WHAT IS CHOTUKOOL?
It is a lesser known fact that less than 20% of Indian population has access to a cooling
device, as compared to 78% in China and 92% in US. This is mainly due to low incomes
and electricity shedding in rural areas. Moreover, cost of entry level refrigerators in India
is over Rs 6000, which is unaffordable for many of these bottom of the pyramid (BOP)
consumers.
These unmet needs led to the inception of Chotukool. It is a small cooling device that
works like a refrigerator and was developed by Godrej and Boyce Ltd. It has a capacity of
30 litres and works on an electronic chip without any compressor or refrigerant. It is
compact in size and light weight and requires low maintenance. One of the most unique
features is that it can keep stuff cool for 2-3 hrs during power cuts. It works on only 55 W
power and is priced at Rs 3790 in the market.
Its applications vary from household usage to being an income generating asset to a
compact cooling solution for travelling.
INCEPTION
Chotukool was a created with a vision to achieve something beyond profits, by developing
solutions to meet the unmet demands of the BOP consumers. It is an exemplary effort by
Godrej and Boyce towards inclusive business in the modern times.
The idea was born out of the concept of Disruptive Innovation, which addresses the basic
needs of the untapped markets of non-users through easy, simple and affordable solutions.
It was believed that the daily life of BOP people can significantly improve, if they can
