Meet Asheka – a Bangladeshi engineer, mother, and entrepreneur building a cleaner future from her base in Stuttgart. As co-founder of iMTED, she’s using AI to tackle one of the world’s most pressing challenges: reducing water and energy waste in large buildings. We sat down with Asheka to talk about her journey from Bangladesh to Germany, what it takes to build a startup as a mom, and how she’s turning sustainability into smart, actionable tech.

Sigrid
Hello and welcome to our interview! Tuning in from Stuttgart today, we have Asheka with us. Thank you so much for being here.

Asheka
Thank you so much for inviting me. This is my very first podcast, so it’s a new and exciting experience for me.

Sigrid
We’re thrilled to have you! First things first—where are you from?

Asheka
I’m originally from Bangladesh. I moved to Germany six years ago, and I now live in Stuttgart.

Sigrid
How’s life in Stuttgart?

Asheka
From what I see, it’s quite similar to other parts of Germany. But Stuttgart has its own special accent and spirit—people here call it „Schwäbisch.“ And today, we have sunny weather, so it’s beautiful!

Sigrid
That sounds lovely! We’re freezing in Berlin, so I’m a bit jealous. But while we’re all here—our producer Marlene is in Bavaria, where it’s sunny and windy too. I guess you’re both on the sunny side of Germany.

Asheka
Yes! But with German weather, who knows what’ll happen in the next hour?

Sigrid
Exactly. One of my friends once said living in Germany is like being in a relationship with a toxic boyfriend. You never know what mood he’ll be in.

Asheka
(Laughs) Very true!

Engineering Sustainability: The Mission Behind iMTED

Sigrid
Let’s talk about your amazing work. Tell us a bit about your company.

Asheka
I’m the co-founder of iMTED, a software company. We analyze the consumption data of non-residential buildings—things like heating, cooling, electricity, and water usage. We detect anomalies like pipe leakages, sensor defects, or system malfunctions and notify users so they can take immediate action. That helps reduce energy costs and waste.

My co-founder, Shahin Tuba, has a strong background in mathematics and research. I studied chemical engineering, followed by water resource engineering, and worked in renewable energy for two years. We’ve been building iMTED for about a year now.

Sigrid
That sounds like something every German building needs! Is this a web app?

Asheka
Yes, iMTED is a web application. It connects with smart meters to track consumption in real time and deliver actionable insights.

Sigrid
Can someone like me, living in a rented apartment, use it?

Asheka
Not at the moment. It’s specifically for non-residential buildings—like offices, universities, municipalities, and medium-sized companies. Private residences usually have only one water or energy meter, which isn’t cost-effective for our current system. But for businesses with larger infrastructures, our platform is ideal.

Sigrid
How long have you been developing it?

Asheka
It’s an ongoing process. We’re constantly improving based on feedback from events and users. We’ve reached our Minimum Viable Product (MVP), which we plan to launch at the end of June. That’s very exciting!

AI, Responsibility, and Reducing Waste

Sigrid
You’re working with AI—something that sparks both hope and fear. As someone with experience in this field, what’s your view?

Asheka
The fear is real—just like nuclear power. AI is a powerful tool. But it’s all about how we use it. There are positive use cases in healthcare, energy, education—and of course, there are negative ones too. We need to educate ourselves, prepare for the risks, and focus on creating solutions that help people and the planet.

Sigrid
And you’re leading by example—using AI to reduce waste and cost.

Asheka
Yes. I personally dislike waste—whether it’s food, energy, or water. If we produce energy but can’t optimize it, we’re not only losing money, we’re harming the environment. That’s why we aim for zero waste in buildings—it’s our vision at Intellicent.

Sigrid
Could your system also be used in large factories, like in the textile industry?

Asheka
Absolutely. Our algorithm can be applied in textile and fast fashion factories to monitor and reduce water and energy consumption. It would help them become more sustainable and efficient.

Motherhood, Migration, and Mindset

Sigrid
You’re also a mom. That’s amazing. How do you manage running a company and raising a child?

Asheka
It hasn’t been easy! I started my studies at the University of Stuttgart when my child was just one year old. I was studying, interning, and later working as a research engineer—so I had to master time management very quickly.

Now as an entrepreneur, there’s always pressure. But I’ve learned not to take things too seriously. If I can’t finish a task, I let it go. I don’t chase perfection. My philosophy is: every small step is a win. We don’t have to win every race—we just have to keep going.

Sigrid
That’s such a powerful message. We don’t have to win all the time—just keep showing up. And what you’ve accomplished is incredible. You came to a new country, studied a demanding field, raised a child, and started a startup.

Asheka
Thank you. I just try to focus on doing what I can, and doing it with love. As a mother, I think more about the future, and I want my child to live in a world where resources aren’t wasted.

What’s Next for iMTED?

Sigrid
So what’s coming next?

Asheka
We’re getting ready for our MVP launch at the end of June. After that, we’re looking to partner with companies and institutions who want to reduce their energy and water consumption. We’re also open to feedback—we want to know what problems people are facing in the sector.

Sigrid
How can people reach you?

Asheka
I’m on LinkedIn—just search for my name, Asheka, and feel free to connect if you’re interested in what we’re doing or want to collaborate.

Sigrid
Thank you so much for being here and sharing your journey. You’re doing important, inspiring work—not only as a founder, but also as a mother, a migrant, and an environmental leader.

Asheka
Thank you so much. It was a pleasure talking to you.