Harry (Himanshu) Kolhekar

Harry "Himanshu" Kolhekar: Innovator and Mentor Driving Sustainable Food Tech Solutions

Harry Kolhekar stands out as an ideal mentor for the FoodTech Tasmania 2024 program. He brings over 12 years of expertise in digital technologies and innovation across the circular economy and fintech sectors 6. His diverse experience aligns perfectly with the program's focus on accelerating food and agri-innovation towards a sustainable world.

As an innovator in the circular economy, Kolhekar is currently spearheading digital initiatives for Australia's largest Container Deposit Scheme, which annually recycles over 1.8 billion containers. This initiative has saved approximately 10.5 Billion litres of water, 2.3 Billion megajoules of energy, 108 million Kg of material from going to landfill and 216 million kgs of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This experience directly relates to the program's emphasis on circular economy solutions and sustainability in the food and agriculture sectors.

Kolhekar's background in food tech is particularly relevant, having played a key role in expanding the retail vertical for DoorDash, one of Australia's leading food delivery platforms. This experience provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of food distribution and retail technologies, which are crucial focus areas for the FoodTech Tasmania program.

His expertise extends to mentoring startups. In 2021 and 2023, Startupbootcamp Australia selected him as a startup mentor for both FinTech and FoodTech startups. This mentorship experience aligns perfectly with the program's goal of supporting early to growth-stage founders in rapidly scaling their companies.

Kolhekar's innovative approach is further evidenced by his achievements in blockchain technology, including reaching the finalist position at the World's Biggest Blockchain Hackathon - Tech Gig Code Gladiator. This expertise in cutting-edge technologies could be invaluable for startups looking to leverage blockchain for supply chain traceability or other food tech applications.

His international experience, including expanding operations in markets like Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka and consulting for global brands, provides a global perspective that can benefit startups aiming for international growth. This aligns with the program's international network and focuses on scaling companies globally.

Kolhekar's innovative mindset is further demonstrated by his contribution to "The PAYTECH Book," where he explored the concept of digital smart programmable money, showcasing his forward-thinking approach to financial technologies. This innovative thinking could be particularly valuable for startups working on fintech solutions within the food and agriculture sectors.

With his unique blend of expertise in circular economy, food tech, fintech, and startup mentorship, Harry Kolhekar is exceptionally well-positioned to guide and inspire the next generation of food and agritech innovators in the FoodTech Tasmania 2024 program.