HCL Remains Positive Despite Rising Global Economic & Trade Uncertainties: Roshni Nadar

• HCL Group takes a cautiously optimistic approach in the face of global economic and trade uncertainty
• Freely varying tariff policies, particularly in the United States, are a source of market volatility
• Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra points to indirect effects on HCL through its international client base

Indian tech conglomerate, HCL Group is having a cautiously positive outlook in spite of global uncertainties, particularly emerging from changing tariff regimes in countries such as the United States, Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra said.

"Our customers span industries that could be affected by changes in tariffs, particularly in our biggest market—the US. Though we're not impacted directly, our customers are resorting to optimization through technology to manage inflation and cost increases fueled by tariff volatility," Roshni said at the inception of the ₹25 crore HCL Climaforce Fund.

This new fund, in partnership with the India Climate Collaborative (ICC), will provide support to 20 for-profit, market-ready firms and innovations that have achieved Technology Readiness Level 7. It will target solutions in the areas of cooling, green buildings, and freight mobility.

“In addition to financial support, the fund wants to create connections between early-stage startups and large corporations in need of practical, scalable solutions. In the five-year life of the Climaforce Fund, we will back over 20 deployable innovations. We'll fund part of pilot projects and assist in introducing these companies to the relevant expertise, networks, and resources needed to scale up," she further added.

As per the company's press release, the fund will contribute up to 30 percent of the cost of a pilot project. It will also provide fundraising support, access to markets, and ongoing development of technology even after the program ends. Funding requests for green building and cooling projects will begin on April 30, with freight mobility funding requests being received starting in 2027.