Anurag Bajpayee is an Indian-American engineer and entrepreneur renowned for his contributions to sustainable water treatment solutions. As the co-founder and CEO of Gradiant, a Boston-based water technology company, he has been instrumental in developing advanced systems for water and wastewater treatment, particularly benefiting industries with significant environmental footprints.
Key Information
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Anurag Bajpayee |
Date of Birth | Information not publicly available |
Nationality | Indian-American |
Hometown | Lucknow, India |
Education | B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (University of Missouri-Columbia), M.Sc. & Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (MIT) |
Profession | Engineer, Entrepreneur, CEO of Gradiant |
Company | Gradiant Technologies, Co-Founder & CEO |
Known For | Innovations in water treatment, Co-founder of Gradiant, MIT “Innovators Under 35” |
Years Active | 2013–present |
Field of Expertise | Water Treatment Technology, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability |
Hobbies & Interests | Environmental sustainability, innovative technologies, water conservation |
Languages Spoken | English, Hindi |
Notable Recognition | MIT Technology Review “Innovators Under 35”, Scientific American‘s “Top 10 World-Changing Ideas” |
Current Role | CEO of Gradiant, overseeing its global operations and technological advancements |
Marital Status | Information not publicly available |
Social Media | LinkedIn: Anurag Bajpayee |
Early Life and Education
Anurag’s academic journey began in Lucknow, India, where he attended La Martiniere College. He pursued a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia, graduating in 2006. Driven by a passion for environmental engineering, he furthered his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning both a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. His doctoral research focused on industrial desalination and water purification technologies. Notably, his work on membrane-free desalination was recognized by Scientific American as one of the “Top 10 World-Changing Ideas”.
Career and Founding of Gradiant
In 2013, Anurag co-founded Gradiant alongside his MIT colleague, Prakash Govindan. The company emerged as a spinoff from their research on desalination techniques. Gradiant specializes in providing sustainable water treatment solutions, catering to industries such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. Under Anurag’s leadership, the company has expanded globally, operating over 20 treatment plants and employing more than 200 professionals.
Achievements and Recognition
Anurag’s innovative approaches to water treatment have earned him significant accolades. In 2019, he was honored as one of MIT Technology Review’s “Innovators Under 35” for his work in making desalination more efficient and treating contaminated wastewater. He holds multiple patents in the field and has co-authored several influential journal articles on water purification technologies.
Recent Developments
In early 2025, Anurag Bajpayee was among several individuals named in a prostitution sting operation in the Boston area. Authorities allege that he and others paid for services at high-end brothels, which are under investigation for potential links to sex trafficking. Anurag faces misdemeanor charges in connection with the case. In response, Gradiant issued a statement expressing confidence in the judicial process and reaffirming its commitment to technological innovation and sustainability.
Interesting Personal Facts
- Anurag Bajpayee is deeply passionate about solving global water challenges, and he’s dedicated much of his career to ensuring that industries worldwide use water resources sustainably.
- Anurag and his team at Gradiant are focused on the idea of zero-liquid discharge technology, ensuring that wastewater is entirely reused, leaving no environmental footprint.
- He was instrumental in launching some of Gradiant’s most ambitious projects, including a groundbreaking water treatment plant in one of the world’s most water-scarce regions.
- Despite the controversy surrounding the 2025 scandal, Anurag remains a prominent figure in the water technology sector, with Gradiant continuing to thrive and expand globally.
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