Foundations
Vikram Gandhi is a dedicated advocate for social impact and economic development, blending his extensive experience in finance with a strong commitment to addressing critical challenges in India and other emerging economies. He teaches at Harvard Business School, where he has developed two innovative courses in the Elective Curriculum of the MBA Program: “Sustainable Investing,” which covers finance and investment strategies, and “Development While Decarbonizing: India’s Path to Net Zero,” an immersive field course that explores climate-related opportunities and risks within a growing economy.
In addition to these courses, Vikram teaches “Leadership & Corporate Accountability”, a required course in the MBA curriculum and has previously taught “FIELD Global Immersion” and “The Entrepreneurial Manager” which are also in the Required Curriculum of the MBA Program. His commitment to education extends to various Executive Education programs, where he shares his expertise with a broader audience. Furthermore, he is a member of the Impact Co-Laboratory, focusing on research in the area of Impact Investing, further solidifying his role as a thought leader in sustainable finance.
Vikram is a co-founder of Asha Ventures, an inclusion and sustainability-focused fund that invests in early to growth-stage companies. The fund aims to achieve commercial risk-adjusted returns and meaningful impact by investing and partnering with entrepreneurs that leverage technology to build scalable businesses focused on India’s emerging middle class in critical issues such as financial inclusion, education, health and climate change. Asha Ventures is committed to building resilient business models that can adapt to changing environments while fostering job creation and economic development.
The fund not only provides equity to social enterprises but also emphasizes strategic guidance and resources to enhance the growth and impact of its portfolio companies. By actively engaging with government, businesses, and civil society, Asha Ventures tackles pressing policy issues and works towards sustainable development in India, furthering its mission to leverage capital, networks, and expertise for meaningful change.
Additionally, Vikram is a co-founder of The Blended Finance Company, established in partnership with the Susan and Michael Dell Foundation. This company advises and structures blended finance transactions to address important societal challenges, making blended finance simple, efficient, and scalable. It serves as a full-stack service provider for blended finance transactions, enabling commercial investors to deploy significant capital while generating sustainable returns. This initiative aims to increase the flow of capital to tackle the world’s most pressing issues while improving the utilization of resources to magnify impact.
Vikram plays a pivotal role in advising on energy transition initiatives, focusing on sustainable investments that align with global efforts to combat climate change. His expertise in this field is instrumental in guiding various funds, including the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), as they navigate the complexities of energy transition investments in emerging markets, particularly India.
In his advisory capacity, Vikram emphasizes the importance of integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into investment strategies. He collaborates with stakeholders to develop frameworks that foster renewable energy projects, promote energy efficiency, and catalyze innovation in new technologies focused on areas such as carbon capture, battery storage, and green hydrogen. By leveraging his extensive network and deep understanding of both the financial landscape and local market conditions, Vikram assists funds in identifying high-impact opportunities that not only promise commercial financial returns but also contribute to a more sustainable future.
Vikram’s commitment to development extends beyond Asha Ventures and The Blended Finance Company. He serves on the Board of Directors of Grameen Foundation and Grameen Foundation India. As a Founding Member of Harvard University’s South Asia Initiative, he plays a pivotal role in fostering higher education and social entrepreneurship in India. He is also a member of The Global Leaders Circle and has contributed to the Business & Environment and Social Entrepreneurship initiatives at Harvard Business School.
Through his work, Vikram Gandhi exemplifies the intersection of finance and social impact, leveraging his expertise to create sustainable solutions for the challenges faced by societies today.