Our speakers

Rakesh Sony, Director, Black River Food Fund

Rakesh is Director at the Private Equity arm of Black River Asset Management. The PE funds currently manage close to $2.0 billion across the food, agriculture, metals & mining sectors.

Black River Food Fund makes growth equity investments in three food industry sectors: protein production, value-added food processing and supply chain management. We believe that the continued urbanization of emerging markets, an expanding middle class, shifting dietary preferences toward protein consumption, and the increased importance of safe, high-quality food are trends that will drive long-term growth in these sectors. We invest in leading producers/processors with forward-thinking managers who can scale rapidly and efficiently, implement food safety/quality systems, and manage risk throughout the value chain. Our geographic mandate is global emerging markets with a focus on emerging markets in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Rakesh has over 15 years of experience. Prior to Blackriver, he was the partner at Motilal Oswal PE, a sector agnostic mid market fund. At Motilal, Rakesh has made multiple investments in the food sector including Parag Milk Food and Mrs Bectors Food Limited.

Rakesh Verma, Founder and Chairman, MapmyIndia

Rakesh Verma, Managing Director, MapmyIndia

n 1994, Rakesh pioneered the digital maps and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) industry by setting out on a mission to digitally map out India. And since 2004, MapmyIndia has revolutionized the consumer navigation market in India by releasing innovative products and services, starting with the internet portal MapmyIndia.com and recently launching in-car and mobile phone GPS navigation.

In 1990, Rakesh quit a successful career with General Motors in the US to return to India, and co-founded CE Info Systems with his wife, Rashmi. In 1993, he was exposed to the emerging field of GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and recognized the potential benefits of GIS to businesses, the government and individual people. Armed with this foresight and a desire to participate in India's development, Rakesh led MapmyIndia's pioneering effort in creating a complete digital map of India. The effort was started from scratch because no digital maps were available for India at that time. Today, MapmyIndia is a leader in the Indian mapping and navigation space, with the most comprehensive and accurate repository of digital map data for India.

Rakesh was recently appointed as a member to the Government of India's Committee on Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

Rakshat Kapoor, Partner - Private Debt, Centrum Alternatives

Rakshat Kapoor has over 18 years of experience in structured credit. He is responsible for the overall strategy and investments in the credit business. Prior to joining Centrum, he was with Nomura Securities where he worked in Private Credit, Debt Capital Markets and Investment Banking Divisions. Prior to that, he was with Deutsche Bank’s structured credit investments and ICICI Bank’s structured finance team. He has worked on turnaround situations & restructurings, distressed debt and private equity. He has led investments across industries – infrastructure, cement, industrials, manufacturing, textiles, oil & gas and telecom and his experience includes origination and providing customized financial solutions across the capital structure. Rakshat received his Chartered Accountancy from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from Delhi University.

Rakshat Kapoor, Fund Manager & Chief Investment Officer, Modulus Alternatives Investment Managers Limited

Rakshat Kapoor has over 20 years of experience in private credit. He has worked on numerous private credit transactions ranging from turnaround situations and restructurings, distressed debt and private equity. Having led investments across industries – healthcare and pharmaceuticals, consumer, capital goods and industrials, he specializes in providing customised financial solutions to corporates across the capital structure.

Prior to joining Modulus Alternatives, Rakshat was with Nomura Securities working exclusively in the private credit and debt capital markets and in the investment banking divisions. He has also worked with Deutsche Bank, in the private credit investments team as well as in ICICI Bank's structured finance division.

A qualified Chartered Accountant from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Rakshat has done his graduation from Delhi University. He has keen interest in reading especially history and International Relations.

Rakshat Kapoor, Head - Private Credit & Chief Investment Officer, Modulus Alternatives Investment Managers Limited

Rakshat Kapoor leads the private credit strategy for funds under management by Modulus Alternatives. He founded Modulus Alternatives in September 2018 and has established a stable private credit investment platform.

With over 22 years of experience, Rakshat has specialized in turnaround situations, restructurings, distressed debt, and private equity. He has led investments across diverse sectors, including infrastructure, cement, industrials, manufacturing, textiles, oil & gas, and telecom. His expertise lies in deal origination and providing customized financial solutions across the capital structure.

Prior to founding Modulus Alternatives, Mr. Kapoor worked with Nomura and Deutsche Bank, focusing on private credit and debt capital markets. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant. 

 

Ralph Keitel, Chief Investment Officer, Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets

Ram Chandnani, Managing Director Advisory & Transaction Services India, CBRE

Ram Chandnani leads the Advisory and Transaction Services business at CBRE India and has been associated with the firm since 1997. In his present capacity, Ram is responsible for developing execution strategy, and enabling growth in India. He also provides executive oversight for the A&T vertical in India.

With over 23 years of experience in the real estate sector, Ram is considered a trusted advisor and partner to various multinational and Indian corporates. Having multi-disciplinary exposure, he has worked with clients across industries and asset classes, assisting them with their realty strategies, ensuring optimum and well-informed decisions. Many occupiers have benefited through his expertise and approach in advising, complex leasing, dispositions, Built-to-Suit, land and investment transactions, and consolidation strategy.

Through his tenure at CBRE, he has seen the vertical evolve and grow into one of the largest businesses for CBRE in India.

Ram is an acknowledged real estate expert, and is well known for his relationships with occupiers, developers and investors across the country. With the evolving India market, he continues to be engaged in providing global occupiers insight into uncovering opportunities in India.

Ram is the Co-Chair for CoreNet, Global in India and an active participant in the industry ecospace across realty forums like RICS.

Ram holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Christ University, Bangalore.

Ram Gollamudi, Founder & CEO, Edutor Technologies India Pvt. Ltd.

Ram has over 14 years of experience in technology - hardware systems, embedded software. He has worked in multiple technology companies - as an Engineer as well as an Investor. His last stint as a Venture Capitalist in California helped him gain a perspective into how real-life challenges can be addressed using technology. A strong believer in the power of personal learning, he took on the challenge of helping millions of Indian kids discover and learn more.

Ram has an MBA from University of California Los Angeles, an MS from Iowa State University and a B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

Ram Gopal, CEO, Barclays Bank India