Dhanashri is a seasoned leader with over 17 years of experience in Banking, Financial Services, and FinTech, driving 0 to 1 journey and large-scale initiatives that have led to business turnarounds, resource optimization, and profitable growth. She is passionate about fostering innovation; Dhanashri has mentored start-ups and product enthusiasts, guiding them in solution generation and product adoption strategies.
In an exclusive interview with Finance Outlook India, Dhanashri underscores how women leaders are shaping climate-conscious capitalism.
Why there is an imperative need for green-only NBFC, and how does it address the gaps in climate finance?
India needs $2.5 trillion by 2030 to meet its climate goals, including the pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. In emerging economies like India, green-only NBFCs play a crucial role because traditional banks often don't cater to sectors that require specialized climate financing.
At Ecofy, India’s first green-only NBFC, we have seen that small and medium enterprises working in green sectors often struggle to get credit. This is because traditional lenders use evaluation methods that don’t fully recognize the unique value and growth potential of climate-positive businesses.
Under 4°C warming, the west coast and southern India are projected to shift to new, high-temperature climatic regimes with a significant impact on agricultural output. As much as 90 percent of India lies in extreme heat danger zones, climate change is an important driver of urban inequality in many cities. In our megacities, asphalt, and cement trap the heat, worsening water scarcity by preventing percolation of rainfall into the soil and depleting groundwater levels.
Green-only NBFCs focus solely on financing assets that benefit the environment. Projects in renewable energy and electric mobility, for example, often need flexible financing that allows for longer payback periods and variable cash flow needs that traditional loans usually don’t meet.
Furthermore, it is important to help fill this gap by using customized credit assessment models and real-time data to better understand the risks and potential of green businesses. This allows us to support sustainable enterprises more effectively and accelerate the shift to a greener economy.
How do impact-driven lending products like bundled EV financing and green credits contribute to carbon savings and sustainability?
Devising impact-driven lending solutions that focus on delivering both environmental benefits and financial returns is imperative, today. Lening products should help cut carbon emissions by over 25,102 tonnes across four key areas — EV 2W, EV 3W, Rooftop Solar, and SMEs. These measurable outcomes offer clear, transparent value to investors and stakeholders.
Electric vehicles produce far less CO₂ than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. By offering easy EMI options and innovative solutions like Leasing and Battery-as-a-Service, we lower the upfront cost, helping more people and businesses switch to cleaner transport. Many lenders, including Ecofy, use IoT and data-driven tools to track and report carbon savings in real-time. Combining green credits with financing, lenders are creating a verifiable system for reducing emissions, further supporting the shift to a low-carbon future.
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
Some of the significant hurdles for women involve their exclusion from crucial networking opportunities and their inability to inspire confidence among investors. Overcoming them has required a deliberate two-pronged approach. On one hand, I have made it a priority to proactively engage in professional networks, openly share my journey, and amplify the visibility of women-led ventures. This not only builds credibility but also creates a supportive ecosystem for others to follow. On the other hand, there is a pressing need for structured, state-backed platforms that specifically support women through mentorship, funding access, and visibility, so we aren’t just entering the room, but shaping the conversation within it.
How does building a culture of inclusion and empathy-led teams enhance the success of an impact-driven startup?
Building a culture of inclusion and empathy-led teams significantly enhances the success of an impact-driven startup by unlocking innovation, strengthening collaboration, and driving long-term sustainability. An inclusive organizational culture provides a strong business edge, particularly for startups focused on creating meaningful impact. Diverse teams bring a wider range of experiences, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches, leading to more creative and effective solutions to complex challenges.
Fostering inclusivity in the workplace creates a ripple effect. First, it ensures the full spectrum of available talent is utilized, promoting equitable representation of both men and women. Second, inclusive environments empower individuals to contribute meaningfully, often extending their positive influence beyond the workplace and into the broader community. Third, the integration of varied perspectives encourages creativity, fuels innovation, and builds resilient teams capable of adapting to a dynamic world.
What strategies are used to leverage low-cost global climate capital for scaling lending in underserved sectors?
Players in the realm of finance should tap into low-cost global climate capital by offering a fully digital, green-only lending platform that finances electric vehicles, rooftop solar, and energy-efficient solutions. By focusing only on climate-positive assets and using technology to verify end use, monitor asset performance, and track carbon impact in real-time, one can give global investors the transparency and confidence they need. Our digital platform-led model allows us to scale quickly across underserved markets without the need for physical branches. This makes it easy to deploy large volumes of affordable climate capital efficiently while keeping costs low and impact high.
What does the future of a fully digital, climate-aligned NBFC look like, and how can it redefine climate-conscious capitalism?
The future of a fully digital, climate-aligned NBFC tends to be simple, smart, and sustainable. These types of players can leverage technology to make green financing easy, fast, and accessible, whether it’s for EVs, solar systems, or energy-efficient solutions. Every loan that is offered helps cut carbon emissions and build a cleaner future. By linking growth with impact, we are shaping a new kind of capitalism – one that benefits both people and the planet.
