6 Enterprising IIM Alumni Leaders Powering India’s Green Future
Not long ago, sustainability sat on the fringes of corporate strategy—an obligation to be managed rather than an opportunity to be seized. Today, that dynamic has shifted fundamentally. In Indian boardrooms, addressing climate change is now a central focus rather than just a minor topic; it is influencing how capital is invested, the structure of businesses, and what growth means. A new wave of business leaders is leading the way in combining strategic planning with a focus on environmental sustainability.
IIM alumni are at the forefront of this movement in India, spearheading the development of large-scale renewable energy projects, revolutionizing transportation for a more eco-friendly future, and addressing important issues related to water and resource efficiency. Their success stories highlight a significant change in perspective: sustainability is not just about reducing harm anymore, but about creating businesses that are equipped for a world with limited carbon emission capabilities.
Also Read: Lok Sabha Passes Railway Grants, Vaishnaw Highlights Allocation
Ajay Jain, Sustainability & Water Industry Expert; Member Board of Governors, IIM Calcutta
Ajay brings more than four decades of experience as a business owner and a leader in the corporate sector. Over the course of his career, he has gained a reputation for creating thriving businesses through innovative strategic planning and effective execution. His main focus has been on business strategy and leading teams. He has spent a considerable amount of time working in marketing, managing extensive retail networks, and gaining valuable experience in lean manufacturing.
Ajay has been the driving force behind Enzotech Solutions Pvt Ltd since 2011, serving as the Promoter and Managing Director of the company specializing in water and wastewater recycling. Over the years, he has successfully completed over 425 projects in various locations spanning India and Africa, showcasing his expertise in the field. Enzotech has been recognized for its exceptional contributions to Water Conservation by receiving the prestigious CII award and also holds ownership of two patents.
Ajay's reputation as a top industry specialist is well-known, and he is often consulted by architects and consultants for their project designs. Enzotech was recently purchased by a company listed on the NSE. He often speaks at CII - IGBC events discussing Water Conservation and Waste Water treatment, and he teaches about water conservation.
Additionally, he teaches as a visiting professor at well-known management institutes in India such as IIM Calcutta, IIM Trichy, LIBA, and Great Lakes Institute. His topics of expertise range from Strategic Marketing & Branding to Entrepreneurship and B2B Sales. He is currently serving as a member of the Board of Governors of IIM Calcutta and is also a member of the Audit Committee, Personnel Committee, and Building & Works Committee established by the Board of Governors of IIM Calcutta.
Kuldeep Jain, Founder & Managing Director, CleanMax
Kuldeep is a forward-thinking innovator, has revolutionized the environmental sustainability scene in Asia by fast-tracking the decarbonization process for forward-thinking businesses. CleanMax was established by him with the goal of spearheading the shift towards renewable energy within the commercial and industrial realms. Under his guidance, the company has experienced remarkable expansion.
Having graduated from IIM Ahmedabad and being a Chartered Accountant, as well as a former Global Partner at McKinsey & Company overseeing energy and corporate finance, Kuldeep's knowledge has played a crucial role in the incredible success of CleanMax. His expertise in planning, caring for the environment, and innovative leadership have driven the company to a prominent position in India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
With his guidance, CleanMax has emerged as the top choice for businesses aiming for sustainability and Net-Zero objectives.
His talent in attracting major investors and building trust among stakeholders highlights his unique ideas, further cementing CleanMax's status as a trailblazer in the industry. CleanMax caters to various corporate clients and has facilitated their transition to clean energy effortlessly and without risk. Companies in various sectors such as Data Centers, Textiles, Automotive, Chemicals, Pharma, FMCG, and others have increasingly turned to CleanMax for their Net-Zero solutions. Kuldeep's accomplishments have been honored and applauded by prestigious institutions including ET (Star of Industry), Forbes (Green Warrior Award), IIM (Young Alumni Achiever), and others.
Sumant Sinha, Founder, Chairman and CEO, ReNew
Sumant is a renowned entrepreneur and environmental advocate, established ReNew in 2011 with the goal of promoting a widespread shift towards sustainable energy. Through his guidance, ReNew has developed into one of the leading renewable energy firms in India, boasting a varied range of projects in solar, wind, and battery storage, along with a prospective capacity of around 28 GW. ReNew has significantly contributed to the advancement of India's clean energy goals by positively impacting the country's power capacity and aiding in the reduction of carbon emissions, all while facilitating job creation.
Also Read: Former WPP and Dentsu Executive Anita Kotwani Joins Zoo Media
Sumant has played a crucial role in utilizing digital innovations to promote the adoption of green energy, specifically in the B2B sector, where the company holds a prominent position as a market leader. He is actively involved in influencing discussions on the global and national climate, in addition to his business activities. He serves as the co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders and participates in various policy and industry organizations in India that work towards promoting clean energy adoption.
Additionally, he holds a leadership role as a founding co-chair of the Bharat Climate Forum. Sumant has made significant contributions that have garnered him widespread acclaim, such as being designated as one of TIME's Most Influential Climate Leaders and Forbes' Global Sustainability Leaders. With his leadership, he is committed to solidifying India's position as a leader in the global shift towards sustainable energy.
Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder & CEO, & Swapnil Jain, Co-founder - Ather Energy
Tarun co-founded Ather Energy with Swapnil Jain in 2013 at the IIT Madras campus. The initial goal of creating better batteries expanded into a comprehensive organizational initiative. Together, they introduced India's first smart electric scooter with the intention of transforming the two-wheeler market in the country. In his role as the CEO of Ather, Tarun oversees the development and growth of the product and business, always striving to provide Ather's customers with an exceptional experience. Tarun strongly believes in the ecosystem approach to driving the adoption of electric vehicles. Over time, Swapnil and Tarun have collaborated with various stakeholders to establish supportive ecosystems for EVs, focusing on expanding charging infrastructure and suppliers.
Tarun and Swapnil collaborated to create the Ather 450 series, India's inaugural smart and connected electric scooters, with the shared conviction that this is the direction in which personal transportation is evolving. Ather stands out in the Indian automotive sector for its unique blend of sleek design and engineering, combining both hardware and software in its products and services. Their current range of products consists of the Ather Rizta, Ather 450X, Ather 450S, as well as Public and Private charging Infrastructure, Accessories and Merch, and unique ownership schemes. Additionally, they are developing an entire network for electric vehicles in India, with a focus on homegrown design and locally made components.
Also Read: Cadence Names Dr. Alok Jain as Managing Director for India
Ashish Dokania, Founder & CEO, Green Tiger Mobility
Ashish Dokania is an Indian visionary businessman who is leading the way in promoting sustainable transportation with his role as the creator and chief executive officer of Green Tiger Mobility, a startup based in Bengaluru that specializes in converting traditional vehicles to electric power. Before creating GT, Ashish successfully developed and grew two businesses for the Shapoorji Pallonji group. He initiated and managed Transtel Utilities, a company that specialized in providing adaptable energy solutions to the European market, specifically in the UK and Italy. Ashish was responsible for spearheading S&W's (SP group co.) entry into the solar industry, where he developed innovative ideas and expanded the rooftop solar business to more than 15 locations in India, ultimately exiting with success within a short period of three years. Additionally, he took charge of acquiring and later selling over 100 MW of ground-mounted solar assets in India.
Green Tiger Mobility is transforming the future of two-wheelers in India by converting current petrol scooters into electric and hybrid options for all. Seeing the vast number of petrol scooters still in use, the company recognized the need for solutions that reduce emissions while remaining affordable. By utilizing ARAI-approved technology, Green Tiger Mobility is leading the charge in converting petrol two-wheelers into electric scooters and hybrid EVs, with a focus on sustainability and clean transportation, particularly in smaller cities. Through their domestically produced solutions, they are making environmentally friendly commuting more widespread across the country.
The company is at the forefront of transforming electric scooters sustainably in India, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by repurposing vehicles instead of disposing of them. In addition, they are working on creating a holistic EV environment by constantly coming up with new ideas, adapting electric vehicle technology to local needs, and providing training to ensure that eco-friendly transportation is available to everyone. Green Tiger Mobility Pvt Ltd has been honored with the FICCI Start-Up Stars Award for their pioneering work in converting electric two-wheelers. This acknowledgment underscores their commitment to sustainable business practices in the EV industry.