Atanu Agarrwal

Atanu Agarrwal is a second-time founder and the Co-founder & CEO of Distil. He previously built Upside AI into one of India’s leading quant-based asset management companies, achieving peak assets under management of INR ~100 crore and delivering top-decile fund performance in 2021 under SEBI’s highly regulated PMS regime. With nearly a decade of experience in New York at Vedanta Capital, a $1B+ multi-strategy fund, Atanu has invested in and scaled businesses across financial services, telecom, media, and education. He led investment theses, due diligence, deal sourcing, and organisational design, including hiring senior leadership, defining strategy, and overseeing exits. Atanu brings deep expertise in global capital markets, having raised approximately $160 million through NASDAQ IPOs and managing portfolio exits exceeding $500 million via SPACs, IPOs, and secondary sales. He began his career at Credit Suisse. A graduate of IIT Bombay, Atanu holds a dual degree (B.Tech + M.Tech) in Materials Engineering.

Session Overview

Thursday, 6 November

10:40

Downstream & Chemical ICC Hall B 10:40 - 11:00

OEM-driven innovation: unlocking future growth through specialty chemical investments

As demand patterns shift across end-use sectors, chemical companies are moving from high-volume commodities to high-value specialty chemicals tailored to specific applications. This transition is being driven by the need for performance, regulatory compliance and sustainability, particularly in industries such as automotive, electronics and personal care. To remain competitive, producers are developing solutions that meet precise material and functional specifications through strategic collaborations with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The location of new OEM facilities is also becoming a key factor, shaping where next-generation specialty chemical investments are directed. At the same time, the segment continues to be highly research and development (R&D) intensive. While the current landscape may pose barriers for smaller players as established OEMs continue to shape the direction of innovation and investment, it also opens the door for startups offering novel materials, processes and technologies. As these dynamics evolve, the ability to achieve both speed and scale will be critical - potentially redefining the competitive edge for future chemical producers and reshaping how the industry approaches sustainable transformation.

Attendee insights:

Explore how OEM collaborations are driving tailored innovation, guiding investment locations and opening space for startup-led breakthroughs in specialty chemicals.