What do a mango stem and smart homes have in common? For Bengaluru-based startup Mankomb Technologies, the connection is transformative. Drawing inspiration from the Dravidian term “Manga Kombu”—which means “mango stem” and symbolizes freshness and longevity—the company has built a smart sustainability solution that’s turning heads: Chewie, an AI-powered wet waste management appliance.
Founded in July 2024 by Mrudul Mudotholy, Dinesh Babu Sukumar, and Jawahar Arumugam, Mankomb merges deep-tech with eco-conscious design to reinvent home waste management. At its core, Chewie automates composting using on-device computer vision, AI-native automation, and real-time waste classification. It converts food waste into rich, regenerative soil in just 8 to 40 hours—quietly, cleanly, and without odors.
But Chewie isn’t just another appliance—it’s a shift in mindset. Designed for modern households that want sustainability without sacrificing comfort, the device is compact, self-cleaning, and app-integrated, making wet waste recycling as easy as tossing scraps into a bin.
Entirely founder-bootstrapped and pre-revenue, Mankomb is already validating pilot units and preparing for a Q3 FY 25-26 launch. With a mission to decentralize sustainability, the team envisions Chewie as a symbol of responsible living—where every household contributes to a greener planet.