Varun Desai

About Varun Desai

I work at the intersection of energy transition, deep-tech hardware, and catalytic capital, focusing on the most underfunded segment of the innovation pipeline in IndiaMy work centres on designing and operating non-dilutive and blended-finance platforms that help capital-intensive energy technologies cross the “valley of death” — where laboratory success must translate into durability, manufacturability, and system-level performance.Over the last several years, I have worked closely with startups, national laboratories, academic institutions, philanthropies, and mission-driven investors to:• structure grant, patient capital, and risk-sharing mechanisms• enable industrial pilots and testbeds• evaluate technologies using TRL & ARL-based evidence• build national capability in areas such as clean hydrogen, gas safety systems, and industrial systemsI am particularly interested in institutional models for public risk capital — including fund-of-funds, mission-aligned fund managers, and platform-based deployment vehicles — that can responsibly deploy public and philanthropic capital into failure-prone but strategic technologies.My work is informed by global models such as DOE, ARPA-E, and Fraunhofer, adapted to the Indian context where non-dilutive capital, test infrastructure, and patient deployment pathways are critical gaps.Areas of focus:• Clean hydrogen & Carbon Capture • Energy systems safety technologies • Hardware manufacturing & scale-up risk• TRL-based & ARL-based evaluations • Blended finance

Experience

1. Programme Lead - Energy Leap

   Xynteo

   Oct 2024 — Present

   Designed and operated technology translation platforms supporting capital-intensive climate and industrial technologies at TRL 4–7• Structured non-dilutive, blended-finance, and milestone-linked funding combining grants, philanthropic capital, and strategic industry participation• Worked with national labs, IITs, PSUs, and industrial partners to enable testbeds, pilots, and system-level validation• Led technical and commercial diligence of deep-tech hardware companies (electrolyzers, hydrogen systems, storage, industrial equipment)• Supported startups and consortia in progressing from lab validation to industrial demonstration• Engaged with government agencies, DFIs, and mission programs to align innovation funding with national decarbonisation and energy-security priorities

Education

• Visvesvaraya Technological University

  Bachelor of Engineering (BE), Mechanical Engineering

  2010 — 2014

• MES Pre-University College of Arts, Commerce and Science

  Pre- University Course, Mathematics and Science

  2008 — 2010

• Arizona State University

  Master of Science (MS), Mechanical Engineering

  2014 — 2016

• Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration and Management, General

Skills

• Plc Siemens
• Microsoft Word
• Abaqus
• Testing
• Pro Engineer
• Autocad Mechanical
• Product Design
• Catia
• Finite Element Analysis
• C
• Programming
• Simulations
• Fanuc
• Microsoft Office
• Esi Procast
• Solid Edge
• Engineering
• Research
• Materials
• Cnc Operation
• Machining
• C Prog
• Ansys
• C++
• Mechanical Engineering
• Ptc Creo
• Design of Experiments
• Manufacturing
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Autocad
• Cad
• Matlab
• Solidorks
• Cnc Programming
• Cae
• Solidworks