Tech entrepreneur Nalini Veeraghanta founded her startup naturethings to address the commercial challenges of integrating nature into urban spaces and fostering environmental as well as social well-being.
She faced a stressful phase in 2016 while balancing a long-distance marriage with a demanding job. Her doctor’s advice to spend 120 minutes a week in nature sparked a significant shift in her mindset.
Reconnecting with nature led her to wonder why natural elements are not as integral to urban planning as amenities such as air-conditioning. For Nalini, this was a watershed moment. Leaving her position as portfolio head for Moët Hennessy Diageo Malaysia in September 2019, she joined Antler’s Entrepreneur in Residence program in June 2020.
As a result of partnering with like-minded individuals, she created naturethings to address this pressing need. She and her co-founders embarked on a mission to enhance daily access to nature in commercial, workplace, and residential settings through technology.
Their initial solution was to create a marketplace that offered goods and services to both B2C and B2B clients online. Using digital twin technology—AI and IoT— they aimed to overcome design, maintenance, and affordability barriers to bring nature closer to urban areas.
“Maintenance was a major concern. We found that this was due to a systemic lack of expertise and cohesive solutions. For example, an architect may not be aware of landscaping needs, and vice versa. There was a messy, fragmented market with varying service standards caused by labour inconsistencies.”
Nalini Veeraghanta on the challenges faced
In addition to considering factors, such as sunlight exposure and space usage, the proprietary software also offers tailored solutions for specific locations. Sensors placed in pots monitor plant health and maintenance routines. Clients can access a dashboard to view air quality, temperature, plant health, and additional information, such as cost and water savings.
Space Matrix, Gardens by the Bay, and other pilot programs and large-scale commercial projects with CBRE have enriched its data, enabling naturethings to continually refine its offerings.
Nalini emphasises the importance of making the process seamless, easy, and accessible. Rather than being a luxury, she argues that we should have access to nature and expansive gardens as a fundamental right. She envisions nature integrating into living, working, and recreation spaces as the norm, allowing everyone to benefit from its restorative power.
“We believe cities will become self-contained neighbourhoods in the future, where nature will dominate. As many startups before us have done, we will pave the way for normalising this basic need in our lives.”
