Puja Balachander

Puja Balachander is an accomplished leader in venture development, social impact, and product innovation. She currently serves as Director of Venture at Carbon13, where she has been driving climate-focused venture development for over two years. Prior to this, she led the Venture Launchpad at Carbon13 and founded UpGreen, a part-time initiative focused on environmental sustainability. She also provides tech and product strategy consulting through Trestle Collaborative, supporting progressive movement organizations.

Previously, Puja served as Director of Product at Think of Us, where she built and scaled products that supported families. She was also Founder and CEO of Devie, a digital parenting coach acquired by Think of Us. Her earlier roles include innovation consulting for the World Bank, service design at the City of Austin, and design strategy for the White House Presidential Innovation Fellows. Puja holds deep expertise in human-centered design, social innovation, and venture strategy, making her a versatile and impactful leader in both the public and private sectors.

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• Carbon13, Director of Venture: Oct 2023 – Present (1 yr 6 mos)
• Carbon13, Head of Venture Launchpad: Oct 2022 – Oct 2023 (1 yr 1 mo)
• UpGreen, Founder: Jan 2024 – Present (1 yr 3 mos)
• Trestle Collaborative, Tech strategy, product, design consultant: Jan 2022 – Present (3 yrs 3 mos)
• Think of Us, Director of Product: Mar 2021 – Oct 2022 (1 yr 8 mos)
• New America, Learning Sciences Exchange Fellow: Jun 2020 – Sep 2022 (2 yrs 4 mos)
• Devie, Founder/CEO: Nov 2018 – Mar 2021 (2 yrs 5 mos)
• City of Austin, Service Design and User Research Lead: Feb 2018 – Aug 2018 (7 mos)
• World Bank Group, Innovation Consultant: Jan 2017 – Mar 2018 (1 yr 3 mos)
• White House Presidential Innovation Fellows, Design Strategist: Jun 2015 – Jan 2017 (1 yr 8 mos)
• USAID, ICTs for Education Intern: Sep 2015 – May 2016 (9 mos)
• The Akanksha Foundation, Education Intern: Oct 2014 – Dec 2014 (3 mos)
• Ashoka, American Express Emerging Innovators Bootcamps and Campaign Intern: Jan 2014 – May 2014 (5 mos)
• American University Social Enterprise Program, Outreach Intern: Jan 2014 – May 2014 (5 mos)
• American University Social Enterprise Program, Undergraduate Assistant: Jan 2014 – May 2014 (5 mos)
• American University Social Enterprise Program, Vice President: Aug 2013 – May 2014 (10 mos)
• Community Service Coalition, Publicity Coordinator: Feb 2013 – Mar 2014 (1 yr 2 mos)
• School of International Service, Mentor: May 2013 – Oct 2013 (6 mos)
• The Global Sleepover, Research Analyst: Jan 2013 – May 2014 (1 yr 5 mos)
• AidGrade, Database Intern: Sep 2013 – Dec 2013 (4 mos)
• Institute of International Education, International Visitor Leadership Program Intern: May 2013 – Aug 2013 (4 mos)
• Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY), Administrative Intern: Jun 2011 – Aug 2012 (1 yr 3 mos)

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