FLAME Investment Lab
Alumni Reunion
01 - 03 August, 2025
ABOUT THE FLAME INVESTMENT LAB
FLAME was founded with the concept of interdisciplinary education as its cornerstone. FLAME celebrates ideas, cherishes diversity, and strives to deliver an academic experience that fosters intellectual curiosity, a critical thought process, self-reflection, leadership and teamwork skills, a sense of commitment and professionalism and a heightened sensitivity to one’s sociocultural environment. FLAME aims to provide an interdisciplinary platform of education by propagating different models and paradigms through, but not limited to, history, philosophy, political sciences, psychology, business, economics, mathematics and finance.
As part of its endeavor to constantly redefine education, FLAME inducted the FLAME Investment Lab (FIL), an initiative that strives to deliver the concepts and decipher the art of value investing to interested students. FIL believes in the dictum “invest in yourself”. It provides tools for self learning and acquiring knowledge, constantly striving for intellectual stimulation and asking questions. FIL strives to widen your horizons, aiding you to connect the dots within seemingly disparate information. FIL truly believes that the best investment is investing in yourself. As Socrates has said, “I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.”
After successfully hosting multiple FLAME Investment Lab programs, we are excited to announce the ‘FLAME Investment Lab – Alumni Reunion’ from August 01 - August 03, 2025.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
FLAME Investment Lab (FIL) is a residential programme, structured keeping in mind our conviction that value investing is the only proven successful investment process that has delivered above market returns through various market cycles. It provides investors with various tools needed to form a temperamentally sound investment discipline.
It is an initiative that strives to deliver the concepts and decipher the art of value investing to interested students. FIL believes in the dictum “invest in yourself”. It provides tools for self-learning and acquiring knowledge, constantly striving for intellectual stimulation and asking questions. FIL strives to widen your horizons, aiding you to connect the dots within seemingly disparate information.
SPEAKERS
Amit Goela
Partner, Rare EnterprisesMr. Amit Goela has a distinguished profile in the Indian financial and securities market with over 30 years of experience.
He was associated with several leading corporate houses on strategy planning and investments.
He is associated with Rare Enterprises, heading the investment and research team. Mr. Goela has been an advisor for various companies in the areas of macroeconomics, equity research in both public and private markets, corporate restructuring, investments, and corporate actions-including mergers and acquisitions and advisory for stakeholder value creation.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of North Florida and has international experience in the financial segment.
Govindasamy Maran (G. Maran)
Co-founder & Executive Director, Unifi Capital P. Ltd.Mr. G. Maran is one of Unifi’s co-founders and currently holds the position of Executive Director. Starting his journey in capital market in early 90s, he has worked with some of the leading names in the financial markets. He currently manages some of Unifi’s key client relationships and has also been instrumental in spearheading Unifi’s initiatives into niche investment strategies and new geographies. His passion for granular details about Indian economy and consumption pattern helped to develop thematic investing styles far ahead of time.
He generously shares his thoughts with data as a sought after speaker in academic and industry forums.
Karthik Rajeshwaran
Vice President, Product Management, Viacom18 Media Private Limited (JioStar)Mr. Karthik Rajeshwaran is a seasoned product and growth leader with a dynamic career spanning Indias digital and consumer technology sectors. He currently serves as Vice President of Product Management at Viacom18, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the product strategy for JioStar. Prior to joining Viacom18, Karthik held senior leadership roles at Flipkart, including Senior Director of Product, where he contributed to initiatives in growth, monetization, and digital innovation.
An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, Karthik is known for his ability to blend data-driven decision-making with a deep understanding of consumer behaviour. His work has consistently focused on building scalable digital platforms and delivering high-impact user experiences.
Samar Sarda
Head Real Asset Investments, MK Ventures & Consulting Head for Real Estate at a Large Private BankA real estate professional with around 20 years of experience across capital markets, development and real assets.
Samar has worked with Kotak Institutional Equities, Axis Capital and Dynamix Group. Currently heading real asset investments for MK Ventures.
Samir Rachh
Fund Manager, Nippon India Mutual FundGraduate in commerce has more than 35 years of experience in Indian markets. His experience includes reasonably long stints at organizations like Capital Market where he left as an Assistant Editor, Managing Partner at Anvicon Investments – his own startup. This was followed by a stint at Hinduja Finance, where he was an Analyst and Portfolio Manager. Thereafter, he moved to Emkay Global as Head of Research and later took over as Head of PMS in the same organization.
Currently he is working as a Fund Manager with Nippon India Mutual Fund and manages the Nippon India Small Cap Fund. He has been with Nippon for around 18 years. He specializes in small and mid-cap space. His other interests include spirituality and music.
Varun Goenka
Director & Fund Manager, ValueQuest Investment AdvisorsMr. Varun Goenka is a seasoned investment professional with over 23 years of experience in the Indian equity markets. He currently serves as Director & Fund Manager at ValueQuest Investment Advisors. His approach emphasizes identifying themes and companies at inflection points with large-scale change.
Prior to joining ValueQuest in 2021, Varun was at Nippon India Mutual Fund (formerly Reliance Mutual Fund) as a Co-Fund Manager, where he played a pivotal role in mid and small-cap investing.
Varun has done a program in Financial Engineering from the Indian School of Business (ISB) in collaboration with UCLA and completed the Financial Markets Program of Yale University.
Varun authored the Green Revolution : GigaTREND, a comprehensive analysis of the energy transition megatrend, underscoring his commitment to identifying and investing in transformative global themes.
*Each of these speakers will share insights during the meet - whether through keynote talks, moderating breakout sessions, or engaging in panel discussions. Their diverse expertise, ranging from fund management and equity research to technology and investment banking, will spark enriching conversations for all attendees.
*While we have received confirmation from all speakers, the speaker list could change. In addition to these, other alumni members are also free to present. Presentations to be made on any topic except for a stock specific recommendation. No stock tips or individual companies shall be discussed.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Alumni Reunion is designed as a fully interactive and engaging experience, focused on peer learning, idea exchange, and meaningful networking. The agenda will include:
- Presentations by selected alumni on topics of their choice.
- Voluntary presentations -open to any participant interested in sharing insights.
- Thematic breakout discussions and informal networking sessions.
*The program schedule is subject to change depending on active participation.
FORMAT & PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
Alumni Presentations: All participants are encouraged (but not required) to present. Topics can range across - Industry case studies or economic trends, Personal investment journeys or lessons learned, Frameworks and mental models for evaluating businesses or markets etc. This is a great opportunity to share your perspectives, research, or experiences with fellow alumni.
A No Stock Tips Policy: There will be no individual stock tips or recommendations discussed. This forum is about developing the right mindset and analytical frameworks for investing – for example, how to examine financial statements for earnings quality, how to assess management strategy, or how to identify economic moats – rather than focusing on specific stock picks. The emphasis is on sharing insights, processes, and “how to think” about investments, not “what to buy.”
Thematic Breakout Sessions: In addition to formal presentations, there will be breakout group discussions centered around key investing themes and case studies. Depending on the number of participants and interest areas, simultaneous discussions will be conducted in separate rooms on topics such as:
- Insights from Books: Discuss key takeaways from influential investing or business books.
- Portfolio Allocation – Concentration vs. Diversification: Debate strategies on how to balance a portfolio.
- Macro Trends Analysis: Examine current macro-economic factors and market trends shaping investment decisions.
- The Art of the Sell Decision: Share frameworks on when to exit an investment.
- Forensic Accounting and Red Flags: Identify warning signs in financial statements and governance to avoid investment pitfalls.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Participants are requested to arrive on campus by Friday, August 1, 2025 and the program will conclude by Sunday afternoon, August 3, 2025.
Note: The exact start time on Friday will be shared closer to the date, once we finalize the number of alumni presentations.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This event is open exclusively to FIL alumni – i.e., anyone who has completed a FLAME Investment Lab program in the past. It is a reunion of minds for former participants to reconnect, learn, and collaborate.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
June 2, 2025
SELECTION NOTIFICATION
Confirmations will be sent out via email to selected participants by June 9, 2025.
PROGRAM FEES
The fee for the Alumni Meet is INR 25,000 per person plus GST (INR 29,500). This covers the entire program – tuition/sessions, program materials, all meals during the event, and on-campus accommodation for two nights.
- Fee does not include travel and other incidental expenses.
- Candidates need to submit the application form online.
- On being selected for the program, candidates will receive an online payment link. Selected candidates must complete the payment within 4 days of receiving their selection notification, which is latest by June 12, 2025.
- Kindly note, even if the application is submitted, but the payment is not made within the communicated deadline, the application will be deemed incomplete and annulled.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Interested alumni should complete the online application form on the FLAME Investment Lab Application Portal. In the application, you will be asked if you wish to present during the meet and your topic for the same.
- Seats are limited and will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, provided the participation fee is received by the deadline.
- Once you submit the form, you will receive payment instructions. Only applications with completed payment will be confirmed.
WITHDRAWAL AND CANCELLATION POLICY
- In the event that FLAME University is unable to provide the program, all fees will be fully refundable.
- For selected candidates:
- If a request for withdrawal is received before and up to July 11, 2025, the full amount of the fee paid shall be refunded.
- If a request for cancellation is received after July 11, 2025, 10% of the fee paid shall be refunded. GST on cancellation will be applicable.
ACCOMODATION
Accommodation will be provided in an AC, double occupancy room to all participants at FLAME campus in Pune for two nights of August 1 and 2, 2025.
FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
FLAME offers 70 acres of tranquil space, just 13 kms. from the Pune University main gate. It is an eco-friendly campus adjoining an 18-hole golf course. FLAME has an international sized cricket ground, football, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, outdoor Olympic sized swimming pool, track and field, futsal and handball at their disposal. A fitness and conditioning studio, badminton courts, billiards tables, squash courts, table tennis, carrom and chess ensure that FLAME’s sports facilities are second to none.
Its academic spaces include an auditorium, lecture theatres, conference rooms, a library, a performing arts studio, a visual arts studio, a sculpture studio, Physics, Chemistry and Biology labs, Financial Research lab and amphitheatres. Some of the other amenities include cafes, Wi-fi connectivity, an infirmary and an ambulance in case of emergency.
During the duration of the program, participants are encouraged to explore the campus and use the facilities FLAME offers.
CONTACT
Phone: +91 84840 98259 (Text and WhatsApp only)
Toll-free No: 1-800-209-4567
E-mail:
Website: www.flame.edu.in
DOWNLOAD BROCHURE
VENUE
FLAME University
Gat No. 1270, Lavale, Off. Pune Bangalore Highway,
Pune - 412115, Maharashtra, India.