“Don’t wait to be invited to the table, bring your own chair,” Rini Bansal, Carbon Light

 Rini Bansal’s journey from a curious child intrigued by how machines worked to co-founding a cutting-edge composites company is a story of passion, resilience, and relentless problem-solving. With a foundation in electrical and electronics engineering, sharpened by real-world experience across energy-intensive industries, and deepened through an MBA, Rini has carved a niche at the intersection of technology and business. Today, as the strategic force behind Carbon Light Private Limited, she brings engineering ingenuity to the table and makes sure she has a seat at it.

Engineering curiosity into impact

“I come from a family where curiosity and problem solving were always encouraged,” Rini shares. Her love for taking things apart, from kitchen appliances to toy cars, sparked a natural curiosity that led her to pursue engineering. “My dream has always been to do something meaningful and impactful in life,” she says.

Electrical and electronics engineering offered her the perfect combination: “It combined the tangible infrastructure that powers our lives with the intricate design of electronic systems.” Initially aiming for roles in energy or industrial automation, she saw these fields as crucial for building resilient industries.

Her early career took her through sugar manufacturing, refineries, and power plants—industries that gave her a grounded understanding of operations and infrastructure. Each experience built on the last, preparing her for the leap into composites. “I was drawn to composites for their potential to revolutionize lightweight engineering and sustainability, a field that felt like the perfect intersection of my experience,” she explains.

Building a business and a voice

Starting her own venture wasn’t a sudden shift but a conscious pivot. “I realized I was a good individual contributor, but in order to build something big, I needed a team,” Rini says of her decision to pursue an MBA. That training, combined with her technical background, equipped her to bridge the gap between engineering and entrepreneurship. “I realized my strength lies in connecting both worlds, translating engineering innovation into market-ready solutions.”

At Carbon Light, she wears many hats. Her daily work spans product development, customer engagement, and team leadership. “What I enjoy most is solving real-time problems of the world,” she says. “The best part about our product is that customers pay us to reduce weight, unlike in conventional manufacturing.” Sometimes, the team’s problem-solving goes so deep that it results in proprietary, patented solutions.

Being a woman in industry hasn’t always been easy. “The challenges are real, especially in male-dominated environments like refineries,” she admits. Early in her career, she felt the need to constantly prove herself. Now, she leads with confidence: “I used to wait for others to start the conversation. Now, I try to be the first.”

Her guiding principle? “Don’t wait to be invited to the table, bring your own chair.” That mindset, combined with the influence of her co-founder, whom she credits for helping her grow through constructive tension and calm decision-making, has shaped her leadership style, empathetic, strategic, and results-driven.

As for what’s next? Rini sees a bright future in sustainable materials. “Circular economy principles, bio-based composites, and recycling innovations are key trends shaping the next decade,” she notes. Her message to women aspiring to enter engineering or the composites industry is clear: “Believe that you belong here. Seek mentors, build your network, and never underestimate the impact your unique perspective can have.”