Namita Banka

Namita Banka is an Indian entrepreneur, and founder of Banka Bioloo. Banka BioLoo Ltd (formerly Banka BioLoo Pvt Ltd) is a proprietary firm started by Namita Banka in 2008. A graduate of Delhi University, she was originally a jeweler before switching to social entrepreneurship in 2008 following a move from Surat to Hyderabad. In this role, she developed bio-digester technology that made it easier to install toilets in remote, rural locations and on trains. Banka is a 2013 laureate of the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards.
Education
Namita is a science graduate from Delhi University, with a post graduate degree in metal designing, she also worked at jewellery designing and manufacturing for eight years in Surat, Gujarat. Namita began her career as a jewelry designer in Surat in 1999.
Social entrepreneurship
After her husband was transferred to Hyderabad in 2008, Namita began a complete career path change because the city had fewer prohibitions and more opportunities. She enrolled in a course on social entrepreneurship and tried her hand at selling ink cartridges and green office supplies, tendering to Indian Railways. The following year, through her contacts, she learnt about one of their big problems facing both rail roads and Indians living in rural areas: sanitation. Early customers contracted her company to build and maintain toilets in a variety of locations including schools, private residences, construction sites, and plantations. While the technology is officially gender neutral, one of the primary benefactors of her product has been women as it allows them to preserver their dignity in public spaces.
Banka started looking towards other technologies in 2015, including how to better use biogas. She has also said that guilt can be one of the biggest things holding back women entrenepenuers. Banka is a 2013 laureate of the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards.

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