The CLIMAFIX Summit is India’s largest climate startup summit, organized by EAI & Energy Consortium – IIT Madras. Anjani Bansal(moderator) of Global Brain shares his thoughts on Low Carbon Agri & Food at CLIMAFIX Summit 2022, Nov 22, 2022, at the IIT Madras Research Park, Chennai.
Other panel participants were:
Surraen Sundhar – Aana Crop Solutions Pvt Ltd (Watch their presentation – here)
Vasudev Vangara – Viswambhara (Watch their presentation – here)
Ramesh G – Way2Grow (Watch their presentation – here)
Hemali Gala – Nomou (Watch their presentation – here)
Nagarajan S – Made from Plants (Watch their presentation – here)
Ankush J – Oatey (Watch their presentation – here)
Anjani Bansal, representing Global Brain Corporation, shared insightful reflections on the dynamics shaping the agritech and food sector. With a focus on fostering innovation and sustainable growth, his remarks shed light on the critical need for alignment between diverse capital sources and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Navigating the Landscape of Capital and Entrepreneurship
Anjani began by emphasizing the significance of bridging the gap between the varied demands of capital and the available sources in the agritech and food space. Drawing from personal experiences spanning philanthropic ventures, angel funding, and now venture capital, Anjani underscored the absence of a centralized platform to facilitate this alignment. This observation highlights a pivotal opportunity for stakeholders to create a clearinghouse that optimizes the match between entrepreneurial needs and capital resources.
Global Brain Corporation: A Catalyst for Innovation and Impact
Global Brain Corporation, as a sector-agnostic fund with a substantial portfolio, serves as a testament to the potential for impactful investments in the agritech and food sector. With approximately $2 billion under management and investments in over 300 companies, the fund’s commitment to fostering innovation is evident. Notably, Anjani emphasized the burgeoning focus on climate tech within the fund’s portfolio, reflecting a global trend towards sustainable solutions.
Prioritizing Adaptation: Unleashing Potential in Climate Tech
A key takeaway from Anjani’s discussion is the imperative of prioritizing adaptation within climate tech investments. While innovations in power generation, energy mobility, and agriculture are pivotal, the focus on adaptation remains relatively nascent. Anjani encouragement for entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in this realm underscores the untapped potential for addressing climate challenges.
Rigor in Impact Assessment: Paving the Way for Informed Investments
Moreover, Anjani highlighted the importance of robust impact data in evaluating investment opportunities. The lack of standardized metrics for assessing the long-term impact of solutions poses a challenge for investors seeking to compare opportunities across regions. Anjani’s call for entrepreneurs to strive for globally comparable standards underscores the importance of rigor and transparency in impact assessment.
India’s Role in Driving Sustainable Change
Lastly, Anjani emphasized India’s pivotal role as a hub for innovation in tackling emissions from the agriculture and food sector. With nearly 18 to 20 percent of global emissions originating from this sector, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions. Anjani optimism about India’s potential as a nerve center for innovation underscores the country’s significance in driving sustainable change on a global scale.
In conclusion, Anjani insights offer valuable perspectives on the intersection of capital and entrepreneurship in the agritech and food sector. By fostering alignment, prioritizing adaptation, and embracing rigorous impact assessment, stakeholders can collectively drive meaningful innovation and create a more sustainable future for all.
