Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
About Pankaj
Connecting People, Building Networks, Harnessing Knowledge & Technology to Create a Sustainable, Responsible, Inclusive Society....
Pankaj has been working at the intersection of finance, operations and sustainability for about 15 years, leading performance improvement and sustainability / ESG integration initiatives, technology commercialization, strategic projects and business expansion across West Europe, Indian Sub-continent, the USA, parts of Africa and LATAM. A value creation and due diligence expert, he has extensively worked in business advisory and management consulting roles with mid-market private equity firms, portfolio companies, early-stage ventures as well as legacy companies successfully delivering sustainable, scalable, responsible and profitable growth.
Through his non-profit, he's deeply involved in skilling and training of rural youth, especially girls for successful energy transition and climate-resilient development. He takes keen interest in geo-politics, international affairs, and macroeconomic developments. An avid reader, travel enthusiast, and food connoisseur, he excels at building bridges and forging partnerships for impactful work.
professional highlights
Performance Improvement & Sustainability / ESG Advisory, EBITDA Improvement
Pankaj has been advising both investors and businesses—ranging from early-stage ventures to legacy companies - on risk mitigation, value creation and operations, all while adhering to ESG and sustainability frameworks. A certified Lean Six Sigma professional with proven expertise in project management, he has delivered cumulative savings of $20M through operational efficiency improvement initiatives; improved inventory management and cash flows using technology and process optimization thus significantly improving EBITDA and unlocking value.
He has developed emission (Scope 1,2,3) reduction roadmaps, conducted materiality assessment and prepared ESG integration strategy for 18 mid-market PE firms and more than 90 PortCos; collaborated with fund managers and management of businesses for business analysis delivering actionable insights that drove operational improvement and profitability.
Some Consulting Assignments:
1. Advised an agri-tech company on transitioning to sustainable materials, packaging, future ready product offering and prepared roadmap for 5X topline growth in 3 years. 2. Optimized supply chains for solar energy equipment manufacturer and distributor cutting logistics costs by 12%, waste in distribution by 23% saving $3M annually. 3. Advised management of a BESS developer in raising $95M from SFDR Article 8 funds. Advised an industrial decarbonization focused global PE firm ($6.5B AUM) raise $135M for ESG compliant fund. Designed ESG roadmap and KPIs for the fund manager. 4. Improved Operating cycle by 25% and Cash Conversion Cycle by 32% by creating synergies across departments and using technology for better visibility of material flow.
Technology Commercialization, Comprehensive Due Diligence and M&A Deal Experience
A seasoned operations and finance expert, he has been conducting Comprehensive Due Diligence of businesses, projects and technologies.
He played key role in preparing a graphene technology venture for $5 million fundraise at a $30M valuation. Managed 14 PortCos of energy transition fund (2015-2021). Streamlined operations and increased EBITDA margins by an average 12% across portfolio. Facilitated geographical expansion, and deployment of clean technologies on scale. Successfully facilitated 2 strategic sales.
Sell-side Deals: He spearheaded $28M acquisition of energy storage technology company, overseeing the entire process from target identification to deal closure. Led a cross-functional team of 9 people during strategic sell of BU at a valuation of $45M.
Operations, BD, Budgeting & Forecasting and P&L Responsibility ($30M)
Standardized processes and implemented Six Sigma, Kaizen (Continuous Improvement), 5-S, ISO initiatives. Created processes and reporting structures for efficient operations.
Hands-on business development professional who has grown product companies organically as well as inorganically across geographies. Thorough knowledge of developing supply chain and expansion of distribution channels, strategic partnerships, pricing and promotion strategies, new product launches achieving profitable growth and significant increase in brand market share.
ed cross-functional team of about 20 people for budgeting and forecasting of the business unit and directly worked with the Board of Directors for strategic initiatives and business operations. Identified KPIs, designed dashboard of key financial and operational indicators and tracked business performance regularly.
Startup Eco-system: Key member of the founding team and Strategic Advisor
Deeply involved in the startup ecosystem across North America, West Europe and India. Leveraged network of investors, incubators and financial institutions in the energy transition and impact investing space to help early-stage ventures grow rapidly. Extensively worked with product-oriented technology companies providing decarbonisation solutions helping the management expand operations, analyse customer value chain and build a business around technologies.
With strong background in valuation and negotiations, helped ventures raise funds from diverse sources including VCs, PE Firms, Impact Investors, Foundations etc.
Fundraising and Fund Deployment: ~ $600M
Worked with private market firms, incubators and early-stage ventures to raise seed and series A funding. Seasoned due diligence expert (technology, financial, operational, governance, ESG and materiality). Led the entire fundraising process from maintaining data room to negotiations.
Mobilized project finance for deployment of clean technologies for decarbonisation at scale in different industries.
Portfolio & Project Management
Successfully designed and implemented high stakes business development and promotion events, fundraising roadshows, sectoral and thematic roundtables and seminars across Asia, Europe and North America. Led cross-functional teams across geographies for clean-tech projects ranging from $1M to $50M. Negotiated and closed technology partnerships and commercial deals.
Implemented strategic projects and portfolio investments across geographies.
Strategy Consulting & Stakeholder Engagement
From operators on the manufacturing shopfloor to C-suit executives, investors, senior policy makers, bureaucrats, civil society organisations.... extensively worked with wide range of stakeholders to GET THINGS DONE.
Approach to value creation
Operational Improvement + Financial Engineering + Sustainability = Value Creation
Key projects
Strategy & Value Creation Consulting
• Product portfolio and pricing optimization for hand tools and power tools business to target high quality high margin niche product segment.
• Product development and market strategy for launching economy range offering in Africa market to enhance brand market share by 50% in 2 years.
• Successfully launched consumer products (F&B segment) in the HORECA segment across 8 metro cities and 400+ outlets generating a business of $10.5M in first 2 years capturing about 6-8% market share.
• Assessment of Green Hydrogen Business Opportunity for India’s biggest renewable energy developer. The project involved techno-commercial benchmarking of projects across top 5 key markets and analysis of policies; identifying areas for early adoption and the unit economics needed
• Strategic business transformation: Advising a legacy transportation business on electrification of transportation and mobility-as-a-service space.
• Analysis of natural gas industry and its role in energy transition for an association of oil and gas companies from a prominent Nordic country.
• Consultancy work with government agencies and multilateral organizations for sustainable development of Blue-economy and deployment of offshore technologies. Published White Papers, Policy Reports and provided Thought Leadership. The projects covered green shipping, offshore wind, offshore aquaculture and deep-sea mining industries.
Operations & Due Diligence
• Major US industrials client targeting investment in EV charging infrastructure and fireproof battery technology.
• A legacy business, distributor of electrical and industrial components targeting investment in downstream Offshore Wind equipment supply chain on the East Coast of US.
• Due Diligence for one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth fund of a specialty chemical manufacturer, steel & thermal power producer and waste to energy power developer.
• Confidential PE Firm targeting a major US based developer of utility scale solar and battery energy storage projects
• Confidential PE Firm targeting acquisition of electric motor system manufacturer for the 20-50 feet leisure and commercial boat segment
• Confidential PE Firm targeting investment in elevator door aftermarket solution provider offering repair and maintenance kits.
• Confidential PE Firm targeting investment in direct-to-consumer provider of replacement windows, roofing and siding.
• Venture arm of a legacy company targeting acquisition of battery-operated power tools business catering to the demand from agro-forestry sector.
Strategy, Sustainability & Value creation
Sustainability & Value Creation
Sustainability & Value Creation
Sustainability & Value Creation
From sourcing and production, finance, sales & marketing, branding & communications, to development of distribution network, resource management, pricing and promotion... managed range of functions to accelerate profitable growth and increase market share. Hands-on experience of Six Sigma, Kaizen and other process standardization tools. A seasoned sustainability professional with experience across industries.
Fundraising & Fund-deployment
Sustainability & Value Creation
Sustainability & Value Creation
Raised ~ $100M for early-stage ventures (seed, series A) for 20+ ventures, provided strategic advisory, designed commercial pilots & partnerships, and led IR function.
50+ Startups Mentored
20+ Startups Advised
45+ countries: Direct exposure for business development
Climate Technologies
Climate Technologies
Climate Technologies
More than 13 years of experience in deployment of climate technologies and financing of sustainable infrastructure across Asia, Europe and North America.
Themes: Clean Energy, Electric Mobility, Circular Economy, Blue-economy, Water and Food Systems
Approach: Incisive, Resourceful, Strategic, Holistic
Impact Investing
Climate Technologies
Climate Technologies
Successfully implemented impact initiatives/ projects, programs. Helped more than 50 ventures with product-market fit, GTM Strategies and scaling operations.
Themes: At the intersection of climate issues, gender justice, and economic opportunities for the underserved
~ $450M mobilized for high impact projects.
Academic & professional journey....
CERTIFICATIONS & Trainings
Six Sigma Black Belt (SSBB) and Lean Certification
Chartered Private Equity Professional Certification (CPEP)
Chartered Private Equity Professional Certification (CPEP)
Chartered Private Equity Professional Certification (CPEP)
Chartered Private Equity Professional Certification (CPEP)
Chartered Private Equity Professional Certification (CPEP)
Financial Modeling and Valuation Analysts (FMVA)
Chartered Private Equity Professional Certification (CPEP)
Financial Modeling and Valuation Analysts (FMVA)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Financial Modeling and Valuation Analysts (FMVA)
Change Management
Project Management Professional (PMP)
ESG and Sustainable Finance
ESG and Sustainable Finance
Project Management Professional (PMP)
ESG and Sustainable Finance
Research Assignments/ Advisory Work
Green Hydrogen: Techno-commercial Analysis and Strategic Plan for ReNew Power
Climate Risks in Investment Decisions - A Statistical Analysis for UBS Wealth Management
Climate Risks in Investment Decisions - A Statistical Analysis for UBS Wealth Management
- In-depth study of global technology landscape and cost competitiveness across projects by energy majors.
- An analysis of policies, incentives and financial support offered by different countries and its impact on financial viability of the projects
- Analysis of the opportunity for ReNEW Power: SWOT analysis.
Climate Risks in Investment Decisions - A Statistical Analysis for UBS Wealth Management
Climate Risks in Investment Decisions - A Statistical Analysis for UBS Wealth Management
Climate Risks in Investment Decisions - A Statistical Analysis for UBS Wealth Management
- Country analysis for climate risk & economic growth captured in GDP terms.
- Long term GDP growth forecast using Cobb Douglas Model & Goldman Sachs (2003) Methodology.
- Integrating climate risks in GDP forecast and ranking countries according to climate risk adjusted forecast.
An Analysis of International Green Bonds Market for HSBC Infrastructure Finance
Catalytic Finance - Role of Philanthropies in Energy Transition: GEAPP - Rockefeller Foundation
Catalytic Finance - Role of Philanthropies in Energy Transition: GEAPP - Rockefeller Foundation
- Emerging trends in sustainable finance
- Analysing why 80% of the green bonds market is concentrated in developed world and China
- Understanding reasons behind issues faced by green bonds market in developing and least developed countries.
- Using statistical tools for finding how different factors impact the development.
Catalytic Finance - Role of Philanthropies in Energy Transition: GEAPP - Rockefeller Foundation
Catalytic Finance - Role of Philanthropies in Energy Transition: GEAPP - Rockefeller Foundation
Catalytic Finance - Role of Philanthropies in Energy Transition: GEAPP - Rockefeller Foundation
Analysis of catalytic role of philanthropic finance in mobilizing private capital for energy transition in emerging markets and developing economies.
Comparative analysis of projects in Indonesia, India, and Malaysia by Global Energy Alliance for Planet & People (GEAPP) of Rockefeller Foundation
Extensive international experience & network
Travelled extensively across Asia, Europe and North America. Managed teams in Africa and LATAM for business expansion.
My Blog
Professional Association
Academic & Research Association
Subscribe
This website uses cookies.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.