Listen to The Blended Finance Company Podcast on finance for good | Vikram Gandhi posted on the topic | LinkedIn (2024)

Last week, I had the privilege of addressing a pivotal issue at the Business Today India at 100 Summit: Development While Decarbonizing: India’s Path to Net Zero.Here are some of the key takeaways from our discussion:Addressing the impact of climate change is a collective action problem that requires collective action on all fronts:Policy and Regulation: Effective policy and regulatory frameworks are crucial. India needs substantial policy support, whether through carbon taxation or mandates for renewable energy and green product consumption, to meet its climate goals. India’s policy landscape must accelerate to address the climate finance gap.Technology and Innovation: Technological advancements are essential to driving progress. Innovations such as hydrogen, carbon capture, and biofuels are vital, but the current focus needs to be on reducing costs and scaling green technologies. Investing in these technologies mirrors the transformative potential of digitization and AI over the past two decades. Several startups that we had the opportunity to visit with Harvard Business School in Bangalore are at the forefront of this innovation wave, making significant strides in clean tech and sustainable practices.Investors and Asset Funds: Long-term investors, including pension funds and other asset owners, need to incorporate climate risks into their strategies, given their long-term focus. Significant investment opportunities exist in companies investing in green technologies. Despite higher upfront costs, these investments often lead to higher PE multiples and significant long-term value creation. Carbon markets and blended finance models—where direct government capital is combined with private investments—offer pathways to scaling up climate initiatives and managing risk. Asset funds that align with sustainable investments can capitalize on the growing green premium and expand their market potential.Venture Capital in Clean Tech: Venture capital plays a crucial role in advancing clean technologies. High-risk, high-reward investments in areas like green hydrogen, carbon capture, and regenerative agriculture present significant opportunities. While venture capital in clean tech can be volatile, it holds the potential for transformative impacts and substantial returns. Investors with a high-risk appetite should consider engaging with this dynamic sector to support the next generation of sustainable innovations.Market Forces: Market forces are shaping the adoption of green technologies. As consumer demand for sustainable practices grows, it influences companies to invest in green technologies and infrastructure. Companies need to get ahead of this curve, both in terms of increasing regulation and customer preferences. Companies that adopt these technologies and sustainable practices may see their valuations expand as the green premium becomes a more integral part of their market positioning.(Continued in comments)

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Tomorrow, I’ll be speaking at Business Today's #Adani BT #IndiaAt100 Summit. As India navigates its path towards net-zero emissions, I will be discussing the critical balance between economic development and environmental sustainability. In my session,Development While Decarbonizing: India’s Path to Net Zero, I’ll address the investment opportunities and challenges that lie ahead - as with other megatrends this is a generational investment opportunity which must be focused on.

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The recent India Conference at Harvard brought together inspiring conversations about India's global impact. Highlights from the event at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School featured leading personalities from government, business, entrepreneurship, technology, culture and the arts discussing what it means to put India on the global stage. This event is a great platform to learn about the rapidly growing Indian economy and hear first-hand from key players. Stay tuned for details on the next edition!

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We were thrilled to work with Douglas Chow and the PortageBay team on this case and look forward to teaching it again this year.

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We were honored to have President & CEO John Graham and Chief Sustainability Officer Richard Manley join us in class at Harvard Business School to discuss the latest case study, 'CPP Investments - The Road to Zero'. Thank you so much for taking the time share your views and experiences with HBS MBA students. CPP Investments | Investissem*nts RPC

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I'm excited to share that I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on the The Blended Finance Company Podcast!In this episode, I delve into myimpact investing journey, and share learnings and case studies on howinnovative blended finance structures can help catalyze commercial capital to achieve important societal objectives. I also discuss what it will take to achieve the transformative impact and systems change that we envision.A big thank you to the Blended Finance Podcast team and Nirav Khambhati for having me on the show! You can listen to the episode on Spotify here:https://lnkd.in/g7jQ7BaF

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Proud to announce that Vastu Housing Finance Corporation Ltd., an important investment in the Asha Impact portfolio, has some fantastic news to share. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to this achievement. Asha Ventures

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As the class of 2024 prepares to embark on their post-Harvard Business School journeys, I'm reminded of the invaluable lessons learned within this iconic institution. Here's a link to an article that collects advice from faculty, including myself, on transitioning out of HBS and back into the real world:https://lnkd.in/dxKnSsMV.Students- as you read through, I encourage you to embrace intentionality, prioritize impact, and stay connected with the HBS network. Remember, the journey doesn't end at graduation—it's a lifelong commitment to learning and growth.

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