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Karthik Varada

Karthik Varada

Venture Capitalist and Impact Investing Expert in Deep-Tech & ESG

karthikvarada
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Joined February 2025
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Summary

Karthik Varada is a venture capitalist deeply committed to impact investing, particularly in deep-tech and climate-tech startups in India. He leverages his expertise to support portfolio companies' growth and impact visibility, aiming to bridge the investment ecosystems of Japan and India. beyondnextventures+1
With a strong academic background, Karthik holds a Ph.D. in Gender-lens investing and ESG investing and a Master's in Technology Management for Innovation, both from the University of Tokyo. His research includes mathematical models for Social Impact Bonds and the performance of ESG investments targeting gender diversity. beyondnextventures+2
He is a recognized expert in gender-lens investing, having been a founding member of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation’s Asia Women Impact Fund. He has also co-authored a publication on incentivizing investors with impact-linked carry, demonstrating his practical and theoretical contributions to the field. beyondnextventures+3
Karthik possesses leadership experience from his undergraduate days as President of the Student Gymkhana at IIT Hyderabad, where he focused on academic reforms and student welfare, showcasing early signs of his visionary and managerial capabilities. wordpress

Work

Education

Writing

Incentivizing Investors to Make Impactful Investments Introducing a Model for Impact-Linked Carry

January 1, 2024

Co-authored a chapter in the book 'Data-Driven Decision Making in Entrepreneurship', introducing a model for impact-linked carry to incentivize fund managers for both impact and commercial returns. The chapter includes a case study of its implementation by the Indonesia Women Impact Fund (IWEF).

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Notes

SSShota Sagiyamasaid
KVKarthik Varada, Ph.D.
is someone they'd recommend as a standout professional at a venture capital fund.

Jan 13, 2026

AKAravind Kannansaid they've seen
KVKarthik Varada, Ph.D.
make a big positive impact investing in climate technology startups.

Nov 21, 2025

AKAravind Kannansaid
KVKarthik Varada, Ph.D.
is one of the most knowledgeable and supportive VCs they know in deep tech or climate-related fields.

Oct 9, 2025