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Indian-origin engineer launches climate tech startup at UNM
The agtech startup, called SoilIQ, helps improve soil health and eco-system function.
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Pranavi Sharma - Sun, 18, May 2025
- 02:03 EDT
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Manali Girish Narkhede. / University of New Mexico’s Anderson School
Manali Girish Narkhede, an Indian-born graduate of the University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Management, is the founder of SoilIQ, a climate-focused agtech startup that helps farmers track soil carbon in real time and access new income streams through carbon markets.
Set to graduate this May with a Master of Business Administration, Narkhede told UNM News: “This startup could foster regenerative agriculture and strengthen climate resilience in New Mexico. As the state emerges as a climate tech hub, I believe SoilIQ can meaningfully contribute to its sustainability goals.”
Her journey to building SoilIQ was shaped by a background in engineering and international business. “When I was thinking about going into engineering, civil engineering felt like the perfect blend of everything that satiated my curiosity – from building design and engineering drawings to structural analysis, geotechnical and environmental engineering, hydraulics, irrigation engineering and construction management,” she said.
Before coming to UNM, Narkhede spent seven years in the energy sector, starting as a civil and structural engineer at Technip Energies. Her talent for simplifying complex business models, combined with strong skills in data analysis and visualization, led to leadership roles and recognition from the company’s executives.
“It wasn’t easy. Navigating male-dominated environments, taking ownership of high-stakes global projects, and building credibility as a young woman took grit, resilience, and deep integrity,” she said.
Her work extended beyond engineering into project management, cost estimation, and collaboration with finance, legal, procurement, and strategy teams. Over time, she realized she needed a stronger grounding in business management to confidently lead cross-functional teams.
“Back then, I often thought — if only I had a stronger foundation in business and management, I’d feel more confident in my role,” she told UNM News.
This desire led her to UNM’s MBA program, where she found both academic support and community. She credits her professors and advisors for helping her identify and pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions.
A turning point came when her Business Development and Sales professor, Dimitri Kapelianis, recognized her clarity of purpose and nominated her for the New Mexico Entrepreneur-in-Development Program — a proof-of-concept venture studio focused on local entrepreneurial talent. SoilIQ emerged from this initiative.
In addition to building her business, Narkhede overcame a lifelong fear of water during her time at UNM by learning how to swim, thanks to the university’s recreational services.
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