Leaders

The emergence of IIT Delhi alumni women leaders in recent years is evidence of the ability of education to create trailblazers who drive industries with creativity and purpose. In industries including technology, business, and sustainability, these women have broken down boundaries and cleared the path for upcoming generations. One such leader is Madhvi Bangur, the CEO of Bangur Energy, who exemplifies the intersection of sustainability and innovation. With a strong passion for environmental responsibility, Madhvi has dedicated her career to bridge the gap between economic growth and environmental stewardship. Coming from a family with a background in raw material procurement for the cement industry, she understands the challenges of balancing business demands with sustainability goals. Motivated by her interest in renewable energy, Madhvi identified the potential of converting agricultural waste into bioenergy and has explored cost-effective solutions to utilize India’s agricultural surplus. Through her leadership at Bangur Energy, Madhvi continues to advocate for a future where development and sustainability coexist, ensuring economic progress without compromising the environment.

In a close interview with us, Madhvi shared with us her inspiring journey and her efforts to bring up her organization.

What role has your Alma Mater IIT Delhi played in shaping you as an individual and professional?

The main focus for me at IIT Delhi was innovation and design thinking. Learning the power of simplicity and user-centric solutions from the great Professor VJ Chariar was a blessing. Most of my peers concentrated on UI/UX, which strengthened our knowledge of intuitive design, a foundational setup that helped me develop a deep interest in bioenergy. The program also provided me with exposure, even through the challenging COVID-19 times, through informal classes at Sundar Nursery. Another thing that I cherished was meeting students from diverse backgrounds with whom I shared a prominent vision. To change that, we must rethink and innovate, which is what the program pushed us to do.

Take us through your work experience in the renewable energy and waste management sector. What are some key areas of expertise that you have developed in the said field?

After seeing the pollution caused by stubble burning in Delhi, I switched from solar to agricultural waste and started my business in 2020. We supply various types of biomass including Paddy, Mustard and Rice Husk in bale formats and also work with briquettes and pellets. We currently provide agro-energy to distilleries, cement plants, brick plants, thermal plants, and packaging companies. We use local fittings to refit coal boilers to biomass, which lowers expenses and makes the process of shifting to agro-waste more affordable, hence lowering reliance on coal. We’ve currently tested and used over 65 types of agricultural residues. I oversee supply chains, marketing, and regulations in my capacity as founder. Our workforce has expanded from four to 92, improving efficiency and logistics.

CEO, what are the key roles and responsibilities you shoulder?

Our organization was created in 2021 to use locally produced, renewable energy to replace coal. My responsibility as CEO is to steer the business's strategic course and guarantee that we provide premium, reasonably priced renewable energy solutions. I'm currently in charge of a project aimed at increasing awareness that will be launched in the coming months. Increasing our nationwide footprint and encouraging innovation among our technical and operational teams are additional duties that fall within my purview. To reach a wide audience with our message about sustainability and biomass energy, I concentrate on forming strategic alliances in both the public and business sectors. By obtaining biomass locally and integrating sustainability into every facet of our business, from packaging to the use of eco-friendly products like water bottles and sustainable plastic, I'm also dedicated to upholding a circular economy.

Can you discuss how you are working with local MSMEs and women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to create opportunities for women?

I work in a labour-intensive field that focuses on giving women chances, especially in rural India. I make sure that at least three out of four office employees are women, even if I have no control over the male-dominated workforce outside. I speak for my organization as a female leader and use forums to talk about women in sustainability. I use my privilege for activism, and I acknowledge it. For instance, I was one of the few women in a large panel of males at a national bioenergy conference in India. To raise awareness and advocate for greater female representation, I also invite women, particularly those from Tier II and Tier III cities, to these kinds of events.

What are some of the most critical challenges you encounter as a young entrepreneur in the Indian renewable energy landscape? What steps do you undertake to overcome these roadblocks?

There will inevitably be difficulties because we are upending established conventions in our sector. I have the extra challenge of not being taken seriously because I'm a younger lady. But my experience is helpful. I took advantage of my father's company's nationwide supply chain for the procurement of raw materials for the cement industry to expand the network and hire more staff. There were operational challenges, but I made it a point to attend every bioenergy-related event to overcome them. Our company was unknown three years ago, but in the past year, I've put a lot of effort into marketing and public relations to increase awareness. People now see a young woman in charge of our business when they hear about it. I've also made sure that the first five individuals a person encounters at our organization are women, primarily young professionals. Even though we work in a male-dominated field, I think we're starting to be acknowledged as stakeholders.

Madhvi Bangur,CEO, Bangur Energy

Madhvi works to close the gap between economic growth and environmental responsibility since she has a strong enthusiasm for sustainability and innovation. She comes from an industrialist family, so she is aware of the difficulties in striking a balance between environmental concerns and industrial advancement.