Vasudha Madhavan: Leading the evolution of climate tech capital

Blending financial acumen with environmental purpose, Vasudha Madhavan is reshaping how capital flows into climate-positive businesses. As the founder and CEO of Ostara Advisors, she is driving the growth of India’s—and now the world’s—climate tech investment landscape

Vasudha Madhavan has built her career on one unwavering belief — that capital can be directed toward climate-conscious businesses without sacrificing commercial success. As the founder and CEO of Ostara Advisors, India’s first boutique investment bank dedicated to new-age, climate-friendly ventures, she has helped redefine how investors view sustainability-driven enterprises.

Her journey has been one of persistence and purpose, shaped by a conviction that the future of finance and the future of the planet must align. “It’s about building confidence — in the idea, in the team, and in the long-term viability of a business that is both profitable and planet-positive,” she says.

Early Interest in Climate and Business

Vasudha’s engagement with sustainability began during her college years. With an academic foundation in environmental sciences and early professional exposure to clean-tech companies, she gained a deep understanding of the scientific side of climate issues. Yet, while working closely with start-ups, she saw a recurring challenge.

“I met brilliant founders with incredible innovations who couldn’t move beyond pilot stages,” she recalls. “The issue wasn’t innovation — it was access to capital.” That realization would shape her career path. Seeing the gap between vision and funding, she set out to build the bridge — helping climate innovators secure serious investment.

Fostering Investor Confidence in India

Her early years were spent mentoring Indian entrepreneurs, refining their business models, and translating their climate missions into investor-ready pitches. “You can have the best idea in the world, but unless you can speak the language of investors, it won’t get funded,” Vasudha says.

Her breakthrough came with a renewable energy start-up that went on to attract large-scale institutional funding — a defining moment that validated her approach. Since then, she has been involved in multiple landmark deals, including the Routematic transaction, a record-setting investment in sustainable mobility.

With more than $125 million in closed transactions, Vasudha and her team at Ostara have positioned themselves as trusted partners for climate-tech ventures across renewable energy, agritech, and sustainable materials. “Back then, climate tech wasn’t even a recognized investment category,” she says. “We had to prove that these were not just passion projects — they were solid, scalable businesses.”

Expanding to Global Capital

As India’s climate-tech ecosystem matured, Vasudha began linking start-ups to global investors. She started advising venture funds, family offices, and development finance institutions exploring climate-positive opportunities in emerging markets.

“Foreign investors were intrigued but cautious,” she explains. “They wanted assurance that these businesses had both impact potential and financial discipline.” To bridge that gap, she ensured that every investment deal incorporated explicit benchmarks for climate performance and governance. “You can’t separate capital from accountability anymore,” she adds.

Her efforts helped Indian founders tap into international funds and simultaneously opened doors for entrepreneurs across Asia and Africa to showcase their models to global investors. “Capital needs to flow to where innovation is solving the toughest environmental problems,” she notes.

Redesigning the Investment Dialogue

One of Vasudha’s most significant contributions has been shifting the narrative around climate-centric businesses. Once viewed as high-risk or marginal, such ventures are now part of mainstream growth discussions. “The perception has changed because we’ve consistently shown results,” she says. “Profitability and sustainability are not opposites — they reinforce each other.”

Entrepreneurs now seek her not just for funding connections but also for strategic insight. “My role has evolved from banker to mentor,” she shares. “I help founders think about scalability, governance, and resilience.”

Investors, too, value her judgment. “They rely on my understanding of which companies have the right mix of discipline, innovation, and market timing,” she says. Through consistent execution, Vasudha has earned the trust of both camps — the capital providers and the innovators.

A Growing Global Role

Today, Vasudha plays a visible role in international investment forums and climate finance policy discussions. She believes the next phase of climate finance must emphasize both scale and responsibility. “We don’t just need more money flowing into the space — we need smarter, more accountable capital,” she emphasizes.

Her long-term vision is to institutionalize investment models where financial growth and environmental sustainability go hand in hand. “The question is no longer Can we make money and do good?” she says. “It’s How do we make money by doing good?”

A Steady Journey

From enabling early-stage Indian start-ups to raise their first rounds of funding to facilitating cross-border capital flows, Vasudha Madhavan’s journey exemplifies the power of sustained conviction. “Trust doesn’t get built overnight — not in investors, not in entrepreneurs, and not in new sectors,” she reflects.

Her work at Ostara Advisors continues to empower companies solving real-world environmental challenges. “Climate tech isn’t a passing trend,” she concludes. “It’s the future of economic growth — one that’s resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.”

Through her blend of strategic finance and sustainability leadership, Vasudha Madhavan is not just supporting the evolution of climate tech capital — she’s shaping its future.