Kunal Upadhyay

Kunal Upadhyay is a prominent figure in the Indian startup ecosystem, having co-founded and led several key organizations. He is a Co-founder of IIMA Ventures (also known as CIIE.CO), a leading incubator and seed-fund at IIM Ahmedabad, established in 2007. Under his leadership, CIIE.CO has supported over 1,000 startups, funded more than 500, and deployed Rs 250 crore, significantly contributing to the growth of entrepreneurship in India across various sectors including deeptech, inclusion, and cleantech. iimaventures+3

He is a Founding Partner of Bharat Innovation Fund, a $100 Mn deeptech-focused thematic fund launched in 2018. This fund, along with the Bharat Inclusion Seed Fund which he also manages, invests in early-stage (pre-Series A and Series A) B2B deeptech startups with global market potential. His role involves shaping investment strategies and guiding portfolio companies through follow-on funding rounds. bharat+3

Kunal has a strong background in cleantech and social entrepreneurship. He co-founded Infuse Ventures in 2013, India's first climate-tech and sustainability fund, which deployed early-stage capital into cleantech startups. Earlier in his career, in 2008, he co-founded Sarvajal, a social enterprise dedicated to providing clean drinking water solutions. gov+3

His expertise extends to advising on investment strategies globally, as demonstrated by his role as Senior Investment Advisor at ADB Ventures since May 2020. He also shares his extensive experience through masterclasses on topics like private equity and venture capital, indicating his commitment to fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors. affluense+1

Kunal's foundational education includes a B.Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (1999-2003) and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (2003-2005). He further enhanced his leadership skills as a Chevening Scholar at the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2011. gov+1