Back
  1. Mumbai Move: Rethinking Urban Mobility and Social Entrepreneurship

    March 7, 2026 by Ben B. and Liam F.

    Location: Mumbai, India | Term: Winter 2026

    Navonmesa Module Driving Question

    How might Mumbai’s community-driven systems inspire more sustainable urban living?

    The Challenge

    Mumbai’s congestion is more than a nuisance; it’s a crisis. Residents lose nearly half their personal time to traffic, and the resulting air pollution contributes to hundreds of deaths annually. With 19% of the population occupying 82% of the road space in private vehicles, the city’s productivity and safety are at a breaking point.

    The Solution: Mumbai Move

    Liam and Benjamin developed Mumbai Move, a service-exchange app designed to shift commuters from private cars to public transit.

    • How it Works: The app tracks bus and train journeys via Google Maps integration.
    • The Incentive: Users earn points based on mileage and time spent on public transport, redeemable for discounts at local businesses.
    • Impact: By gamifying sustainable travel, the project aims to reduce four-wheeled vehicle traffic by 10% and provide real-time carbon emission tracking for every user.

    Field Research & Inspiration

    The project was fueled by immersive experiences across Mumbai:

    • Dharavi: The team explored the “slum’s” $2 billion circular economy, learning how total resource efficiency and community interconnectedness can drive massive impact.
    • Dabbawalas: Studying the legendary lunch-delivery system provided a masterclass in logistics, loyalty, and near-perfect operational efficiency.

    Final Product: The ENpower Pitch

    The term culminated in a professional startup pitch (Navonmesa) delivered to industry mentors.

    • The Assessment: The duo presented a full business model, including a tiered subscription service (Standard and Pro+) and a B2B advertising strategy.
    • Refinement: Based on expert feedback, the final iteration focused on a “powerful” user hook and a clear bridge between transit data and consumer rewards, ensuring the business was both socially responsible and financially viable.

Sign up if you would like to receive occasional news from us.

Subscribe