Vedika Kulkarn is a BITS Pilani (Hyderabad, ‘21) graduate in BE Chemical Engineering, who embodies a unique blend of technical expertise, curiosity, and a passion for exploration. From exploring polymer chemistry at NIMS in Japan to venturing into nanomaterials at IISc Bangalore, Vedika's journey reflects her passion for continuous learning. She transitioned into the world of venture capital, focusing on renewable energy and climate tech, roles that sit at the intersection of innovation and business. She emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and confident, traits that have helped her navigate different environments, from bustling Paris to serene Japanese labs. Through her work and travels, Vedika continues to push boundaries, driven by a commitment to sustainability and a love for the journey of discovery.

What was your college experience like, and how did you spend your first year?

I had never lived away from home for so long, so moving to a new place was exciting. Even though Chemical Engineering wasn’t my first choice, I grew to love the subject. While focusing on academics is important, it is also very important to utilize your first year to explore as many things as you possibly can. I learned a lot and met many interesting people, which I felt was arguably slightly more valuable.

I joined the Department of Technical Arts to learn graphic design and even did some freelance work, which was fun. I designed Journal Club's merch from 2018 to 2021. Being part of TEDx was a highlight—I was the only one from my batch on the speaker curation team, so I got to interact with speakers and help shape their speeches. I also designed a magazine for SARC. I was there the year it was created in BITS Hyderabad! But as time went on, I decided to focus more on academics.

Tell us about your research at NIMS, Japan, and how you got the opportunity to work there.

I pursued a minor in Material Science and was engaged in research during my time at BITS. I mostly worked with Professor Satyapaul Amarthaluri, who I am close with even today, and Professor Chanchal Chakraborty. My goal was to dive deep into materials because I’ve always been passionate about the field. That journey led me to the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan, where my research focused on polymer chemistry.

At NIMS, I worked on drug delivery systems using polymers like PLA and PLGA, which are highly biocompatible and used in biomedical applications. My professor was investigating if these amorphous polymers could be made crystalline and how that might impact their drug delivery capabilities. I spent eight months working on this research, and it was the best time of my life. The facilities, the people—everything was incredible.

I knew from my third year that I wanted to go there, so I cold-emailed professors. Out of around 120 emails, 30-40 were sent to Japan, and one professor finally accepted. Having a good profile helped in making that connection.

What was your research focus at IISc, Bangalore, and how did it compare to your experience in Japan?

I spent about eight months at the Centre for Nanoscience and Engineering at IISc, Bangalore. The campus is beautiful, and the research experience was very different from what I did in Japan. I wanted to explore new areas in material science, so I shifted my focus from polymers to electrical materials.

At IISc, I worked on the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) to create triangular structures. The goal was to understand how these materials could be used, like in sensor applications. I collaborated with other research groups to explore potential applications of what I was working on. This experience broadened my knowledge in materials science and allowed me to gain hands-on experience with new techniques.

What was your time at École Polytechnique, France, like? How did it shape your academic and personal growth?

The École Polytechnique campus reminded me a lot of BITS Hyderabad. It’s far from Paris, surrounded by trees, with a beautiful lake—quiet and a bit secluded, but with plenty of activities.

The courses were a mix of core engineering on renewable energy, management, and even French. The flexibility allowed me to explore everything from carbon capture, wind, and solar energy to management courses like innovation management and business strategy. French and sports were compulsory, so I also did badminton and rowing. They offered French courses to help international students integrate, and they tested our French level to place us in the right classes.

Being in Europe exposed me to so much diversity. I started learning piano after I moved to France, and I fell in love with it. I discovered all these new activities, like rowing and climbing, which I picked up, that I didn’t know people around me did. Paris is incredible—art, galleries, music festivals, you can do it all. Ernest Hemingway once said that living in Paris is the best experience you can have in your 20s.

Can you share more about your internships at École Polytechnique and how they helped you grow in renewable energy?

My master’s was in renewable energy, and the program was structured as six months of courses followed by six months of internships, repeated twice. My first internship was at a climate venture studio called Marble. Venture studios are a blend of incubators and venture capitalists. Marble focused on climate tech, in areas like geothermal and direct air capture. They needed someone with a research background, which is how I got involved.

As a Chemical Engineering Analyst, my role involved evaluating technologies to see if they could be scaled into companies. Marble runs a founder’s program where they find people with strong technical skills and help them build climate tech companies. I scouted for potential people, assisted in building companies, and conducted techno-economic analyses to identify scalable technologies.

Now, I work as an Analyst at ENGIE New Ventures, a corporate venture capitalist. Here, the focus shifted to investing larger sums—1-5 million euros—into start-ups that align strategically with ENGIE, which is an energy company. My job was to find start-ups that fit our investment thesis and prepare deep dives on technologies that could benefit the company.

How have you balanced your passion for research with your newfound interest in business?

 I’ve always tiptoed between management and research. Even in my work at ENGIE, I dealt with climate and energy technologies, which aligned with my research background. My role involved reading tons of research papers to evaluate whether a technology was viable. While I’m more into management now than before, I still love being on the edge of innovation and business, which is why venture capital appeals to me.

I’ve been a bit lucky, but I’ve also been very selective with the opportunities I’ve pursued. Staying close to my passions, particularly in the energy sector, has always been a priority. I believe that when you do what you love, you find more success. For me, it’s been about setting boundaries and not compromising on certain things, like staying in the energy field.

I never had a clear plan. I’ve flip-flopped a lot before figuring out what I want to do—and that still changes every six months. The only clarity I have is that I enjoy what I’m doing right now. It wasn’t about having an epiphany; it was about recognizing the right opportunities and knowing which direction I wanted to move in.

As a woman in tech, did you face any challenges? And was studying abroad always part of your plan?

 Honestly, I’ve been fortunate not to face any significant challenges or discrimination. The people I’ve worked with have always been intentional about empowering women, which is a privilege! Whether it was during my research at BITS, IISc, or in my professional experiences at Marble and beyond, I’ve consistently received support from colleagues, friends, and especially women. Even during my time in Japan, my thesis coordinator checked in on me regularly during quarantine. That is the level of care and support I'm talking about, and I consider myself very lucky.

As for studying abroad, it wasn’t always in my plans. It wasn’t until after IISc that I started considering a master’s or Ph.D. I eventually decided on France, driven by my interest in renewable energy. But honestly, I could have just as easily ended up doing an MBA if things had played out differently!

What advice would you give to our readers, especially those looking to pursue opportunities abroad? And what are your plans for the future?

Good grades show you’ve worked hard, but not having them doesn’t mean you’re not intelligent. That said, maintaining respectable grades is something everyone should strive for. If you can achieve great grades, that’s fantastic. But if you can get decent grades and excel by focusing your time elsewhere, go for it!

I believe the key to finding your place abroad or even in India is to be open-minded and empathetic. Empathy has helped me immensely in navigating different environments. It's crucial to be kind to others and have confidence in yourself. Having faith in your abilities is just as important as being empathetic to the experiences of those around you. Trust yourself and don’t be scared—it can be daunting. Talk to as many people as you can and stay genuinely curious; that’s how you’ll learn the most. Remember, wherever you are, it's because of your hard work.

As for my future, I plan to stay in the energy sector. I love traveling and want to visit as many countries as possible. I’m especially proud to have ticked Japan off my bucket list so early!