Balakrishnan Iyer

Balakrishnan G. Iyer (Balki) is a seasoned energy industry management professional, with rich experience and a proven track record of driving business growth in global conglomerates (i.e. GE) and startups. Balki has successfully steered three startups from inception to exit and helped list one of them in NASDAQ, with investments from some of the largest utilities and financial investors worldwide. He has global experience, having worked in Asia, Europe and North America with excellent customer, employee and investor relationships. He is currently the Founder & Chairman of Bridge Green Upcycle, a lithium-ion battery upcycling company that is on the mission to ‘Clean up Clean Energy’. Bridge Green is revolutionizing the upcycling of lithium-ion batteries using state-of-the-art process technology & AI-enabled software to promote a circular economy of critical minerals.

Balki previously served as the Chief Commercial Officer at e-Zinc – a company on a mission to accelerate the shift to clean energy with sustainable, long-duration solutions that transform how the world stores power. Prior to that, he was the Chief Commercial Officer at Eos Energy Storage, who is on a mission to accelerate the shift to clean energy, by leading their commercial activities and establishing their U.S. Gigafactory. He also co-founded Utopus Insights (a New York-based global renewable energy analytics company, acquired by Vestas), BLP (a wind & solar power producer acquired by Enel), and SBSS (a behind-the-meter diesel abatement solar company acquired by Statkraft). He is a firm believer in beneficial electrification, renewable energy generation, and the circular economy being key aspects of sustainable development. Balki began his career at Schlumberger and previously served as VP, Business Development at GE, where he drove technological developments for renewable energy and smart grids.

Balki earned a master’s in engineering from Binghamton University in New York, an MBA from New York University (NYU) Stern, and Joint Undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering & master’s in chemistry from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) in India. In 2019, Balki was conferred with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science by his alma mater, Binghamton University, for his contributions to the fields of sustainable energy and inclusive education. He is Six Sigma Black Belt Certified.

A prolific speaker at global conferences, Balki is passionate about the role of clean energy in changing the world and the role of education in empowering the people who can change the world! His business and entrepreneurial pursuits over the past decade have been guided by this passion. Balki is on the Board of INK, a TED-like platform in India that promotes inspiring ideas by game-changers and a member of the State University of New York, Binghamton Alumni Board. Balki sat on the Executive Board for GE’s Asia Pacific American Forum, a diversity group focused on mentoring Asian American business leaders. As someone who believes in making a positive community impact through education, Balki co-founded the Stepping Stones Center for Children, which serves hundreds of children over the past decade, with the mission to offer inclusive learning opportunities for children with autism. He is also a recipient of the prestigious ‘Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business’ award in 2017 and got listed in the ‘Top 100 North American Power List 2020’.