ITC Business Council – Mr. Vimal Panjwani

Mr. Vimal Panjwani – Member of the Business Council for Sustainability and Environment

 

Mr. Vimal Panjwani is the Founder and CEO of AgriVijay, India’s first curated marketplace and Agtech Climate Action Social Enterprise focused on delivering renewable and green energy products to farmers and rural households. With an emphasis on solar, biogas, thermal, wind, and other green energy solutions, AgriVijay offers products backed by an advisory approach, assessing the specific energy needs and available resources of each client before recommending, financing, and deploying tailored solutions. By leveraging an AI-enabled WhatsApp chatbot, e-commerce platform, call centers in regional languages, and a network of field sales and franchise partners, AgriVijay makes renewable energy products accessible, affordable, and available to India’s rural population. This alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals aims to empower rural households with energy independence, financial savings, and climate action benefits.

 

A first-generation entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in rural agribusiness, Mr. Panjwani holds a B.Tech. in Bioinformatics and an MBA in Agribusiness Management from SIIB, Pune. He has previously held senior roles at Bisleri International, ICICI Bank, and Sony Pictures Networks. Driven by his commitment to impact-driven ventures, he has contributed to several successful startups in the agritech and social impact spaces before founding AgriVijay in 2020 with Ms. Shobha Chanchlani. Today, AgriVijay is a thriving million-dollar enterprise supported by affiliations from organizations including the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India, UNCDF, FICCI, CII, and the Miller Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University.

 

Mr. Panjwani actively contributes to the Sustainability and Environment Business Council and serves on the International Trade Council, focusing on green energy adoption and climate-resilient agricultural practices. His efforts in the industry have been recognized with several accolades, including the EU-TECH SDG Award for ‘No Poverty,’ National Startup Day Award by Lemon Ideas, and the Global SAARC Startup Award as ‘Best Newcomer,’ among others.

 

Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Panjwani acknowledges the rapid evolution of AgriTech in India, particularly in the integration of renewable energy with agriculture. Despite challenges such as limited rural talent, financing constraints, and regulatory complexities, he sees a promising future where sustainable energy solutions will become integral to India’s agricultural sector. Excited about trends like AgriVoltaics, solar-powered cold storage, and the potential of AI and IoT in renewable energy, Mr. Panjwani remains dedicated to driving innovation that uplifts rural livelihoods and fosters environmental stewardship.

 

Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Panjwani is passionate about nature, sustainable living, and lifelong learning. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, reading, and cooking with local organic ingredients. An advocate for youth mentorship, he frequently engages with young entrepreneurs, believing in the transformative power of fresh ideas and perspectives.