Founding Leadership

An entrepreneur and researcher, Varun Aggarwal is passionate about building science. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Delhi and later his master’s degree at MIT. He cofounded Aspiring Minds in 2008. His work has led to the world’s first machine-learning-based assessment of coding skills and the world’s first automated motor skills assessment. Varun is a promoter and an advocate of data science. In conjunction with colleagues, he runs ML India to build India’s data science ecosystem, and has organized the world’s first data science camp for children.

Anna Agarwal does research in the field of sustainable energy transitions, with a focus on shaping low-carbon pathways for India’s growing energy needs. Her work brings together research and policy to advance solutions for a more sustainable future.

She holds a PhD and a Master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an undergraduate degree from IIT Delhi.

Ashish Dhawan is a private equity investor turned philanthropist who founded and ran one of India’s leading private equity funds, ChrysCapital. He is passionate about transforming the science and technology ecosystem in India. Ashish is the chairperson of Ashoka University, a leading liberal arts university in India, and Central Square Foundation, a nonprofit foundation working towards quality education for all children in India. Ashish graduated from Yale University and received his MBA from Harvard Business School. He is also on the India Advisory Board of Harvard and a member of Yale’s Development Council.

Mr. Ashish Dhawan is recognized as Co-Founder in an honorary capacity for his pivotal role in shaping FAST’s mission. He is not a trustee and does not hold fiduciary responsibility.