Synapses

Always inspiring to be part of conversations that push the boundaries of climate innovation. At the Mosambi Climate Conference, we explored AI’s potential to drive sustainability while addressing its own resource demands. Grateful to the panelists and organizers for an insightful discussion! #AIforClimate #ClimateInnovation #Sustainability

Synapses at Raisina: Driving Actionable Pathways for Green Investment At #RaisinaDialogue2025, Synapses was at the forefront of discussions on the future of energy security and climate finance. Our managing partner, Ruchira Shukla, joined the Green Investment Roundtable as a panelist, contributing insights into how India and the Indo-Pacific can drive a practical, investment-ready energy transition. Key takeaways from the discussion: 🔹 Energy Security = National Security – India is demonstrating strategic foresight through initiatives like the Green Hydrogen Mission and large-scale battery deployment, ensuring supply chain resilience. 🔹 Climate Investing: Impact with Returns – Industrial efficiency, indigenous motor design, and agri-supply chain innovation are critical for balancing financial viability and sustainability. 🔹 Green Energy & Green Semiconductors – The transition must go beyond clean energy generation to making semiconductor production green. 🔹 State-Level Climate Leadership – Several Indian states could achieve net zero before the 2070 national target, accelerating localized action. 🔹 India’s Global Role – As a Quad member, India can drive cross-border collaborations across the Indo-Pacific, unlocking technology and capital for the transition. 🔹 Scaling Green Finance – A clear green bond taxonomy, improved ratings, and leveraging GIFT City for climate financing can catalyze large-scale investment. At Synapses, we focus on the nexus of climate and health, recognizing the profound impact of climate change on public health and development outcomes. The transition must be actionable, collaborative, and rooted in real-world solutions. Kudos to the Observer Research Foundation team for creating such a wonderful panel! #SynapsesAtRaisina #EnergyTransition #GreenInvestment #ClimateAction

Synapses at IEEMA Electraverse Sparks! Honored to have our Co-founder & Managing Partner, Karthik Chandrasekar, serve as a jury member at the Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers' Association (IEEMA) Electraverse Sparks Startup Pitch Session, where startups showcased groundbreaking innovations in sustainable mobility, low-carbon energy, power systems, and advanced digital technologies. It was inspiring to see visionary founders driving the future of clean energy and electrification. A big shoutout to Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers' Association (IEEMA) for creating this incredible platform to support and spotlight transformative ideas. Looking forward to more such inspiring interactions! #CleanTech #SustainableMobility #EnergyInnovation #StartupEcosystem #IEEMA #ElectraverseSparks

At #IVCAConclave2025, Ruchira Shukla, our Co-founder & Managing Partner, joined a distinguished panel on Building a Resilient Climate Innovation Ecosystem, moderated by Nishith Desai from Nishith Desai Associates. She spoke alongside Nipun Sahni, Advisor at Apollo Global Management, Inc. and Founder of Rezone Investment Advisors; Raj Pai, Founding Partner at GEF Capital Partners; Rema Subramanian, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Ankur Capital; and Sandiip Bhammer, Managing Partner at Green Frontier Capital. The discussion examined the current landscape of climate investing, analyzing effective strategies, existing challenges, and the structural transformations required to scale high-impact solutions. A key focus was on unlocking new sources of domestic and institutional capital to drive climate innovation. The panel also addressed the risks and opportunities presented by shifting geopolitical dynamics, emphasizing how India can position itself strategically in the global clean economy transition. With climate tech at an inflection point, mobilizing diverse pools of capital will be essential to driving sustainable impact and accelerating innovation. A huge thank you to entire Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) team for putting together a wonderful event! #ClimateTech #VentureCapital #IVCA2025 #ImpactInvesting #Innovation #SustainableFinance

At Capital Connect 2025, organized by TiE Delhi-NCR, our Co-founder and Managing Partner, Ruchira Shukla had the privilege of moderating a thoughtful panel titled Family Offices & HNIs – Fueling India’s Next-Gen Enterprises. The panel featured Vibhore Jayaswal from Culture Cap, Prantik Mazumdar from TiE Singapore, Gaurav Chauhan from MANKIND PHARMA LTD, and Jai Sumer Singh, CFA from Riverwalk Holdings. Here are some key insights from the discussion: Vibhore Jayaswal highlighted the pivotal role of family values in shaping family office strategies. Patience, combined with deep expertise, guides their investment approach, with a strong emphasis on supporting founders through execution challenges. Prantik Mazumdar emphasized the optimism of Singapore-based family offices towards India, highlighting the potential of bilateral bridges between the two ecosystems. However, clear policies, such as those around GIFT City, are essential to enhance confidence. In Singapore, growth is significantly driven by government incentives, including tax benefits, which create an enabling environment for family offices. Jai Sumer Singh highlighted the importance of ownership, emphasizing that every team member has a stake in the fund's success. The approach is rooted in deep sector expertise, with a focus on compounding returns over time. Gaurav Chauhan underscored the value of collaboration, where promoter insights combine with deal team analysis to achieve better outcomes. The strategy reflects a shift towards private markets, driven by a focus on superior returns. A huge thank you to the entire TiE Delhi-NCR team for putting together a wonderful event! #CapitalConnect2025 #TiEDelhiNCR #FamilyOffices

#2024ClimateWrapped Key Climate Actions from India and Beyond 🌱 From India’s bold strides in green hydrogen and climate-resilient crops to global breakthroughs in climate finance and carbon markets, 2024 was a milestone year for sustainability. Check out the highlights below! Ruchira Shukla | Karthik Chandrasekar | Sreyashee Das | Apurva Kedia | Iwank Negi | Saumya Dubey | Anish Tuteja The World Bank Group | IFC - International Finance Corporation | COP29 Azerbaijan | GR Japan | Climate Policy Initiative - India | Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) | Impact Investors Council (IIC) | TiE Delhi-NCR | #ClimateAction #Sustainability #COP29 #GreenHydrogen #NetZero #NYClimateWeek

An insightful session at #SustainabilitySummit2024! The discussion spotlighted the transformative potential of green investments and the pivotal role of innovation in driving sustainability. It was a truly engaging panel discussion, and we look forward to fostering more collaborations to propel the sustainability wagon forward. #LeadWithGreen #TiEDelhiNCR TiE Delhi-NCR | Advait Kumar | Subhadeep Sanyal | Sarika Saxena | Pawan Raj Kumar | Boon | Omnivore | IAN Group (formerly Indian Angel Network) | ZeCa Ventures

At the #GreenReturnsSummit organised by Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), Ruchira Shukla, our Co-founder and Managing Partner, had the pleasure of joining Kunal Khattar from Advantedge Founders, Shailesh Vickram Singh from Climate Angels, Swapna Gupta from Avaana Capital, Arpit Agarwal from Blume Ventures and Rema Subramanian from Ankur Capital to discuss the innovations and new technologies in climate space. The panel discussion provided invaluable perspectives on the evolving landscape of climate innovation and the pivotal role of collaboration in fostering sustainable solutions. Electrification and Battery Technology Batteries are foundational to the electrification of diverse sectors, including heating, cooking, and mobility. Ruchira emphasized the importance of alternative chemistries and battery recycling for improving performance, safety, and sustainability. Indian entrepreneurs, driven by engineering-led innovation, are making remarkable progress in tackling critical battery challenges. Their efforts focus on enhancing efficiency and addressing issues like battery fires, leading to significant advancements in the field. Strengthening Ecosystem Collaboration Ruchira emphasized the role of platforms like IVCA in uniting key stakeholders and elevating India’s VC ecosystem onto the global stage. Initiatives like GIFT City enable funds to operate domestically, reducing dependency on international structures and reinforcing India’s position as a hub for climate innovation. Navigating Capital Efficiency in Climate Tech A phased approach to financing is crucial in the inherently capital-intensive climate tech sector. In the early stages, academic and government grants play a vital role, while in growth stages, debt financing becomes essential as businesses approach EBITDA break-even. Success lies in aligning the right type of capital with the appropriate stage of a company’s journey. A big thank you to the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) team for organising such an insightful event. Here’s to more collaborations that drive the climate discussion forward! #ClimateTech #Innovation #GreenReturnsSummit #Sustainability #Synapses

At the Tech Sector Decarbonisation Challenge, our Co-founder and Managing Partner, Ruchira Shukla, had the honour of hosting an engaging fireside chat with Christopher Young, EVP at Microsoft. The discussion delved deep into the transformative power of AI, Microsoft’s innovations, and the future of sustainable technology. Here are some key highlights from their discussion: Driving the AI Revolution: As AI continues redefining how we work and innovate, Microsoft stands at the forefront of this transformation. Microsoft’s groundbreaking tools like #ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are reshaping industries from insurance to healthcare to supply chain management, showcasing the boundless possibilities of generative AI. Building Responsible AI: The conversation underscored the critical importance of safety, privacy, and data security in AI’s evolution. Drawing parallels with India’s #Aadhar, Chris and Ruchira emphasized how privacy-first approaches can responsibly serve billions, offering key advice to the startups present. Sustainable AI Leadership: With data centers consuming 1-1.5% of global energy—projected to rise to 8% by 2030—the session highlighted Microsoft’s bold commitment to sustainability. As one of the world’s largest renewable energy purchasers, Microsoft has executed 35 power purchase agreements and is driving green innovation in its data center operations. This engaging dialogue was a testament to the incredible potential of AI to transform industries while reinforcing the urgent need for responsible and sustainable practices. A big thank you to Amy Flowers, Chief of Staff to Chris Young, for her crucial role in ensuring the smooth coordination of this impactful discussion. #AI #GenerativeAI #Sustainability #TechDecarbonisation #Innovation #ResponsibleAI #SustainableAI    

We are excited to announce the finalists for Tech Sector Decarbonization Innovation Challenge – a joint initiative by AIC-Synapses Innovation Foundation and Microsoft Join us for the Innovation Challenge Conference happening on November 19, 2024 at the Microsoft office in Gurugram. Come meet the finalists who have been selected from over 160 applications, showcasing innovative climate startups focused on: Energy Transition, Circular Economy, Energy-Efficient AI & ML & Carbon Markets These groundbreaking solutions are at the forefront of the fight against climate change, and you’ll have the unique opportunity to interact with the visionaries driving them forward. Our Chief Guest for the day is Christopher Young, Executive Vice President at Microsoft, who will join us for a fireside chat on Microsoft's AI transformation and its commitment to the Net-Zero Agenda. Why Attend? Meet and interact with the finalists driving innovation in climate tech Engage with industry leaders from Microsoft and other prominent organizations Collaborate with experts and policymakers on the future of sustainability Date: November 19, 2024 Time: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (IST) Location: Microsoft Office, DLF Downtown, Gurugram 👉 Limited seats available! Don’t miss out—Register now: [ https://lu.ma/9jjqr67s ] Ruchira Shukla | Anu Bhavnani | Ashutosh Kumar | Jayant Prasad | UG Sujatha | Ananth Aravamudan | Dr. Rohini Srivathsa | HK Borah | Mahesh Narayanan | Mustafa Wajid | Ajay Chhabra | Pradeep Karuturi | Ravi Sarkunan| Zia Zaman | @Ashwin Krishna K P | Ramneek Bhatia | Mandeep M Singh | Pravin Panchagnula | Karthik Chandrasekar | Vinay Kumar | Priyanka Soni | Sreyashee Das | Anish Tuteja | Apurva Kedia | Iwank Negi | Saumya Dubey #MeetTheFinalists #Decarbonization #ClimateTech #Innovation #EnergyTransition #AI #Sustainability #NetZero #Microsoft #Synapses #FutureOfTech #ClimateAction