The short version
Over more than a decade, Dr. Anand has built one of Bihar's fastest-growing coworking and innovation ecosystems, led community research covering 3,000+ households, and mentored young innovators as a NITI Aayog Mentor of Change.
Dr. Preetesh Anand
Patna, Bihar, India
Oplus Cowork · SDRF · Urban research · Author
PhD in Management (Magadh University); MBA Finance & Marketing (Gauhati University); BBA (CCS University)
UN Environment Hero (2019); Impact Entrepreneur Award (2015); WEF Global Shaper; NITI Aayog Mentor of Change; Climate Reality Leader
City in Transition; From Coaching to Curiosity
The long version
Dr. Preetesh Anand is an entrepreneur, researcher and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of sustainable development, innovation and community transformation. He began his career working with investors, accelerators and incubators before returning to his home state of Bihar to build local institutions.
In 2017 he founded the Sustainable Development Research Foundation (SDRF), a development consultancy delivering evidence-based research, policy support and community empowerment programs aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In 2019 he launched Oplus Cowork, a coworking and innovation hub in Patna serving startups, freelancers, MSMEs and corporates, and he serves as CFO of Oplus Innovation, a drone and robotics R&D venture.
His doctoral research at Magadh University, Bodh Gaya examined "Transitions and Challenges of Sustainable Urban Development in Indian Cities, with Reference to Patna District." His work includes a Community Development Index built on 3,000+ household surveys across 23 blocks of Patna, and policy inputs toward the Patna Master Plan 2031. He has published in the journal Shodh Drishti and presented research on urban green spaces and mental health.
Dr. Anand was recognized as a UN Environment Programme World Environment Day Hero in 2019, represented Patna's Global Shapers community at the World Economic Forum, serves as a NITI Aayog Mentor of Change under the Atal Innovation Mission, and is a trained Climate Reality Leader. As a speaker he has addressed 38 Startup Yatra events across all 38 districts of Bihar, trained bankers at the Reserve Bank of India in Patna, and attended global forums including the United Nations in Geneva and Expo 2020 Dubai.
He is the author of two books — City in Transition, on sustainable and inclusive urban futures, and From Coaching to Curiosity, on rethinking how India learns — and creates the Hindi sustainability channel Sustainable Soch on YouTube.
Work with Dr. Anand
Available for research collaborations, policy consultations, keynote speaking and impact-driven partnerships.