Anuj Paudel & Misha Cajic: Decoding Decarbonisation at Avarni

"That's essentially what it was like trying to tackle carbon accounting with the tools that were available."

He and Misha Cajic, the co-founders of Avarni, are on a mission to equip businesses with the digital equivalent of cranes and excavators – powerful tools that can help them build a sustainable future.

Their journey, however, began with a different kind of construction. As teenagers, they were inseparable, bonding over a shared love of building things, fuelled by youthful enthusiasm and a shared sense of possibility. This early collaboration laid the groundwork for their future partnership.

"We've been building all sorts of things since we were teenagers," Anuj reminisces. "Websites, apps, you name it." This shared passion for creation, honed over years of friendship, would eventually lead them to tackle a challenge of global significance.

"We started with the problem in mind," Anuj explains, "and we looked at different problems that were actually meaningful to solve." This pursuit of purpose led them to the intricate world of Scope 3 emissions – those indirect emissions that often hide in the shadows of a company's value chain.

A Eureka Moment in a Sea of Spreadsheets

Their 'aha' moment came when they delved into the complexities of these emissions and observed the struggles companies faced in measuring and managing this elusive part of their carbon footprint.

"Our biggest competitor? It's not another tech firm, it's actually Excel," Anuj says, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Misha elaborates: "It's still one of the most used mediums for carbon accounting. That's always a really good signal of a space where there are a lot of problems yet to be solved."

This realisation sparked the idea for Avarni: an AI-powered platform that could automate the tedious and error-prone task of carbon accounting.

"We saw that the problem was ready for tech innovation,” Anuj explains. "We wanted to make it easier, faster and more accurate for businesses to understand their environmental impact."

Their journey wasn't a straight line, though. They initially explored a consumer-facing app linked to a bank card, allowing users to see the carbon footprint of their purchases.

"It was a cool idea," Misha admits, "but we quickly realised that the market just wasn't ready for it."

This early setback, however, proved to be a valuable learning experience.

"It taught us the importance of focusing on a real need in the market," Anuj reflects. "We needed to find a problem that was both urgent and solvable."

From Humble Origins to Global Reach

Avarni's platform has quickly gained traction, attracting a diverse range of clients, from multinational corporations to boutique consulting firms.

"We're proud to be working with companies like Schneider Electric, KPMG and BDO," Misha shares. "But we're equally excited about supporting smaller businesses that are just starting their sustainability journeys."

This focus on serving a diverse clientele reflects their belief that climate action requires a collective effort.

Avarni's reach now extends far beyond Australia, with a growing presence in the UK and burgeoning interest from other international markets.

"It's been amazing to see how our platform is being used to drive change across the globe," Anuj says.

"We're particularly proud of our work with the City of London," Misha adds. "They've been real champions of our platform and have shown how it can be used to engage suppliers and drive collective action."

This international success is a testament to the platform's adaptability and the growing global demand for robust carbon accounting solutions. And it is fuelled by a team that shares the founders' passion for sustainability.

"We've been fortunate to attract some incredibly talented people," says Misha. "They're not just brilliant engineers and data scientists; they're also genuinely committed to making a difference."

Joining Greenhouse: A Community of Changemakers

"We were drawn to Greenhouse because we were looking for a community," Anuj shares, reflecting on their decision to join the vibrant hub of climate tech innovators.

"It's not just about having a place to work; it's about being surrounded by people who share your passion and understand the challenges you face."

Misha nods in agreement. "There's a real sense of camaraderie here," he adds. "It's like we're all in this together, working towards a common goal."

This shared sense of purpose creates a supportive environment where ideas are exchanged freely and collaborations blossom organically, the pair agree.

"The open-plan layout definitely encourages interaction," Anuj observes. "You're constantly bumping into people from different companies, sparking conversations that can lead to unexpected partnerships."

In fact, one of the firms they wanted to partner with found them in the Hub after just moving in.

“I built a list of companies I wanted to reach out to and the very day that I was going to reach out to one, they actually came up to me in the office telling me they wanted to speak to me and saw Avarni was here [at Greenhouse],” Misha recounted.

Greenhouse has also played a role in raising Avarni's profile.

"The hub's reputation as a centre for climate innovation lends credibility to its members," Anuj explains.

The Future of Sustainability: Transparency, Accountability and Action

Looking ahead, Anuj and Misha envision a future where sustainability is not just a buzzword but a core value embedded in every business decision.

"We want to see a world where companies are held accountable for their environmental impact," Anuj states. "And we believe that transparency is key to achieving that."

Avarni's platform is designed to provide that transparency, empowering businesses to track their emissions, identify areas for improvement and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

"We're not just building a software platform," Misha says. "We're building a movement, a community of businesses that are committed to creating a liveable future."

In this sense, Avarni is intended as a catalyst for change, a way to spark a broader conversation about sustainability and empower businesses to take action.

"Whether it's through our platform or through the conversations we spark, we want to be at the forefront of this movement," Anuj says.

Ready to ditch the spreadsheets and step into the future of carbon accounting?

Explore Avarni's AI-powered platform and discover how it can empower your business to measure, manage and reduce your environmental impact.

Visit Avarni's website today, and join the movement.