Mr. Honish Zaveri is a successful IT professional who started his journey in Angel Investing in the year 2021-22 post Covid. He was and still is an avid reader about the Start-up ecosystem in India. He started with doing small investments in promising early-stage startups to understand Angel Investing process.

Over just 3 years, he has built a portfolio of 10 Startups in sectors like Drones, AI/ML, Quantum Computing, and Consumer Tech. Coming from a technology background, his investment thesis is more focused on Tech B2B startups.

But just investing in startups as a passive investor was not enough for him, and he started thinking about how he could contribute more to the startup ecosystem. He first became a Venture Partner to prominent Angel Funds and Syndicates, scouting startups looking for funding, and successfully helped a Proptech startup based in Pune to raise funds. At that time, he started with the idea of starting his own Angel Investor community/syndicate. So, in January 2024, with just 4 family members to begin with, he started a WhatsApp group named Kiani Ventures. Over 1 year, Kiani Ventures has become a thriving community of 500+ members. Kiani Ventures is now a registered LLP firm and has also received the Startup India Certificate. We have successfully raised funds for Fluttr, a multilingual dating app built for Bharat, and many more success stories are in the pipeline. He is well-connected with the Investor ecosystem in India and regularly connects startups looking for funding with VC funds, Family Offices, and other Institutional Investors.

He is also a visiting faculty at Entrelogy Business School, teaching the subjects of Design Thinking and Angel Investing to the students. He has also successfully diversified Kiani Ventures in offering Pre IPO/ Unlisted Shares to its community members and has facilitated transactions worth more than 1 CR+ within the community.

He is not the person to rest on his laurels. He now plans to connect with Family Offices to help them invest in AIF funds. He is also planning to open an Angel Syndicate in US very soon. Also, he plans to diversify in other asset classes to offer to his Investor community which will help Kiani Ventures to become a full fledge wealth Management Firm.

His inspiring journey exemplifies determination, expertise, and sheer commitment to make India the Startup hub of the world. At IAF, we proudly celebrate him as a visionary leader who is contributing to India’s Startup ecosystem in a big way.

Ms. Sharvari Narendra’s journey towards the field of Bioinformatics started with a Master’s degree in Microbiology from India, followed by a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics from Northeastern University, Boston in the U.S.

During her Master’s in Bioinformatics, she interned at the McLean Hospital, where she studied the effect of alcohol use disorder on genes and pathways in the amygdala region of the brain of female mice. This research led to her first author publication in the Nature journal ‘Translational Psychiatry’. Post graduation, she was a part of a research project that studied how genes implicated in COVID-19 were regulated in different lung cell types across age (from newborns to adults) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The manuscript that has been published on this research in eLife has over 150 citations. She joined BatchX (a bioinformatics start-up) as a Bioinformatics Software Engineer post-UCSD, wherein she developed a 16S pipeline from scratch. This pipeline reduced the analysis bottleneck by 600% and was used by >40% of BatchX clients, helping them in their research.

It was when she started working at the University of Virginia (UVA) as a Bioinformatics Analyst that she found her niche in microbial data analysis and antimicrobial resistance surveillance (with public health impact). She is a part of many ongoing projects, one of the most impactful being the “Ring Trial”. She was very instrumental in helping create, analyze end-to-end and complete the very first “Ring Trial” in the United States, under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Pathogen Genomics Centers of Excellence Network (PGCoE) grant.

This “Ring Trial” aimed to understand how public health laboratories investigate hospital-mediated antimicrobial resistance outbreaks. She was instrumental in identifying significant gaps in bioinformatics analysis, which helped inform best practices. This project led her to win the first prize at the University of Virginia Research Computing Exhibition 2024 in the “Biological Sciences” category. The project was also highlighted in the CDC PGCoE network’s internal and external newsletter, and she presented it at the 2024 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Conference on Rapid Applied Microbial Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatic Pipelines (ASM NGS) as a poster. She is currently involved in creating a second iteration of the “Ring Trial”.

Outside of work, she was invited as a guest speaker to “The Bioinformatics Lab” podcast to share her career journey in Bioinformatics. Given her expertise in Bioinformatics, she had been invited to serve as a judge at the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) as well as serve as a peer reviewer for various manuscripts in many prestigious journals such as “Cancer Cell International”, “PLOS ONE”, “Plant Stress”, “STAR Protocols”. She is currently serving as a mentor in the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Future Leaders Mentorship Fellowship (FLMF) Program.

She is also a member of many well-known and established organizations such as American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the Public Health Alliance for Genomic Epidemiology (PHA4GE), the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists’s (AOAC) Stakeholder Program on Agent Detection Assays (SPADA) Metagenomics Working Group and the Open Science Data Repository’s (OSDR) ‘Microbes’ Analysis Working Group (AWG).

Aside from Bioinformatics, she is passionate about being a part of social organizations that make a difference in the world with science and research. To that end, she is serving as a member and a secretary of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Subcommittee on the Status of Women in Microbiology (SSWiM). She has also been crucial in writing two books on cancer: “Genetic Testing: A Game-Changer In Breast Cancer Management, by Laleh Busheri (2023)” and “Triumph Over Breast Cancer: Odysseys Of Phenomenal Women, by Laleh Busheri (2018)”, and was a co-editor of the blog “Science for Society” published in 2019

With over a decade of distinguished experience in Human Capital Management (HCM), Mrs. Anusha Atluri has emerged as a leading authority, seamlessly integrating technical prowess with functional expertise. Their comprehensive understanding of HCM systems and proficiency in Oracle Integration Cloud (OIC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have driven groundbreaking advancements in the field.

Throughout her career, she has spearheaded transformative initiatives that have redefined HR processes. By developing and implementing AI-driven solutions, they have enhanced operational efficiency, elevated employee experiences, and optimized workforce management. Her adeptness in configuring and customizing HCM modules, coupled with the integration capabilities of OIC, has enabled organizations to navigate complex challenges with agility and precision.

A hallmark of her contributions is her pioneering work in leveraging AI to analyze workforce data, providing actionable insights that inform strategic decision-making. Her innovative approaches have not only streamlined talent acquisition and retention strategies but have also set new benchmarks for predictive analytics in human resources.

Beyond her technical achievements, she is a visionary leader committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. She has mentored cross-functional teams, promoting knowledge sharing and driving collective success. Her dedication to staying at the forefront of technological advancements ensures that the organizations they serve are equipped with cutting-edge solutions tailored to their unique needs.

Her unparalleled contributions to the HCM domain have garnered recognition from industry peers and thought leaders. As they continue to explore the transformative potential of AI and integration technologies, she remains steadfast in her mission to revolutionize human capital management practices, driving organizational excellence and fostering a more connected and efficient workplace.

Growing up in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, Mr. Abdul Samad Mohammed was fascinated by how technology could solve complex problems. This curiosity led him to pursue a master’s in computer science in the USA, where he graduated with a 3.7 GPA. He specialized in advanced operating systems, distributed systems, web development, and automation. His academic rigor laid the foundation for his career in ensuring systems are fast, reliable, and scalable. 

He is a seasoned professional with over 12 years of rich experience in Platform Engineering and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE). Throughout my career, he has been passionate about building robust and scalable systems that empower businesses to deliver exceptional user experiences.

Platform Engineering Expertise: With a deep understanding of cloud-based platforms and modern infrastructure technologies, he has successfully architected and implemented highly available, resilient, and cost-effective systems. His focus on automation and continuous improvement has led to increased operational efficiency and minimized downtime for critical applications.

Site Reliability Engineering (SRE): As an advocate of SRE principles, he has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between development and operations teams. His approach centers around enhancing system reliability, monitoring, and incident response, thereby ensuring smooth operations in high-pressure environments.

DevOps and CI/CD: he is well-versed in implementing DevOps practices and establishing CI/CD pipelines to streamline the software delivery process. His dedication to reducing deployment cycles and increasing code quality has significantly accelerated product development.

Team Leadership and Collaboration: Over the years, he has honed his leadership skills, effectively managed cross-functional teams, and fostered a culture of collaboration. He thrives in dynamic work environments, driving cohesive efforts towards shared goals and encouraging professional growth within the team.

Problem Solver: His analytical mindset and attention to detail enable him to identify potential bottlenecks and proactively address challenges. He thrives in complex problem-solving scenarios, devising innovative solutions that have a positive impact on business outcomes.

He is committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, constantly seeking opportunities to learn and grow. As a natural team player, he finds immense satisfaction in mentoring and guiding colleagues to achieve their full potential.

Dr. Sreeram Mullankandy stands as a distinguished figure at the intersection of medicine, technology, and business innovation. His remarkable journey from a Gold Medal-winning physician to a pioneering healthcare technology leader exemplifies the transformative impact one visionary can have on global healthcare delivery.

His academic excellence began at Amrita School of Medicine, where he earned the Gold Medal of Excellence in Arts while completing his medical degree. This foundation was further strengthened at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, where he was honored as a Dean’s Achievement Scholar with a $70K merit-based scholarship, demonstrating his exceptional leadership potential.

His groundbreaking work across prestigious organizations evidences his professional impact. At Elumina Health, as Director of Product Management & Clinical Quality, he pioneered a Generative AI-Powered Data Extraction System that achieved a 20% improvement in operational efficiency. His innovation at Biofourmis Inc. led to the enhancement of AI-driven remote patient monitoring systems deployed at the Mayo Clinic, improving sensitivity by 20% and reducing clinician alert fatigue by an impressive 95%.

His thought leadership is reflected in his extensive publication portfolio, including 10+ peer-reviewed journal articles in prestigious publications, focusing on cutting-edge topics such as AI applications in healthcare and remote health technologies. He has presented critically reviewed conference papers at prominent forums, addressing crucial topics like AI in electronic health records and mitigating hallucinations in large language models. His industry influence extends through 8+ articles published in leading magazines, including Towards AI, AI Advances, and Agile Insider.

Numerous prestigious awards and honors recognize his expertise. In addition to his academic accolades, he received the Clinic Without Walls (CWoW) Award at DaVita and the Spark Award & Arc Certification of Excellence at Humana. His team’s innovation earned Third Place at the MIT Grand Hack (2021), competing against 4,000+ global participants. His selection for the Hive Global Leaders Program (Harvard Edition, 2017) further validates his leadership capabilities.

His impact extends beyond corporate achievements. As a judge and mentor for global startup accelerators, including MassChallenge, Techstars, and MIT Launch X, he has evaluated hundreds of startups across industries. His expertise is certified through over 20 professional credentials from institutions like Stanford and MIT Sloan, including specialized certifications in AI, project management, and healthcare innovation.

His technical innovations have consistently delivered measurable results: a 15% reduction in adverse outcomes through AI-based risk stratification, 67% improvement in efficiency through IT modernization at Humana, and the successful launch of the BK3500 ultrasound system at Analogic Corporation, generating $50M in revenue.

As a member of prestigious organizations including the Forbes Technology Council, IEEE (Senior Member), and the Coalition of Health AI (CHAI), he continues to shape the future of healthcare technology. His work exemplifies the powerful combination of medical expertise, technological innovation, and business acumen, making him a transformative force in global healthcare delivery.

This recognition by the International Achievers Award acknowledges not just his achievements but also his lasting contribution to healthcare innovation and his commitment to improving patient outcomes through technological advancement.

Capt. Indraani Singh Grewal’s journey is one of remarkable vision, grit, and impact. Breaking barriers in aviation, she became the world’s first woman commander on the Airbus-300 in 1995, establishing herself as a pioneer in a traditionally male-dominated field. But her most transformative flight has been on the ground—empowering communities across India through education, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

With over 33 years in aviation and an unwavering commitment to social impact, she founded Literacy India in 1996, which has since impacted over 975,000 lives and engaged 4.7 million individuals through multifaceted programs focused on education, skill development, and digital inclusion.

She is not just a social innovator—she is a creative force and a changemaker. As a photographer, sustainable craft designer, and entrepreneur, she has enabled over 3.1 lakh grassroots entrepreneurs and empowered more than 10,000 rural women through her initiative Indha, blending traditional crafts with contemporary markets.

Her contributions to digital education and experiential learning are game-changing. From GyanTantra–Digital Dost, which is transforming how children learn, to the Vidyapeeth–Pathshala–Gurukul continuum, which nurtures real-world problem-solving and changemaking in youth, her vision integrates technology, creativity, and purpose. In collaboration with Code.org, Literacy India is also building the next generation of coders across its centres.

Beyond education, she is a passionate advocate for sustainability and corporate social responsibility, having developed scalable CSR engagement models, renewable energy solutions, and waste recycling innovations that reflect her deep environmental consciousness.

She has been featured on the cover of California’s Women Achievers Magazine and honoured with prestigious accolades, including the Limca Book of Records, Godfrey Phillips Bravery Award, Power to Empower Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Congress of Women.

She is celebrated not only for her pioneering spirit but also for her transformative leadership, inclusive innovation, and her relentless drive to empower individuals to build a better, more equitable India. As a proud recipient of the Indian Achievers Award, she exemplifies how one visionary can redefine both the skies and the soul of a nation through purpose-driven innovation and lifelong service.