Ask the Investor is an interactive series we run at CLIMAFIX that derives key insights from innovative climate investors on many different aspects of their investment journey. (See all posts at Ask the Investor)
This series is done as part of the CLIMAFIX Summit 2023, India’s largest climate startup summit, organized by CLIMAFIX & Energy Consortium – IIT Madras.
In this post, we have Ankit Kedia from Capital A sharing his perspectives.
CLIMAFIX thanks Ankit Kedia for his valuable inputs.
1. Which are the specific climate tech domains that are of interest to you and your firm?
At Capital-A, we take a holistic approach to combating climate change through strategic investments in promising climate tech ventures. Specifically, our focus areas include EV and Mobility, renewable energy generation, Sustainable Materials, Energy storage, carbon capture, carbon accounting and Circular Economy initiatives.
Overall, our goal is to back the pioneers of climate solutions that can be scaled worldwide to radically decarbonize our economy and futureproof our planet for generations to come. Impactful ventures in any domain furthering this mission are of interest.
2. According to you which are the underserved climate tech sectors where more investments are needed but where investing currently is a challenge?
We consider Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), Micro grids and Waste Management as some of the underserved sectors within climate tech that demand more investment. Other underfunded areas like alternative materials and water treatment also face hurdles. These infrastructure-like projects struggle with long timelines, regulatory complexity and uncertainty around revenue streams.
While the need and potential are clear, overcoming demonstration risks and clarifying long-term policy will be key to attracting institutional investors necessitated for scaling. Derisking of flagship projects through public-private partnerships could help drive more patient private funding to accelerate progress in these foundational climate sectors.
3. What are the key challenges that you see in the Indian climate investment domain?
Some of the challenges include.
1. Infrastructure and Implementation Hurdles
2. Access to Finance
3. Data Accessibility and Quality
4. Technology Transfer and Capacity Building
4. What are some of the climate tech innovations (Indian or global) that caught your attention?
a) The climate tech eco system has been seen in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This process involves capture of CO2 from the point of emission to further process it into other applications.
b) Eco friendly building materials Innovations like carbon, concrete, CO2 absorbing bricks, bagasse-based materials and other new age materials for construction.
5. If you had a magic wand that can give you just one wish, what would your wish be?
If I had a magic wand, I would wish that the current electricity generation through renewable sources of 19% goes up to 75% , so as to restore balance of natural resources back into the nature.
