Abstract

India faces a complex challenge in transitioning to a net-zero economy while balancing rapid economic growth and environmental responsibility. As the world's second most populous country, India is highly vulnerable to climate change, risking significant GDP contraction if current trends persist. Despite ambitious infrastructure and digitization plans, India must address critical issues in energy transition, sustainable packaging, and water conservation. As a growing economy with significant development goals yet to be achieved, India requires new technologies and innovative business models to combat climate change while sustaining the provision of vital goods and services. The country's burgeoning startup ecosystem, leveraging technology and innovation, is at the forefront of driving this change and capturing value. Avaana has built the most preferred capital for climate technology out of India. Avaana invests in early-stage startups driving climate action and sustainable consumption and production supporting transitioning of critical sectors of the economy to low-carbon, climate-resilient and sustainable development pathways

Bio of the Speaker

Anjali Bansal is the Founding Partner of Avaana Climate and Sustainability Fund - investing in technology and innovation-led start-ups catalysing climate solutions and sustainability. Previously, Anjali was the Non-Executive Chairperson of Dena Bank, appointed by the Government of India to steer the stressed bank’s resolution and merger with Bank of Baroda. Prior to that, Anjali was a Global Partner and Managing Director with TPG Growth PE, responsible for India, SE Asia, Africa and Middle East and strategy consultant with McKinsey in New York.

Anjali has invested in various successful start-ups including Nykaa, Delhivery, Urban Company, Darwinbox, Farmart, and climate tech leaders like Turno, Terra.do and Eeki. She serves as an independent director on leading boards including Tata Power, Nestle, and Piramal Enterprises. She has been appointed on the Board of ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) and GIFT City, and chairs the Climate Council within IVCA. She is a Member of the Evolution Review Committee for Niti Aayog, India’s premier policy think tank chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. 

Anjali has previously chaired the India board of Women's World Banking, and served on the boards of GSK Pharma, Siemens, and Bata. She has co-founded and chaired the FICCI program for Women on Corporate Boards.

Anjali is a member of the YPO and a charter member of TiE. She has been listed as one of the “Most Powerful Women” by India’s leading publications, Business Today, Fortune India and Forbes India. 

She has a bachelors in Computer Engineering from Gujarat University and a Masters from Columbia University.

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