At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and changemakers who are creating meaningful impact through their work. As part of this initiative, we are delighted to feature Aditi Balbir, entrepreneur and Founder of EcoRatings and V Resorts. With her experience in hospitality, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, Aditi is working towards building businesses that combine innovation, profitability, and environmental responsibility. Through EcoRatings, she aims to leverage the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to simplify sustainability data and help businesses make more informed, responsible decisions. Let’s explore her entrepreneurial journey, leadership philosophy, vision for sustainability, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Aditi:
Your entrepreneurial journey spans hospitality, entrepreneurship, and sustainability technology. What inspired you to transition from building V Resorts to founding EcoRatings, and how have your experiences shaped your vision?
My entrepreneurial journey has always been driven by the belief that businesses can create both economic value and meaningful impact. Building V Resorts helped me understand how sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand when they are integrated into the business model from the beginning.
Over time, I recognised an opportunity to take this philosophy to a much larger scale. Sustainability was becoming increasingly important for businesses, yet the information needed to make meaningful progress remained fragmented and difficult to interpret. This inspired me to build EcoRatings, with the vision of making sustainability more accessible, measurable, and actionable through technology.
My experience with V Resorts taught me the importance of understanding customers, building strong systems, and maintaining financial discipline. These lessons continue to shape how I approach EcoRatings and its long-term potential.
Sustainability data can be complex and fragmented. How is EcoRatings using AI to address this challenge, and what difference do you hope to create for businesses?
One of the biggest challenges businesses face is not necessarily a lack of sustainability data, but the difficulty of bringing that information together and translating it into meaningful action. Organisations often spend considerable time collecting, analysing, and interpreting information that should ultimately help them make better decisions.
At EcoRatings, we are working to simplify this complexity through AI-driven insights. The idea is to help businesses understand their sustainability performance, identify areas for improvement, and make more informed decisions without getting overwhelmed by fragmented information.
I believe AI can help transform sustainability from a largely compliance-driven activity into a strategic business function. When organisations can better understand their environmental impact and operational performance, they are better positioned to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and create long-term value.
Many businesses still view sustainability as a cost or a compliance requirement. How can entrepreneurs and organisations align purpose with profitability?
I have always believed that purpose and profitability should complement each other rather than compete. Sustainability becomes significantly more valuable when it is embedded in a company’s core strategy instead of being treated as a separate initiative.
For instance, improving resource efficiency, reducing waste, optimising energy consumption, and building responsible supply chains can create both environmental and commercial benefits. These measures can help businesses manage costs, strengthen resilience, and build trust with customers and stakeholders.
The key is to approach sustainability with the same strategic discipline as any other business priority. Organisations need to measure outcomes, understand the financial implications, and focus on initiatives that create tangible value. When purpose is supported by sound business fundamentals, it becomes a driver of sustainable growth rather than simply an expense.
Having built and scaled V Resorts, what are the most important lessons you have learnt about growing a business, navigating uncertainty, and building a strong team?
Building and scaling a business across different geographies has taught me that entrepreneurship requires resilience, adaptability, and a clear understanding of the fundamentals. A promising idea is only the starting point; translating it into a sustainable business requires consistent execution and the ability to learn from experience.
One of my biggest learnings has been the importance of building strong systems early. As a business grows, processes that once worked informally may no longer be sufficient. Financial discipline, operational clarity, and the ability to make decisions using reliable information become increasingly important.
Equally important is the team. You cannot build a lasting business alone. I believe in bringing together people who share the vision, empowering them to take ownership, and creating an environment where they can contribute meaningfully. Uncertainty is inevitable in entrepreneurship, but the right people and systems make it easier to navigate challenges and keep moving forward.
As an entrepreneur working at the intersection of AI and sustainability, what opportunities and challenges do you see in making technology a meaningful force for environmental progress?
I believe AI presents an enormous opportunity to make sustainability more practical and scalable. It can help businesses process large volumes of information, identify patterns, improve decision-making, and understand where their efforts can have the greatest impact.
However, technology alone cannot solve the sustainability challenge. The quality of data, the reliability of insights, and the willingness of organisations to act on those insights are equally important. AI must be applied responsibly, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
There is also a need to make these solutions accessible to businesses of different sizes. Sustainability should not be something only large corporations with extensive resources can pursue effectively. My vision is to help make the process simpler and more actionable so that more organisations can participate in the transition towards a responsible and resource-efficient economy.
What does your leadership philosophy look like, and what advice would you offer women entrepreneurs who aspire to build and scale ambitious businesses?
My leadership philosophy is centred on empowering people, building trust, and creating a shared sense of purpose. Entrepreneurship involves making decisions without always having complete information, so leaders must remain adaptable while being clear about the direction they want to pursue.
I believe in encouraging ownership, listening to different perspectives, and having the courage to take calculated risks. At the same time, leaders must be willing to acknowledge mistakes and change course when circumstances demand it.
For women entrepreneurs, access to capital, networks, and opportunities can still be challenging. My advice is to believe in your vision, understand your numbers, and build relationships with people who challenge and support you. Confidence grows through preparation, execution, and learning. Do not be afraid to think big or pursue opportunities simply because the path is unfamiliar. Focus on building a strong business, creating value, and remaining persistent through the difficult phases.
Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for EcoRatings, and what message would you like to share with aspiring entrepreneurs who want to build businesses that create lasting impact?
My long-term vision is to make EcoRatings an AI-powered operating system for sustainability, enabling businesses to understand their impact and make responsible decisions more easily. I see an opportunity to simplify how organisations approach sustainability by bringing information, insights, and decision-making closer together.
Ultimately, the goal is to help businesses integrate sustainability into their everyday operations and long-term strategies. I believe that when responsible decisions become easier to make and their business value becomes clearer, organisations can move beyond intentions and create measurable progress.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, my message is to focus on solving problems that genuinely matter. Building a business is not just about identifying an opportunity; it is about understanding a real need and developing a solution that people find valuable. Stay curious, remain adaptable, understand your financial fundamentals, and be prepared to learn continuously. The most meaningful businesses are those that combine a clear purpose with strong execution and create lasting value for the people and communities they serve.
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