Kedar Gupta

In 1994, Kedar Gupta co-founded a photovoltaic technology Company, called GT Equipment Technology with a mere $1,000. Although solar technology was in its very early stage, the company slowly blossomed into a large commercial success with global footprint. It became a pioneer in successfully commercializing technologies for producing cost effective polysilicon, multi-crystalline wafer production as well as offering full turnkey equipment and process to the customers all over the world including a major market share in China.

The extraordinary growth of the company led to its IPO in July 2008. Kedar had decided to retire before its IPO as he did not like to be a CEO of a public company.

Kedar co-founded another company (ARC Energy) to improve the technology of large diameter sapphire crystals, used for LED applications. In 2010, then President Obama visited the company to announce his economic plans for small businesses, and touting ARC Energy success as American Entrepreneurism.

From the very beginning Renu Gupta played many critical roles in the growth of both companies. She handled the banking issues, facilities, fund raising and providing numerous other help a start up requires with its limited resources. Renu also supported the management team when Kedar was on oversea trips for weeks at a time.

In 2013, they set up a family run investment arm, called RKS Ventures. After retiring from ARC Energy both continue to invest in many start-ups and work as a team. Their investment ranges from being LP in The Engine (MIT), TechStars, Project 11, One Way Venture etc. They have joined CEVG, TIE-Boston as their active members along with investment into more than 10 startup companies at their critical stages. Both have focused their efforts in mentoring and investing high tech startups.

Renu has a degree in Accounting from Lindenwood Colleges in St. Charles, MO. Before joining GT Solar, she was very active in Southern NH real Estate business where she was well recognized for her entrepreneurship. Kedar Gupta received his Master and Ph.D. degrees in materials science and engineering from State University of New York, Stony Brook, his MBA from Lindenwood Colleges, St. Charles, MO and B. Tech in metallurgy from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur in Metallurgy.

Kedar Gupta is well recognized for his entrepreneurship and is associated with many entrepreneurial activities. He has authored many technical publications and has been awarded numerous patents. Among these include the prestigious 2001 R&D 100 Award for developing Supercritical CO2 for semiconductor applications. Over the years, their companies have received many prestigious awards, such as 1998 New Hampshire High Tech Council Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500 for one of the 500 fastest growing technologies in the US, 2002 NH Exporter of the Year award from the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the 2005 National Small Business Environmental Exporter of the Year award from the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Kedar was also awarded the Businessperson of the Year award from New England Clean Energy in 2005.

Both have been very active in various philanthropic activities both in the USA and India. They have sponsored numerous scholarships through Boys and Girls Club of Nashua, NH, and NH High Tech Council. Both are also involved in various programs to help young children in India with their educational and other needs.