A new book titled LeanSpark: Frugal by Design, Global in Impact offers a modern reinterpretation of India’s famed jugaad ethos. Written by Jaideep Prabhu, Mukesh Sud and Priyank Narayan, the work seeks to transform jugaad from improvised hacks into an intentional innovation framework that mixes lean execution, purposeful simplicity and adaptive scalability. The authors draw on years of research, teaching and conversations with entrepreneurs to show how scarcity can be re-engineered into a strength rather than just a survival tactic.

Rather than romanticising quick fixes, the book argues jugaad should evolve into solutions that are replicable, scalable and environmentally conscious, helping firms innovate faster, reduce costs and enhance customer value without exhausting planetary resources. Through compelling narratives of startups, corporates and grassroots innovators, it highlights how organisations can do more with less — without compromising ethics, quality or ambition.

Far from being merely an Indian phenomenon, the authors believe this reimagined frugal innovation mindset has global relevance. They challenge the conventional idea that innovation must be driven by massive budgets and advanced labs. Instead, LeanSpark proposes that a disciplined, resource-savvy approach can empower businesses worldwide to create meaningful impact — turning constraints into engines of creativity and long-term growth.