Founder and MD S Viswanatha Prasad elevated to Chairman of the Caspian Debt Board
Avishek Gupta to be Managing Director & CEO of Caspian Debt.
Caspian Debt promoted by Caspian Advisors, a leading Impact investing firm founded by S Viswanatha Prasad, today announced a major transition. Caspian Debt is a leading provider of debt funding to start-ups and social enterprises and has lent over INR 2000 Crores to over 170 companies since inception. These companies work in high-impact sectors such as clean technologies, healthcare, food and agri, financial inclusion, education, and technology for development.
National, 12 January 2022: As Caspian Debt turned 8 this year, it ushered a new era by elevating Mr. Viswanatha Prasad as the Board Chair. Viswanatha Prasad, after a stellar career in financial sector, pioneered impact investment in India by setting up first domestic equity fund for investing in Microfinance in India called Bellwether Microfinance Fund and followed that up with India Financial Inclusion Fund and Caspian SME Impact Fund, all of which made early investments in several market leading financial institutions and start-ups. Caspian Debt was set up to fill the gap for non-dilutive funding available for first generation entrepreneurs. Announcing the transition, Prasad said, “I am pleased to hand over reins of Caspian Debt to Avishek Gupta, who has been with us for over 7 years. As Investment Director, Avishek has spearheaded our foray into newer sectors, products and made data and technology central to our growth and risk management. I believe under able leadership of Avishek, Caspian Debt will continue its journey of achieving responsible growth with impact”.
Avishek Gupta, who is designated as MD & CEO of Caspian Debt has formally taken over in December. Avishek brings with him several years of experience in financial services. He has been instrumental in setting up Caspian’s start-up and social enterprises lending business and has brought in a huge thrust for digitalisation. Avishek said “I am thankful for the trust which Prasad and the Caspian Debt Board has placed on me. It is a privilege to lead the company through the next phase of its evolution, under the able direction of a stellar board and Prasad. Caspian Debt has always put the entrepreneurs at the centre of all its activities and this practice will continue with more agility and responsiveness as we bring in higher level of digitalisation and innovation in our offerings.”
Narayan Ramachandran, Director of Caspian Debt and former Country Head of Morgan Stanley, India said “I would like to congratulate Prasad and Avishek for taking on these new roles. I have been chairing Caspian Debt’s board for last 3 years and have always been impressed with their attention to detail, focus on quality and strong governance practices. I wish Avishek and Caspian Debt team the very best as they move forward with their growth and digitalisation plans.”
Narayan will continue to be on the board and Chairman of the Audit Committee.
