Investor Forum - 2006

On November 2-3, the first ten New Ventures finalists were recognized as prime investment targets at the first New Ventures India Investor Forum in Mumbai.  The companies presented their business plans to investors and potential partners who operate in the green construction, organic agriculture, clean energy & other green sectors.

New Ventures selected these ten finalists based on their business models to produce eco-friendly goods and services which will offer attractive financial returns to potential investors. These companies are providing solutions in the energy, alternative materials, ecotourism, and agricultural sectors. Out of the ten finalists three were selected as winners by the distinguished panel of judges.

Potential investors at the Forum saw new products and services such as energy-efficient air conditioning systems, rural energy for entrepreneurial clusters, and bio-diesel.  Alternative materials, such as recycled plastic for fashion accessories, coir used in the building sector, bio-degradable cutlery, ecotourism and organic agriculture were also showcased. 

Over 200 participants attended the forum to hear the featured finalists and learn more from panels addressing sustainable investment and business development in India. Corporate and investment leaders spoke on issues like sustainability, socially responsible investments, green supply chain initiatives and entrepreneurial development in India.

The budding entrepreneurs had an opportunity to listen and even interact with some of the speakers and panelists like Mr. Jamshyd N Godrej (Chairman, CII Godrej Green Business Centre), Mr. Somak Ghosh (YES Bank), Mr. S R Rao(EXIM Bank), Mr. Krish Murali Eswar (QAI India Ltd.),Mr. S Sivakumar (Times Private Treaties),Mr. Terry Hart (IT Power India), Ms. Mandakini Raina(SEAF India), Mr. Nandan Maluste (Kotak Mahindra), Mr. Tom Wood(Avalon Consulting), Mr. Sanjay Bhoosreddy(IAS),NEDA, Mr. Param Kannampilly(Kamath Group of Hotels), Dr. R Balakrishnan (NABARD), Dr V Chandrasekhar (ISB), Mr. Chandrasekhar Hariharan(Biodiversity Conservation India Ltd.), Mr. Ajay Kapur(SIDBI Venture Capital), Mr. Mahesh Murthy (Pinstorm India Ltd.), Mr. Arun Diaz (Aavishkaar India Microventures Capital Fund) and others.

Investor Forum was an endeavor to help all the companies in the New Ventures portfolio to pitch their ideas effectively to VC’s and investors. The speakers highlighted the increasing levels of investment in green sectors of emerging economies as well as the growing importance of small businesses that form the economic backbone of emerging countries like India.

© NewVenturesIndia.org - 2007