Impact Investors Council (IIC)

In the 8th edition of the India Climate Bulletin, Abhishek Chhazed, Co-founder of recycleX, discusses the company’s groundbreaking efforts to decarbonize construction through their eco-friendly material, REX (Eco-Concrete). REX eliminates cement use entirely, replacing it with industrial by-products, resulting in an 80% lower carbon footprint without compromising on performance. Currently, RecycleX produces 20,000 units of bricks and pavers daily and plans to expand into precast products like pipes and boundary walls. Abhishek highlights the growing interest in sustainable construction materials in India, driven by cost-effective innovations. He explains how recycleX sets itself apart with an asset-lite model, partnering with local manufacturers to scale the production of eco-friendly products. This model allows recycleX to address the challenge of delivering cost-effective, high-quality alternatives to traditional building materials. By eliminating cement, the company’s products not only reduce costs but also minimize carbon emissions. Looking ahead, recycleX is focusing on partnerships with organizations that seek green products and support through capital grants and technical assistance. The company is committed to tracking key environmental metrics, such as CO2 offsets, waste recycling, and resource conservation. Read the complete interview at https://lnkd.in/dqMFgJC2 to know more about recycleX’s innovations and their vision for sustainable construction materials in India.

In the latest edition of Market Pulse, Arun Gore and Shashaank Awasthi, Co-founders of Ally Venture Capital, shed light on their unique approach to disability-tech investments in India. They emphasize the untapped potential of disability inclusion, likening it to the early days of impact investing. With a focus on breaking barriers through assistive technology and universal design, Ally Venture Capital is driven by the social model of disability, which advocates for eliminating environmental barriers that hinder the participation of Persons with Disabilities. Their investment strategy focuses on building businesses that serve excluded consumer segments while ensuring financial viability. They challenge the stereotype that disabled individuals lack the capacity or willingness to pay for products and services, highlighting a USD 1.2 trillion global disposable income among Persons with Disabilities. Ally Venture Capital sees disability inclusion as a smart market expansion strategy, addressing the needs of both Persons with Disabilities and those with similar needs, such as seniors. They also point out innovations like Louie Voice, which enhances app accessibility for visually impaired users and demonstrates the commercial viability of disability-tech solutions. Looking ahead, they envision significant growth in the disability-tech sector, driven by regulatory changes, technological advancements, and emerging support ecosystems. However, they note that the sector remains underfunded, calling for more patient capital from asset owners and LPs to catalyze growth. Ally Venture Capital believes that with the right investments, disability-tech can achieve large-scale impact and profitability in the near future. Read the complete interview in https://lnkd.in/d9t9wSTJ to learn more about their vision and strategy for this evolving space.

In the 8th edition of the India Climate Bulletin, Vikram Dileepan, Director, and Anmol Saxena, ESG & Impact Coordinator at Lok Capital, shed light on the organization's climate-centric investment strategy. Lok Capital, with its longstanding commitment to high-impact investments in sectors like financial inclusion, agriculture, and healthcare, is now prioritizing scalable climate-tech solutions. Their investment thesis focuses on technologies that drive climate resilience, mitigate climate risks, and promote low-GHG (greenhouse gas) production, all while fostering economic development. This approach aims to create synergies between sustainable growth and environmental stewardship. Lok Capital is deeply committed to integrating ESG factors throughout the investment lifecycle, from the initial due diligence process to post-investment monitoring. They distinguish ESG-first investing, which ensures responsible corporate behavior and mitigates risks, from impact investing, which intentionally seeks measurable social and environmental outcomes. Lok emphasizes that while ESG compliance is foundational, it is the intentionality behind impact investing that truly drives meaningful change. Their proprietary ESG scorecard and structured action plans ensure continuous improvement in their portfolio companies' governance and sustainability practices. Looking ahead, Lok Capital’s climate-tech strategy will prioritize clean energy, sustainable agriculture, mobility, and waste management sectors. They have already made strides with their investment in SuperBottoms, a leading player in the reusable diaper market, highlighting the potential of the circular economy. Lok Capital is keen on expanding investments in climate-friendly businesses with a high primary impact, particularly those leveraging technology and innovation as key differentiators. Their SFDR Article 9 compliance ensures that their investments not only meet regulatory requirements but also drive significant environmental and social outcomes. Read the complete interview at https://lnkd.in/gEVgc7av to know more about Lok Capital's climate-tech investment strategies and their vision for driving sustainable impact.

Following the successful conclusion of Prabhav 2024, where the impact investing community came together to drive meaningful change, the August 2024 edition of Market Pulse highlights key developments in the sector. In August 2024, 539 Million USD was invested in 32 impact enterprises. Read the complete report at: www.iiic.in/market-pulse Each issue of the #MarketPulse consolidates all impact investments made in India, features interviews from known investors & entrepreneurs and curated articles about the sector that you must go through. Voices of the Industry: Arun Gore & Shashaank Awasthi, Ally Venture Capital | Anirudh Pachisia, Ecozen | Sanjay Chauhan, MuddleArt Interesting Read Mentions: Proparco, Omnivore | Caspian, BlackSoil | Upaya Social Ventures, Global Business Inroads (GBI), rePurpose Global, Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, IKEA Foundation | Desai & Associates | Somerset Indus Capital Partners | Arvind Agarwal, Ajay Raja, C4D Partners

In the latest edition of Market Pulse, Chandrashekhar Mandal, Founder of Digital Labour Chowk (DLC), sheds light on the innovative approach his platform is taking to empower migrant workers. DLC connects daily wage and domestic migrant construction workers across India with job opportunities via a single mobile application. The platform's standout features include an automatic resume creation and job-matching technology, skill development programs, financial assistance, and government support. It also focuses on ensuring minimum wages, gender equality, and digital literacy initiatives, creating a holistic support system for workers. Chandrashekhar elaborates on the supply chain he has built to connect migrant workers with construction companies. DLC has established Sahayata Kendras in migrant-prone areas to help workers register and access job opportunities. Partnerships with ITI, polytechnic colleges, district employment centers, and other organizations have further extended their reach. The platform also leverages data collection, AI-powered job matching, and geolocation to ensure that workers find suitable job opportunities close to home, while maintaining transparency and ethical recruitment practices. In terms of monetization, Chandrashekhar shared that DLC uses a subscription-based model for employers, offers premium services, and runs promotions for niche companies. The platform’s unique selling proposition lies in its focus on blue-collar workers, offering an end-to-end solution from job search to skill development and financial inclusion. Read the complete interview at https://lnkd.in/gQJf8TeR to learn more about how Digital Labour Chowk is transforming the job market for migrant workers across India.

In the latest edition of Market Pulse, Kriti Tula, Creative Director and Founder at DOODLAGE, discusses the growing interest in circular fashion and the challenges India faces in textile waste management. She emphasizes that while pre-consumer textile waste management is relatively organized, post-consumer waste presents significant obstacles due to the lack of a formal collection system. She highlights the need for investment in building sustainable infrastructure to manage domestic waste, connect existing solutions, and promote consumer behavior changes towards responsible fashion. Kriti also underscores the importance of chemical recycling and the potential for India to reduce reliance on virgin materials by increasing the use of recycled fabrics. However, she notes that the absence of funding and a supportive ecosystem is preventing the country from scaling solutions for circular fashion. She stresses that many sustainable brands have struggled to survive due to the lack of patient capital, which is essential for supporting responsible brands in the long run. Despite these challenges, Kriti remains hopeful about the future of responsible fashion. She advocates for brands to lead the way in changing consumer behavior, creating aesthetically appealing, affordable products that encourage ethical consumption. Read the complete interview at https://lnkd.in/dRuTn8Gf to learn more about Kriti's insights on the future of circular fashion in India.

In the latest edition of Market Pulse, Raj Kumar, Investment and Portfolio Manager at Yunus Social Business, delves into the fund’s India-focused investment strategy, which prioritizes equity and debt investments in early-stage, growth-oriented social enterprises. Yunus Social Business focuses on sectors like Agriculture, WASH, Waste Management, and Healthcare, with an overarching commitment to addressing critical social issues such as poverty, unemployment, and climate change. The fund supports companies that offer essential services to low-income communities while creating self-employment and promoting green solutions to reduce carbon emissions. Raj emphasizes their investment in emerging technologies, highlighting areas such as precision agriculture, AI-driven waste management, telemedicine, and renewable energy. He shares that while the EdTech sector has slowed down in recent years, there are opportunities in skilling and employability-focused solutions, which address critical talent gaps in industries. Yunus Social Business's investments in companies like Virohan and BridgeLabz demonstrate the potential of social enterprises to deliver both social impact and financial returns, with a strong focus on job readiness and accessible education for underserved communities. Looking ahead, Yunus Social Business is evolving its investment approach by launching theme-based funds, including a SEBI-approved Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) focused on WASH and Waste sectors. They are also exploring opportunities in climate-resilient agriculture through a sector-specific Food Fund. To learn more about their evolving strategy and their commitment to scalable social enterprises, read the complete interview at https://lnkd.in/d-hkvsuH to know more.

In the latest edition of Market Pulse, VIKAS BHATT, Managing Director of NABVENTURES Fund., shares his insights on the evolving agritech landscape in India. He highlights how the sector has seen remarkable growth over the past five years, with agritech startups leading innovation to tackle pressing agricultural challenges. Despite a slowdown in VC investments in recent years, Vikas emphasizes that startups should focus on refining their business models and driving profitability to navigate the current investment climate. NABVENTURES remains committed to supporting companies that leverage technology to transform Indian agriculture. Vikas explains how the fund has backed businesses in precision agriculture, fintech for agri-credit, and blockchain for traceability, among others. Additionally, NABVENTURES is exploring upstream and midstream solutions by fostering long-term relationships with farmers and recognizing the significance of trust-building in scaling these models. To learn more about Vikas’s thoughts on agritech trends, business models, and NABVENTURES' investment strategies, read the complete interview at https://lnkd.in/d_qUv-mk to know more.

As a part of Avaana India Climate Week, we hosted an informative roundtable, partnering with Impact Investors Council (IIC) for their flagship conference, Prabhav 2024 on - The Role of Technology in Accelerating Climate Action. The attendees for the roundtable were Swapna Gupta, Partner at Avaana Capital, Chakravarthy AB, Co-CEO at Upaya Social Ventures, Samir Shah, Managing Partner at Peak Sustainability Ventures, Jagjeet Sareen, Partner at  Dalberg, Shivank Saxena, Investment Manager at SAGANA, and Neha Khanna Senior Manager at Climate Policy Initiative. The session analyzed India’s climate tech evolution with a keen focus on achievements, challenges, and the path forward in climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience. They also identified opportunities in climate tech while bridging the gap between tech, corporate policy, research, and financing groups. The roundtable was followed by an exclusive social mixer, offering attendees the chance to network with leading climate tech investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators facilitating meaningful connections and potential collaborations. We thank GIRISH AIVALLI, CEO of Impact Investors Council (IIC), and the entire team for organizing Prabhav 2024 with their informative roundtables and panel discussions. #ClimateAction #Sustainability #ClimateFinance #GlobalCollaboration #ClimateTech #AvaanaIndiaClimateWeek Anjali Bansal Swapna Gupta Sandeep Singhal Shruti Srivastava Rahul Bhapkar Prasad Ghadi Kashmira Contractor Srishti Parikh Advik Singh Vatsal Dusad Dr. Aastha Paliwal Mridula Ramesh S Ramadorai AN Roy Tsega Gebreyes Bobby Parikh Amazon Web Services (AWS) Tata Sustainability Group RMI Rainmatter Foundation Mahindra Group Spectrum Impact Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) All Ivy Alumni Climate and Sustainability Practitioner's Network Ladies Who Lead FarMart The Sustainability Mafia Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) TiE Aarti Industries Ltd. Turno

💡 A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Patrons for Prabhav 2024 A huge thank you to all our patrons for their invaluable support in making Prabhav 2024 a success. Your contributions have been instrumental in bringing together global impact leaders and advancing the impact investing ecosystem. We are deeply grateful for your commitment and partnership in driving meaningful change. #Prabhav2024