Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Private limited– a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation announced the launch of an Rs 340 Crore fund that aims to act as a growth catalyst for the social impact startup ecosystem in India. Next Bharat is a social impact investment fund dedicated to fostering impact entrepreneurs who are creating value for Tier II and below geographies. “Next Bharat” aims to empower India’s next billion by supporting these Impact Entrepreneurs. The primary mission is to cultivate and nurture a deep rooted community of Impact enablers in the country, who are solving social problems with sustainable business.
The ‘Next Bharat Residency program’ is a 4-month immersive residency for early stage entrepreneurs, offering an inclusive, easy application process. Toshihiro Suzuki, President and CEO of Suzuki Motor Corporation said, “Our goal is to connect with the “Next Billion” people of India, extending beyond mobility and becoming a part of India’s future story.”
The program, which will commence on 14th October 2024, is designed to focus on impact-first entrepreneurs with a clear problem-solving approach and a commitment to contributing to the rural community or the Informal sector of India. The application deadline is July 31, 2024, and the program is open to all passionate impact entrepreneurs. Next Bharat will nurture social impact startups in the domains of agriculture, financial inclusion, rural supply chain, and rural mobility.