Tejas Kusurkar is out to change the way the world stores energy. As Co-founder of Offgrid Energy Labs, he's leading the charge with ZincGel® – a breakthrough zinc-based battery platform designed to be safer, more affordable, and far more adaptable than the status quo. His goal isn't just to make better batteries – it's to give India and the world a way to leapfrog past lithium dependence, cut reliance on critical mineral imports, and build a clean, inclusive energy future that's made locally and built to last.

With over a decade of taking climate-tech from lab bench to large-scale deployment – and a Ph.D. from IIT Kanpur – Tejas blends scientific precision with the pragmatism needed to solve real-world energy gaps. At Offgrid, he drives the full innovation cycle: from materials research and rapid prototyping to field trials and manufacturing. Under his leadership, ZincGel® has proven its mettle in everything from remote microgrids to grid-balancing projects, thriving in conditions where conventional batteries fail.

Tejas has built strong industry collaborations with utilities, developers, and industrial players, creating iterative feedback loops that keep the technology market-ready and future-proof. He's also forged a local partner ecosystem to de-risk supply chains, bring down costs, and spark domestic innovation – a key step toward India's energy independence.

Beyond the tech, Tejas is a recognised voice in clean-tech policy and innovation circles, pushing for alternative chemistries, localisation of energy infrastructure, and greater energy sovereignty. A former Project Executive Officer at SIIC-FIRST, IIT Kanpur, he has nurtured India's deeptech and biotech ecosystems, mentored early-stage founders, and contributed to global clean-energy dialogues.

For Tejas, every breakthrough isn't about performance metrics but building storage solutions that are technically superior, environmentally just, and accessible to all.

Brindan Tulachan is a scientist, innovator, and entrepreneur whose career bridges medicine, biological sciences, and advanced energy storage. As Co-founder of Offgrid Energy Labs, he is the architect behind ZincGel®, a breakthrough zinc-bromine battery technology that is setting new benchmarks for safe, sustainable, and scalable storage solutions.

Trained as both a medical doctor (MBBS) and a researcher with a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and Bioengineering from IIT Kanpur, Brindan brings a unique multidisciplinary lens to deep science innovation. His doctoral work on "Green Energy from Natural Fibres" set the foundation for his career-long pursuit: harnessing nature-inspired science to solve some of the hardest challenges in clean energy.

At Offgrid, Brindan has led the design and development of ZincGel®, leading R&D, patents, and pilots, securing multiple granted and pending patents along the way. He has built and scaled a multidisciplinary R&D team, overseen everything from electrolyte and electrode formulation to custom machine design for manufacturing, and directed pilot deployments that prove the technology's adaptability across diverse environments. His leadership ensures Offgrid's innovations don't stay in the lab but translate into commercially viable, real-world solutions.

Beyond science, Brindan has worked closely with investors and global partners to secure strategic funding and partnerships, aligning deep IP development with scalable commercialisation. His focus on building cost-efficient, locally manufacturable systems makes ZincGel® not just a breakthrough in chemistry, but a platform for energy independence and resilience.

For Dr. Brindan, every innovation is about turning bold science into practical solutions that move the world closer to a renewable-first, inclusive energy future.

Rishi Srivastava is a technology leader and entrepreneur who's spent his career building businesses, shaping industries, and backing ideas that push boundaries. With over three decades of experience across India, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the US, he's navigated both the boardrooms of global giants and the fast-moving world of startups.

After senior leadership stints at Microsoft, Digital Equipment Corporation, and Xerox – where he also served as an Independent Director for six years – Rishi turned his focus to entrepreneurship and investment. Since 2013, he's been backing and building deep technology ventures across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the US, spanning Big Data, fintech, edtech, and sustainable energy storage. As General Partner at BOV Capital, he helps early-stage founders scale from idea to impact, while also serving on multiple boards worldwide.

Rishi co-founded Offgrid Energy Labs, a deep science company developing next-generation energy storage solutions, at IIT Kanpur. He is deeply involved in building the business strategy for the company and its go-to-market through partnerships towards commercialising ZincGel technology. He is passionate about building Offgrid's talent that pushes the boundaries of innovation in sustainable energy storage.

Rishi's business philosophy is rooted in building long-term value – for companies, for industries, and for communities. Today, he continues to straddle the worlds of innovation, capital, and execution, helping ideas with purpose to find their place in the market.

Ankur Agarwal is a Chartered Accountant, strategic advisor, and entrepreneur who blends two decades of financial expertise with a deep commitment to sustainable innovation. As Co-founder of Offgrid Energy Labs, a deep-tech materials science start-up incubated at IIT Kanpur, he is pioneering next-generation, eco-friendly battery technology to transform global energy storage. At Offgrid, he leads strategic, financial, and regulatory functions, steering the company's mission of driving a sustainable energy future.

Ankur's professional footprint spans sectors such as energy and renewable power, technology, manufacturing, banking, hospitality, and social impact. His global collaborations include working with companies like ENGIE (France), Enel (Italy), Statkraft (Norway), Tower Semiconductor (Israel), Equinor (Norway), and Wyndham Hotels (US), among others.

A strong believer in the role of entrepreneurship and social innovation, Ankur has been actively engaged with the start-up ecosystem for over 12 years. He mentors and advises early- and growth-stage companies, particularly those operating in impact-driven spaces such as human rights, trafficking prevention, and community development. In many cases, he also serves as CFO/advisor, helping mission-led ventures strengthen their financial and governance frameworks.

With core strengths in M&A, cross-border taxation, valuation, regulatory litigation, and digital adoption, Ankur brings both technical depth and strategic foresight to his work. His professional philosophy rests on driving innovation, building resilience, and creating long-term value — for companies, communities, and industries.

Parallel to his entrepreneurial journey, Ankur is Senior Partner at Agarwal Singhania & Co. (ASCO), a New Delhi-based chartered accountancy firm established in 1983. Over the last 20 years, he has advised clients across industries on governance, risk management, taxation, compliance, and business strategy, while also representing them before statutory and appellate authorities in India. His ability to "think like a client" and offer pragmatic, forward-looking solutions has made him a trusted advisor to leading global and domestic organizations.