Global IndianstoryMeet Vani Kola, founder of Kalaari Capital and the wind beneath a unicorn’s wings

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Meet Vani Kola, founder of Kalaari Capital and the wind beneath a unicorn’s wings

Written by: Global Indian

(September 22, 2021) She has always believed in breaking the glass ceiling: from being one among six women in a batch of 400 engineering students to becoming a serial entrepreneur and eventually founding Kalaari Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Bengaluru. Vani Kola has always believed in doing things differently. Today, many of her investments have become successful — Cure.fit, Myntra, Snapdeal, Dream11, Urban Ladder and YourStory. As a technology focused investor, Kola has a penchant for picking the best young minds and mentoring them to build successful enterprises.

The 57-year-old has invested in over 90 firms and has behind her 22 successful years as an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. Ranked as one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Business, Kola focuses on working with entrepreneurs to build high-value enterprises. What sets her apart is the fact that she continues to remain accessible to her founders and her investment philosophy includes recognizing and mentoring ambitious first-time entrepreneurs.

Practicing meditation regularly has enabled the journey of self-discovery for myself. It helps me destress and find inner tranquility. On this International Day Of Peace, let's spread positivity and serenity by dedicating a few minutes to simple meditation practices. pic.twitter.com/2kDAFI7UeW

— Vani Kola (@VaniKola) September 21, 2021

From India to the world

Born in 1964 in Hyderabad, Kola believed in doing things differently. A student of electrical engineering at Osmania University, she was one of six girls in a batch of 400. She then moved to the US to pursue her Master’s from Arizona State University in 1985; this was at a time when few women were pursuing the stream. She subsequently moved to California where she founded her first startup RightWorks in 1996. The company helped firms manage global procurement and she eventually sold RightWorks for $567 million and went on to found Certus Software in 2001.

However, her journey wasn’t an easy one. Riddled with gender bias, this Global Indian was often subjected to pointed questions from male colleagues. According to an article in the Vogue, a male acquaintance once asked her if she didn’t feel guilty for leaving her less than a year old daughter at home as they embarked on a business trip. “It occurred to me ‘oh wait, didn’t his wife just have a child and wasn’t that child only 6 weeks old’? Yet he was here at the airport also leaving to go somewhere. It just doesn’t occur to men! You just have to develop tools to cope,” Vani told the magazine.

The turning point

Vani Kola

It was Kola’s grit and determination that helped her sail through her entrepreneurial years and forced Fortune 500 CEOs to sit up and take notice of her work. When she sold Certus in 2005, Kola found that she had plenty of free time and it was now time for the then 40-year-old to evaluate life. The entrepreneur who’d never once been on a solo trip, decided to go to Hawaii where she took a step back to think about what it was that she wanted in life. This trip proved to be a turning point for the entrepreneur, who decided that it was time for her to move back to India where she could see the changes brought about by economic liberalization. “I know this sounds dramatic but I was reminded of Jawaharlal Nehru’s midnight speech. I felt an economic awakening in the country. There was unbridled aspiration!” she said.

Back to home base

By 2006, Vani was ready to move back to India, having seen how much the country had changed. She set up IndoUS Venture Partners with serial entrepreneur Vinod Dham and former head of Intel India Kumar Shiralgi. By 2011, the company was rebranded as Kalaari Capital and began focusing on early-stage investments.

Kola had always had a knack for gauging where the opportunity lay in the startup space and encouraged entrepreneurs to see where the tail winds were before drilling into a sector. At one of her talks with Deep Kalra of MakeMyTrip in a virtual event, she said that at Kalaari they had anticipated 4G to come earlier and had thus supported businesses that were building for that tailwind. However, it is also important for entrepreneurs to do their research to be able to effectively tap into the trends.

The power of #personalization is often not leveraged enough.

When you make the time to reach out to your audience with an authentic message and genuine value, the dividends accrue. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/RcmP9tP6yv

— Vani Kola (@VaniKola) September 21, 2021

Today, Kalaari works to empower visionary entrepreneurs to build unique solutions that reshape the way Indians live, work, consume and transact. On their website Kola writes, “What inspires me the most is creating impact, and making a difference, through innovation and entrepreneurship. I am proud of the values that Kalaari stands for and our commitment to entrepreneurs. It is a privilege to be part of rethinking the future, alongside our entrepreneurs.”

Kalaari began operations as a $150 million fund and over the years has made investments across e-commerce, gaming, digital content, and healthcare sectors. Kola believes that India’s digital opportunity is still at a nascent stage and there is tremendous scope for the country’s venture capital industry to support aspiring entrepreneurs.

The pandemic and its effect on India

In an interview with Business Line, Kola said that the pandemic has accelerated the country’s digital signature and companies dependent on the digital economy have benefited significantly. “In the first few months of this year (2021) itself, we have seen about $6.5 billion of growth investments come into these firms. The digital acceleration favors the startup community because they are the ‘disruption economy’… The crisis is also sometimes an opportunity, as the startup ecosystem has been vibrant in the first quarter, with close to 300 companies getting funds. There is definitely sunshine on this industry.”

However, on the heels of every successful startup is also a failure, a part of the game. Kola equates startups to extreme sports and says that one should expect significant failures in the game. “Idea-to-execution, and founder-to-leader are journeys, and the fascination is because it is a great story – a David and Goliath story. It is about human triumph and human vulnerability. At least 50 per cent of the companies will not even get any funding, and of the remaining that get funding, maybe 25 per cent will reach a meaningful scale, of which only 10 per cent will hit home-runs.”

Giving women entrepreneurs an impetus

Kola who has several honors to her credit such as the Forbes Most Powerful Women in Indian Business, Midas Touch award for the best investor, LinkedIn Top Voices, and Fortune India’s ‘Most Powerful Women in Business, is also actively involved in organizations focused on women entrepreneurs and leaders. When asked why there are so few women venture capitalists, Kola said that it was not because there weren’t enough women in the C-suite or executive level, but because it’s a problem with the fundamentals. “You have to fix the fundamentals. It’s like asking why a child is bad at trigonometry or calculus before they have learned arithmetic,” she told Vogue. “We do not have enough women in STEM leadership. You need women in those positions in order to be tech venture capitalists. There is so much unconscious bias. We always celebrate people who overcome high odds and overcome systemic bias and then we think why doesn’t every woman do that? That isn’t fair. Capital is not easily accessible and community—like the old boys network—is not as easily accessible to women. Women are at a disadvantage.”

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Published on 22, Sep 2021

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Manav Subodh: Nurturing talent through 1M1B

(April 27, 2024) Manav Subodh, Founder of 1M1B (One Million for One Billion), a UN accredited youth and AI focused skilling organisation is making a compelling case for finding talent across the country. 1M1B, aims for nothing short of the moon. The vision is to become India’s beacon of purpose in social entrepreneurship - breaking into the top 10 social organisations globally within a decade. The team aspires to be synonymous with change-making excellence, the ‘Harvard for change-makers,’ where the passionate and the purposeful converge to ignite social change. Driven to make a change Manav Subodh grew up with a sense of pride and a strong desire to showcase India on the world stage. Completing his engineering and MBA meant that he had a flourishing corporate journey across the globe, culminating in a 17-year journey of transforming markets and minds through marketing, sales, product development, and communications. “My career then took an unexpected turn into corporate and public affairs, nudging me towards a world where business meets government and societal impact,” he says. [caption id="attachment_51046" align="aligncenter" width="597"] Manav Subodh[/caption] At Intel, he spearheaded initiatives bridging entrepreneurship with education, later amplifying this impact in the Americas, Middle East, and Africa, which

97"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Manav Subodh | Global Indian Manav Subodh[/caption]

At Intel, he spearheaded initiatives bridging entrepreneurship with education, later amplifying this impact in the Americas, Middle East, and Africa, which only worked to strengthen his resolve to create such change in India's hinterlands. With a decade at Intel, managing multi-million-dollar projects, he felt a stronger call to serve his country, leading him to UC Berkeley. “There, the freedom to innovate, fail, and pivot reshaped my vision. I found that the cut-throat and competitive Indian education system was not as forgiving to failures. The U.S. education system, with its emphasis on open innovation, trial-and-error, and networking, didn’t just teach me; it transformed me into a change-maker and a global citizen,” he explains.

Going Beyond

1M1B was born out of inspiration from Berkeley's ethos - to go beyond yourself and to work for the community. “This powerful idea ignited a question within me: Could I catalyse the creation of change-makers on a massive scale? Thus, 1M1B, or '1 Million for 1 Billion,' emerged with a mission to forge one million change-makers to transform a billion lives. This vision was not just about education; it was about revolutionising mindsets and empowering the youth with empathy, collaboration, and resilience, while instilling in them the courage to embrace failures as stepping stones,” he avers. Transitioning from the corporate sphere to entrepreneurship was however no walk in the park. “It meant giving up the security of a well-oiled corporate machine - where I got to visit over 30 countries, enjoyed predictable appraisals and salary hikes, and led a life of relative luxury. The shift was seismic – from boardroom meetings and business class flights to Ola’s and staying-at-friends. My commitment was tested in every aspect, from financial stability to personal comfort, but it was always worth it,” he opines.

[caption id="attachment_51048" align="aligncenter" width="524"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Manav Subodh | Global Indian Manav subodh[/caption]

Making a Difference

At 1M1B, the team’s work with youth rests on three pillars - change-making, AI for a better world, and green skills. Over nine years, they have empowered approximately 600,000 young minds across 29 Indian states, infusing them with the skills to be tomorrow's leaders. “Our partnerships with giants like IBM, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, and Meta underline our commitment to blending corporate excellence with social innovation. Our presence at the UN headquarters in New York, through eight global summits, underscores our unique position as the frontrunner in India for youth-led global discourse on change and innovation. The 1M1B Activate Summit is our annual showcase, highlighting transformative stories from India, demonstrating the power of AI and technology in fostering green skills and sustainable development,” says Subodh. But beyond the numbers and events, the core mission is to democratise opportunity for all youth. “We ensure that our programs are as accessible in the prestigious corridors of international schools as they are in the humble classrooms of tribal Chhattisgarh. Our collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the establishment of village centres exemplifies our dedication to creating an equitable platform for education and empowerment,” he adds.

Passion for Change

What fuels Subodh’s passion is the transformative impact on the lives of young individuals. Every day as he works, he talks and mentors his younger self. “Witnessing a young person flourish because of 1M1B's influence is honestly my only life's mission. But at the heart of my motivation is the constant desire to learn and grow. I cherish the inquisitive spirit of my younger student self and strive to maintain that curiosity throughout my entire life. In every interaction, I lead with confidence without attitude, a principle that shapes my approach to leadership and service,” he says.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=921fNgjxlNo

Entrepreneurship to Subodh, in its true essence, is a calling, not “a job as he believes it is a life's mission that demands unyielding commitment and passion. If you don't feel that innate pull, that relentless drive to pursue your entrepreneurial vision, then it may not be your path. I like to think of entrepreneurship like a love affair, marked by a rollercoaster of emotions, irrational decisions, and unexpected challenges. It's a journey where logic often takes a backseat to passion. Practically speaking, start your entrepreneurial journey as early as possible. While technology startups may seem more straightforward, social entrepreneurship carries its unique set of challenges and rewards,” he adds.

Navigating Hurdles

Over the last nine years, he has learnt that your network truly is your net worth. “It is the collective strength of friends and supporters worldwide that has prevented me from faltering. Good work done with integrity attracts support; it's a magnetic force that draws in people. Even in moments of scarcity, when partners and funds seemed elusive, my network, including those from my Intel days, provided unwavering support. The lesson is clear: cherish and nurture your relationships, from peers to juniors. They are not just contacts but lifelines that sustain your mission and vision, especially in times of need,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_51050" align="aligncenter" width="633"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Manav Subodh | Global Indian Manav Subodh[/caption]

A Full Life

In those few moments away from his entrepreneurial pursuits, he revels in exploring the world with his loved ones and has ventured into the world of podcasting. Looking ahead he wants to build the 1M1B Green Skills Academy, a full-fledged campus dedicated not just to academic degrees, but to practical, impactful learning aimed at combating the climate crisis. This academy will become a crucible for the green workforce of tomorrow, training not only in India but setting a global precedent in environmental education. “We envision a future where every sector, from law to technology, from policy making to architecture, integrates eco-friendly principles at its core. The urgency of climate action is undeniable, and through 1M1B, we are committed to accelerating the pace of change, equipping individuals with the skills to make a tangible difference in the world’s environmental future,” he concludes.

Follow Manav Subodh on LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube
To know more about 1M1B visit its website

Reading Time: 5 mins

Sakshin Niranjan: The Indian entrepreneur making New Zealanders’ everyday life easy

(July 7, 2022)Had he listened to his heart, Sakshin Niranjan would still be in the food delivery space. But it was his mind that told him it was "crowded" and nudged him to start something of his own. This led to the launch of NexDo in New Zealand during the pandemic. Dubbed as the "Uber for home services", it connects home services providers with customers via an app. That's not all, in less than two years, it already boasts of 10,000 customers and recently raised $2 million in funding. "We empower local businesses through our startup, and at the same time are solving an everyday problem faced by many New Zealanders," Forbes 30 Under 30 Sakshin tells Global Indian. Entrepreneurship in blood The Chennai-born and raised, who comes from a business background, dreamed of becoming a pilot. But like many childhood dreams, this didn't come to pass as he realised this wasn't the right path for him. That's when he enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration at SRM University. This led to a job at Amazon as an associate which helped him gain "experience in technology and how the market works." "Those two years at Amazon triggered an interest

or of Business Administration at SRM University. This led to a job at Amazon as an associate which helped him gain "experience in technology and how the market works."

Indian entrepreneur | Sakshin Niranjan | Global Indian

"Those two years at Amazon triggered an interest in business. In fact, my best friend at university and I decided to start our first company soon. But it didn't work out as he left for higher education, and I moved to Zomato in 2015." The high-growth environment and the workings of a startup turned out "pretty well" for Sakshin, who learnt a lot in the process. The stint helped him bag a position in Ola in 2016, but to climb up the ladder, he was told in various ways that MBA is a must. He chose Auckland University of Technology and flew almost 11000 km to start afresh in a new country.

"I did it out of peer pressure," laughs the 30-year-old who was surprised by the difference in the work culture. While he was studying full-time, he worked with Ola part time. "While India has a very hierarchical culture, where the down below is often suppressed, New Zealand has a flat culture. Everyone can speak to the CEO and present their ideas. Initially, it was a little challenging to adapt to this but it changed me as a person," adds Sakshin, one of the key members who helped launch Ola in New Zealand in 2018. Having worked in India for years, Sakshin was ready to bring the ride-sharing company in competition to Uber, but with his own set of challenges. "It was a different ball game in terms of market. I had to understand how the consumers work, understand the change in marketing and accordingly customise the product," says the entrepreneur who learnt a lot through trial and error. "Understanding what's local was the key, and helped me understand what I can bring to the table."

How pandemic became a boon

The pandemic nudged Sakshin Niranjan to return to his dream of being an entrepreneur. "Seeing uncertainty in the market and people losing their jobs, I started questioning what I truly wanted to do. Though I had a job and was even getting better offers at such a time, this gave me enough confidence that things were certain for me even in such uncertain times. With no family to support and locked in the country for two years, I knew this was the best time to give it a shot," says Sakshin who launched NexDo in 2020.

Indian entrepreneur | Sakshin Niranjan | Global Indian

"I always had a passion for solving a problem, and the idea of NexDo stemmed from a personal requirement. I realised that it took days to get an appointment, so I knew it was a space that I could explore for my startup. As many like me were feeling the heat, I took the plunge," says Sakshin but venturing into entrepreneurship came with its learnings. Like most startups, he started in a garage with just two-three people. "Each day I was waking up early to clean the place, search for funds, and learn how to run Facebook ads. I took a course on YouTube to learn design and make marketing campaigns. I knew I always wanted to do something of my own, but it did get overwhelming at times," says the entrepreneur whose team has now expanded to 15 members and also employs 150 contractors.

Making an impact

With NexDo, Sakshin is "empowering service professionals and turning them into entrepreneurs." "Most employees are exploited in terms of pay or work hours. What we are doing with NexDo is creating micro finances for free, where we give them training and guidance," says the man who made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. He calls it "shocking" but is happy with the validation that he's on the right path. "There was a time I was cold-emailing so many people but now, right people are reaching out to us."

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Bringing a new idea to a new country has its advantages, and this "edge" helped Sakshin find footing in New Zealand's startup ecosystem with NexDo. "Had I started the same thing in India, it would have been easier to find funding with the kind of contacts and experience I possessed. Would I have succeeded? Maybe. But in New Zealand, it was a bit harder initially. However, the media helped in spreading the word. Since we were doing something unique for this market, the novelty struck the right chord with the customers and investors," says the entrepreneur."I started by borrowing money from family and friends. Within six months, local investors started showing interest and in these last two years, we have seen 200-300 percent growth."

Sakshin Niranjan, who likes to unwind by spending time with friends and watching movies, has plans of expanding NexDo to Australia. The entrepreneur, who has now made a name for himself in New Zealand, says "there is no rule book to follow. You can be anywhere and make things happen if you have a vision."

Follow Sakshin Niranjan on LinkedIn and Instagram

Reading Time: 6 min

Aadith Moorthy and Boomitra: From TIME 100 to Earthshot Prize and Forbes 30 Under 30

(July 22, 2024) Founded by Indian origin Aadith Moorthy, Boomitra, which means ‘friend of the earth’ in Sanskrit, has been receiving well-deserved acclaim. The organisation was named in the TIME 100 Companies list of 2024 for being a disruptor in carbon sequestration and supporting smallholder farmers worldwide. Last year, it won the prestigious Earthshot Prize, considered the Oscars for the environment in the ‘Fix Our Climate’ category for successfully removing 10 million tons of carbon from the atmosphere. Aadith Moorthy has made it to the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 North America list for creating social impact. Aadith’s journey towards making a difference started eight years ago. During his visit to a remote village in South India, he witnessed a funeral procession of a farmer who had committed suicide, devastated by the hardships he faced due to failed monsoon rains. “This tragic event made me question why farmers, the backbone of society, were forced to struggle,” the Global Indian shared, talking about the reason behind starting Boomitra. This led him to think about how modern technology could offer a solution to such a problem in different geographies. Soon after, driven by the desire to make a change, he laid the

about the reason behind starting Boomitra. This led him to think about how modern technology could offer a solution to such a problem in different geographies.

Soon after, driven by the desire to make a change, he laid the foundation of his startup to address this issue. The Florida native had always been an exemplary student in geography and social sciences, winning the 22nd National Geographic Bee competition in the US when he was just 13. Over the years, he developed an interest in technology and AI, going on to study at the California Institute of Technology for his graduate studies and at Stanford University for his master’s degree. Boomitra became an amalgamation of his interests, aimed at solving societal problems.

[caption id="attachment_53158" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Aadith Moorthy with Prince Williams during the Earthshot Prize ceremony[/caption]

Connecting needs of farmers and corporates

Farmers seek carbon-rich soil to enhance crop yields, while corporations aim to neutralise their CO2 emissions. Boomitra connects these two needs. Utilising his expertise in materials science, computer science, and artificial intelligence, Aadith founded Boomitra in 2016 with a mission "to unlock climate action at a gigaton scale through science-backed technology." Ever since, the entrepreneur and his team have been working to "empower farmers and ranchers to create a planet that thrives." Today, Boomitra operates across four continents and twelve countries.

In its eight-year journey, the organisation has established itself as the world’s leading soil carbon marketplace. Boomitra helps farmers and ranchers worldwide drawdown carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their soil. By regenerating soils globally, Boomitra is pioneering a greener future characterised by food system resilience and equality for all. The company has been empowering land stewards and enables businesses to meet their sustainability goals effectively.

As per a statement of Boomitra, “It has been able to reduce 10 million metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere through the efforts of 150,000 farmers who use company's proprietary AI and remote sensing technology to measure soil carbon stocks, and to restore grasslands through carbon farming.”

[caption id="attachment_53163" align="aligncenter" width="553"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Image credit: Boomitra[/caption]

Whether it's restoring grasslands in Northern Mexico, empowering pastoralists in Kenya or supporting ranchers in Chihuahua, Sonoran deserts, lowlands of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay in South America, Boomitra has played a transformative role making lives of the smallholder farmers better.

“Effective climate action requires prioritising those most profoundly affected—communities in the Global South,” believes Aadith. Hence in his native country India, his efforts have benefited smallholder farmers through carbon farming initiatives. The organisation has been working to unlock agricultural sustainability in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Merging AI and farming

Aadith’s unique approach utilises satellites and AI-driven technology to measure soil carbon levels and verify carbon credits for sale on the open market. This method bypasses the need for expensive and time-consuming soil sampling, ensuring that a greater share of the revenue from carbon credits goes directly to farmers.

Under his leadership, Boomitra has been helping farmers adopt techniques like minimal tillage and the use of cover crops, which improve soil quality, capture carbon dioxide, boost crop yields, and mitigate climate change. “It’s not just about technological innovation; it’s about fostering climate solutions that resonate with the heartbeat of our global community,” Aadith Moorthy remarked, highlighting why his organisation is considered a leader in climate action.

The organisation is working on the goal to distribute $200 million in carbon finance to tens of thousands of marginalised farmers by 2025.

[caption id="attachment_53160" align="aligncenter" width="466"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Aadith Moorthy[/caption]

Always on the top-of-the-game

The only child of an immigrant computer engineer father and a homemaker mother, Aadith confidently clinched the 22nd National Geographic Bee in 2010. He told National Geographic News at that time, "I wanted to win—that was my goal," adding that he "thought the questions would be harder.”

Just before the final round of the championship, which saw nearly five million fifth- to eighth-grade students vying for spots in the national competition through bees held in all 50 U.S. states, Aadith had mesmerised audiences with his electrifying Carnatic performance.

Along with the U.S. $25,000 college scholarship, the then highschooler of Palm Harbor Middle School had bagged a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society and a trip to the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador.

After passing out of school when Aadith joined Caltech, he was able to earn yet another scholarship for his further studies which took him to Stanford.

[caption id="attachment_53161" align="aligncenter" width="798"] Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian 2010 National Geographic Bee winner Aadith Moorthy (center) with fellow competitors | Image credit: National Geographic[/caption]

Joining a cohort of students from 20 countries, Aadith had joined the inaugural class of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, a scholarship program founded by Stanford University. The scholarship covered his full tuition, boarding expenses, and a living stipend. The program provided leadership training, and brought him into contact with national and world leaders.

It was not an easy selection process as Aadith and other candidates were interviewed by stalwarts in their fields like the former Secretary of State, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, the founder of Nike, former Stanford president and the then chairman of the board of Alphabet, Google's parent company.

"This is a culmination of the past four years of my efforts at Caltech,” Aadith had remarked after getting successful in the tough selection process of Stanford's life changing Knight-Hennessy Scholars program.

No stranger to scholarships, Aadith had earned the Barry Goldwater Scholarship before this achievement, which funded the cost of college tuition, other fees, books, and boarding charges for an entire academic year at Caltech.

After winning the 2010 National Geographic Bee at the age of 13, Aadith had correctly answered every question on the AP calculus exam, becoming one of only 11 people to do so that year, at the age of 16.

Love for Carnatic music

Although Aadith was raised in Florida, growing up he visited his native city Bangalore, every year - spending more than a month learning Carnatic music from his gurus there. "I started singing when I was four, and my first lessons were learned in the US," he shared in an interview. Since online classes were not the norm then, he stayed in touch with his gurus in India through 'phone classes,' he said. Despite being a busy entrepreneur his passion for Carnatic music continues. The well-travelled entrepreneur and singer describes himself as a singer first, a traveller second, and then the CEO of Boomitra on social media.

[caption id="attachment_53159" align="aligncenter" width="503"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Aadith Moorthy during a Carnatic performance[/caption]

Follow Aadith Moorthy on LinkedIn and Instagram
Follow Boomitra on Instagram and LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 Mins

Vidyut Mohan: The social entrepreneur helping India breathe clean air

(June 17, 2022) Living in Delhi, Vidyut Mohan first-hand experienced the hazardous smog caused by stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana at the onset of winter each year. Shrouded in smoke, the capital barely breathes good quality air, thus affecting health and visibility equally. Stubble burning in neighbouring states accounts for some 30 percent of winter air pollution in Delhi. This air quality emergency galvanised the 29-year-old social entrepreneur to start Takachar, a company that converts waste biomass into marketable products at a low cost. The initiative has made him earn a spot in Forbes 30 Under 30, and won him the Young Champions of the Earth 2020 award and the Earthshot Prize 2021, also known as Eco Oscars, under the Clean Our Air category. "I have always been environmentally conscious growing up, and being passionate about energy access, I wanted to do something that not only creates income opportunities for the poor communities but also protects the environment," Vidyut tells Global Indian. Takachar, which impacts four UN Sustainable Development Goals – Responsible Consumption and Production (12), Climate Action (13), Decent Work and Economic Growth (4) and No Poverty (1), is on a mission to fight climate change

ent Goals – Responsible Consumption and Production (12), Climate Action (13), Decent Work and Economic Growth (4) and No Poverty (1), is on a mission to fight climate change and create livelihood for rural population.

[caption id="attachment_25832" align="aligncenter" width="583"] Social entrepreneur | Vidyut Mohan | Global Indian Vidyut Mohan is the founder of Takachar.[/caption]

Creating a dual impact

Born to a teacher mother and a consultant father, Vidyut's childhood trips to rural India exposed him to many problems, thus making him empathetic at a tender age. This pulled him to find solutions to bigger problems, and that's what he intended to do during his master's in sustainable energy technology and sustainable entrepreneurship at the Technische Universiteit Delft, Netherlands. A mechanical engineering graduate, Vidyut was keen to help the poor earn extra income and also solve an environmental problem. "During my thesis, I developed a prototype and tested it in fields. The pilot project in Uttarakhand was to convert local forest waste into charcoal, which managed to double the income of the locals," reveals Vidyut who is a great believer in a "self-sufficient economy."

[caption id="attachment_25833" align="aligncenter" width="573"] Social Entrepreneur | Vidyut Mohan | Global Indian The machine developed by Takachar[/caption]

Having lived in the Indian capital all his life, Vidyut knew that many were suffering from air pollution, and understood that it was a "wasted opportunity" if not turned around to benefit the poor communities financially and also protect the environment. This gave birth to Takachar in 2018. Along with Kevin Kung, whom Vidyut got in touch with during his masters in 2014, he developed a small-scale, low cost and portable equipment that converts waste biomass into solid fuel and fertiliser through the process of torrefaction. "We use agricultural and forest waste and treat it thermos-chemically in our machine which causes biomass to partly decompose and create carbon-rich material - char or biocoal," explains Vidyut, who is motivated to get people out of poverty as well as work for the environmental cause through Takachar. The name, Takachar, struck a chord with him as taka means money in Bengali while char refers to the carbon-rich material.

From a pilot project in Kenya to breaking ground in India

Having already started a pilot project in Kenya in 2016 where rice husks are converted into fertilisers which later scaled up to 6000 farmers, Vidyut knew it was time to officially start in India. Researchers estimate that each year farmers burn about 23 million tonnes of paddy stubble in India which is responsible for 13 percent of the total global emissions from crop burning in India. For farmers, clearing out paddy fields by burning the stubble is the cheapest and easiest way out. However, Vidyut took some time to make the farmers understand the "multi-dimensional impact" of Takachar's technology that could help "mitigate air pollution as well create a rural livelihood." He is helping farmers in dual ways - giving them a chance to earn extra income by selling their waste to Takachar and training them to run the machine effectively, in turn creating livelihood opportunities.

Social Entrepreneur | Vidyut Mohan | Global Indian

It hasn’t always been an easy journey as one of the biggest challenges initially was to make farmers understand the objective and mission of Takachar. "It took us some time to convince the farmers that we aren't going to exploit them. We often work with smaller groups of farmers who don't mind taking the risk," says the social entrepreneur who became an overnight star after winning the first-ever Earthshot Prize, an award set up by Prince Williams and the Royal Foundation.

How Takachar found the limelight

The recognition put Takachar on the global map helping it gain potential customers, partners, and corporates. "The publicity helped attract a lot of people, and gave us the chance to choose who we want to engage with," says Vidyut, for whom the award was the perfect validation as it has a rigorous selection process. He had no inclination that he would make the cut, and the announcement was nothing short of a "surprise" for him. However, his focus is to not get distracted by the opportunities coming his way. "It's important to understand that you cannot do everything and one should prioritise to have a solid foundation," adds Vidyut, who has started two pilot programmes in Haryana and Tamil Nadu.

[caption id="attachment_25835" align="aligncenter" width="667"] Social Entrepreneur | Vidyut Mohan | Global Indian Vidyut Mohan's Takachar wins Earthshot Prize 2021.[/caption]

For Takachar, localisation is the key as it has collaborated with small coconut oil mills for its pilot in Tamil Nadu. "We are using coconut shells to convert them into biomass. And for Haryana project, we are using rice husks," reveals Vidyut who has successfully converted 50 tonnes of biomass into solid fuel until now.

The social entrepreneur is happy to see some action in the green startup space with "government policies helping in fostering innovation and changing its focus from fossil fuel to clean energy." Vidyut, who likes taking long walks and travelling to unwind, wants people to be curious and "question the status quo".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDBJdZrGGhE

With India committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2070, Vidyut isn't ready to wait that long and instead wants immediate action from people. "We can reach the target much earlier as the onus lies on each one of us to take the initiative to conserve energy and live a simple life," the social entrepreneur signs off.

Follow Vidyut Mohan on Twitter and Linkedin

Reading Time: 6 min

The serial entrepreneur from Varanasi: Neena Pandey is painting her canvas with transformative strokes

(September 12, 2023) Neena Pandey’s infatuation with colours, designs, textures, and silhouettes goes back a long way. Growing up in the enchanting city of Varanasi, she experienced firsthand, how skilled weavers and artisans weaved magic on silks with their age-old techniques. She aspired to become an entrepreneur but her highly successful stints in the Silicon Valley wouldn’t let her go. Until one day, when she changed the trajectory of her life and gave up the corporate world to launch her own fashion brand. “My creations are a tribute to the intricate artistry that defines Indian fashion, combined with the contemporary sensibilities I have embraced abroad,” smiles serial entrepreneur Neena Pandey, speaking to Global Indian. A member of the Forbes Business Council, the US-based Neena Pandey is the founder and CEO of The String Code, a luxury fashion brand. She also founded IndieRoots, a lifestyle brand of products, and is the President of Club Z Tutoring, the fastest-growing franchise in the US. The list of top companies she has worked with in Silicon Valley is really long. “I am all about this cool concept called a portfolio career. It's this approach where you don't put all your eggs in one professional basket. You

about this cool concept called a portfolio career. It's this approach where you don't put all your eggs in one professional basket. You diversify, dabble in different ventures, and keep that professional life vibrant and the entrepreneur says.

[caption id="attachment_44809" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey | Global Indian Entrepreneur Neena Pandey[/caption]

Clothes have this incredible ability to work wonders for women, she feels. “They can boost confidence, make a lady feel beautiful, spread genuine happiness, and help her truly appreciate herself,” points out Neena, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband Sachin, an engineer, and their two children, Aditya and Anya. “I have lost count of instances where I noticed that when I am dressed to impress, I walk into meetings with my head held high and crush my presentations,” says Neena. The entrepreneur describes her fashion brand as a canvas where the colors of her Indian upbringing merge with the strokes of contemporary international influences.

A Varanasi girl

Growing up in a middle-class Indian family in Varanasi, Neena and her two elder sisters were consistently reminded by their parents that being unable to support themselves was not an option. “I grew up with limited resources, and always thought that I would ultimately find myself working for someone else as an adult – a path that I did follow,” recalls Neena, who in her younger days, took on the role of the family's designer, creating clothing for everyone at home.

[caption id="attachment_44817" align="aligncenter" width="683"] Neena Pandey | Global Indian IndieRoots artisans at work[/caption]

She did her schooling at St John's School, Varanasi, and an undergraduate degree in Chemistry with Honours from the Banaras Hindu University. During her academic years, Neena aimed to become a doctor due to the limited options typically presented in Indian households at that time – either medical or engineering. “However, I couldn't clear the pre-medical test, which turned out to be a fortunate turn of events in retrospect. I swiftly redirected my focus towards something I was passionate about – fashion and apparel,” informs the entrepreneur, whose professional journey began with India’s largest retail chain, Weekender.

Moving to the Silicon Valley

Before she kicked off her brands, Neena was crushing it as a fierce and outspoken marketing executive in Silicon Valley. While doing an MBA programme with a marketing major at Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business, she got an internship at Adobe Systems during her first summer break in 2007.

Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey

“Adobe asked me to stick around part-time while I finished my programme. I took it up,” informs Neena, who later got an offer from Sun Microsystems, a big player back then and the brain behind Java. They offered her the chance to be the first product marketing manager for Open Solaris, their open-source operating system. Neena had a blast wearing her creative marketing hat– instituting innovative GTM plans to target students and the developer community worldwide. “We ended up exceeding targets by 106%, a full year sooner than projected,” says the former corporate honcho. Later, when Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems, she moved there and worked for two years. She was the ambassador for their cohesive hardware-software messaging. “I also proposed a product idea that became a star product offering later.”

From there, Zyme Solutions came knocking and the entrepreneur was leading the marketing squad for something groundbreaking — channel data management, which was all about giving retailers the tech tools to conquer the retail scene. “We ended up launching the product internationally, making a difference in the lives of retailers, says Neena, who earlier did her Masters in Garment manufacturing technology from NIFT, Delhi.

A leader at heart

She had her fair share of victories at the Silicon Valley but deep down, she had this constant itch to venture into entrepreneurship. Eventually, Neena recognised that entrepreneurship was her calling. “I am the first person in my family to go on an entrepreneurship route. Obviously, my family members were scared when I left my promising career in corporate,” the entrepreneur says. Despite the uncertainty, she ventured into this new journey, acknowledging that success wouldn't be immediate.

[caption id="attachment_44810" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey Entrepreneur Neena Pandey[/caption]

With technology revolutionising fashion retail by reshaping e-commerce and marketing becoming hyper-personalised through data-driven insights and augmented reality, Neena says her tech wins combined with her deep dive into the fashion-retail world have her primed to shape a future all about connections and doing right by the planet.

Neena is also a featured author and contributor for Forbes. “Forbes values my opinion in various polls and publications. Being a part of this, I also get to tap into the vast knowledge pool of accomplished business leaders from all corners of the globe,” the entrepreneur says. As a proud member of the Council, Neena is unlocking a bunch of exclusive opportunities that are tailored to elevate her professional influence to new heights. “I'm connecting and collaborating with other esteemed local leaders in our own private space and at members-only events.”

[caption id="attachment_44821" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey | Global Indian Neena during the photoshoot for The String Code[/caption]

In the midst of this whirlwind, she carves out time for her own well-being. “I hit the gym at 5 in the morning or squeeze in a late-night swim at 10 p.m. Her workout routine covers a wide spectrum – from weightlifting and intense body combat sessions (a fusion of martial arts and kickboxing) to Pilates, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and swimming. “I have incorporated meditation into my daily routine.”

The String Code

The String Code is not just a brand – it's a movement rooted in women's empowerment and manifestation of inspiring ideas and concepts, says Neena. “Our designs cater to diverse sizes and silhouettes, making sure every body type feels confident and comfortable in String Code outfits,” informs the serial entrepreneur, who is the start-up mentor at The Centre for Global Enterprise, New York.

[caption id="attachment_44819" align="aligncenter" width="669"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey | Global Indian A collection from The String Code[/caption]

Launched in July 2021, The String Code is her way of connecting with women across the spectrum. “I have woven my enduring confidence and passion into every string, every thread, and every distinct look meticulously designed for String Code,” says the entrepreneur, whose clothing brand adheres to the United Nations development goals. “The clothing is made in small batches using natural fibers, upcycled fabric, and environmentally conscious business practices when possible.”

Each piece she designs meticulously balances traditional elegance with modern sophistication. “My fashion brand is a canvas where the colors of my Indian upbringing merge with the strokes of contemporary international influences. I offer a collection that resonates with individuals regardless of their cultural background.”

IndieRoots

Collaborating with 60 artisan collectives across India and Southeast Asia, Indieroots is a lifestyle brand offering a range of products. “Its essence lies in bridging the gap between artisans and the global community by establishing a sustainable international market for talented creators. It fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship.”

[caption id="attachment_44816" align="aligncenter" width="701"] Neena Pandey | Global Indian Neena with some of the artisans of IndieRoots[/caption]

Describing IndieRoots - which was established in 2018 - as a profound calling that resonates with her passion for handicraft and home decor, Neena says every piece that finds its way into the homes of her customers narrates a story of artisan traditions kept alive by craftsmen from various corners of the world. She partners with over 60 artisan groups across India. “We've expanded our horizons to include collaboration with other Southeast Asian countries as well,” informs the entrepreneur, who is the executive member of the International LEAP network.

A book worm

Books are Neena’s getaway. The eclectic reader dives into Historical fiction, fiction, and mystery. “Lately, though, I have been drawn to non-fiction. There's something about inspirational, self-help, and spiritual books that just resonates with me,” says the entrepreneur. When it comes to music, she says it's woven into her family's fabric. “My children are passionate singers. Karaoke evenings and backyard jam sessions are pretty much standard fare at our house.”

TV shows? “I've had those nights where I've binged-watch till the wee hours, even when there's a business meeting waiting for me in the morning!” says the entrepreneur, whose favourites span a range of genres, from gripping thrillers and suspenseful espionage tales to comedy. And, when it's time to unwind, Neena finds solace in a good glass of wine.

Follow Neena Pandey on Instagram

Reading Time: 6 mins