab are helping me to focus on scaling my ideas through entrepreneurship.

The one-to-one mentoring with experienced cleantech founders and getting the opportunities to work closely with incubated startups have been transformative. Studying at Imperial has changed how I think – from building isolated solutions to designing innovations that can genuinely work and create impact in the real-world.

Find out more about MSc Cleantech Innovation

Janarthanan at the Dubai Future Solutions: Prototypes for Humanity event

Janarthanan in London with the Tower Bridge behind him

Settling into the Imperial community

Being part of Imperial has been a genuinely global and collaborative experience.

Moving to the UK was both a bold and exciting step for me. I chose London because it sits at the centre of global innovation in clean energy where people are not only developing new technologies, but are also actively implementing them at scale.

Being part of Imperial has been a genuinely global and collaborative experience. From the first few weeks, I met people through my course, shared projects and student-led initiatives, which made it easy to find a community of like-minded peers working on climate and sustainability challenges.

I became actively involved as a Sustainable Imperial Ambassador, which allowed me to contribute to sustainability initiatives across the university, and I was also selected for the Climate Pre-Accelerator programme through the Climate Entrepreneurs Club. These spaces connected me with students, mentors and founders from diverse backgrounds, all working on different parts of the global climate problem.

The Imperial community has supported me academically, professionally and personally through open access to mentors, collaborative peers and a culture that encourages initiative. I knew Imperial was the right place for me when I realised that ideas here are not just discussed but actively supported and pushed forwards together.

Life in London

Before arriving, I spoke with current Imperial students through the University’s online platforms and LinkedIn, which helped me understand both the course intensity and the kind of living environment that would suit me best.

Based on those conversations, I decided to look for private housing and found my accommodation through SpareRoom, a great property search platform for student renters. Imperial's private accommodation guidance really helped me approach my accommodation search with more clarity and confidence.

One of my favourite things about living and studying in London is the culture of openness and respect. People value all ideas regardless of your age, background or nationality. London has opened up countless opportunities to connect with like-minded people through networking events, conferences and innovation meet-ups. Also, having the Science Museum and Natural History Museum right on the doorstep of South Kensington Campus has served as a great source of inspiration and motivation – and they’re free to visit!

If I had to pick my most memorable moment since I started living in London, it’d be when I experienced snowfall for the first time in my life and ran around the Queen’s Tower Lawn like a child.

My main advice to future students who are moving to study at Imperial is to start your accommodation search early, and talk to current students to get their views and insider tips if possible. Understanding how your course is structured and how you’ll be spending your time can really help you choose accommodation that supports both your academic work and wellbeing while studying at Imperial.

Janarathanan speaking to a group of people

The Queen's Tower and South Kensington Campus covered in snow

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Student life outside of lectures

I’m part of the Sustainable Imperial Ambassadors programme, where I contribute to promoting sustainability initiatives across the university. I was also selected for the Climate Pre-Accelerator through the Climate Entrepreneurs Club, which allowed me to engage with early-stage climate founders and mentors beyond the classroom.

Imperial offers a wide range of student-led societies and initiatives, making it easy to find communities aligned with your interests. My advice to new students is to choose activities that genuinely excite you rather than trying to do everything. A few meaningful engagements can greatly enrich your academic experience and help you build strong, lasting networks.

What's next?

From the beginning, my intention in choosing the MSc Cleantech Innovation course was to build a cleantech startup out of the learning experience itself. One of the reasons Imperial felt like the right place was how closely the ecosystem supports that goal. Through the Imperial Enterprise Lab, Undaunted and the Advanced Hackspace, I have access to mentors, facilities and practical guidance that help me move step by step from idea to execution. Importantly, this support comes without any claim on intellectual property or equity, which gives founders the freedom to experiment and grow.

At the Indian High Commission in London

At the Indian High Commission in London

My final top tips for future Imperial students

Don't be intimidated by where you come from or what you think you lack – what truly matters here is clarity of purpose, curiosity and your willingness to learn.”

If I had to sum up my experience at Imperial in one sentence, I’d say: Imperial is a place where ambitious ideas are taken seriously and given the structure, support and freedom to become real.

To anyone thinking about applying to Imperial, my advice is not to be intimidated by where you come from or what you think you lack. What truly matters here is clarity of purpose, curiosity and your willingness to learn. Imperial values people who want to solve real problems, not just collect credentials.

For those considering the MSc Cleantech Innovation specifically, come with an open mind and a genuine problem you care about. This course will challenge how you think, push you beyond technology alone and show you how to bridge the gap between ideas and impact. Whether you’re coming from a remote part of India like me or from somewhere else in the world, don’t let fear stop you – this course is designed to help you grow into the innovator you aspire to be.