Mumbai, July 21, 2025 –Aavishkaar Foundation, part of the Aavishkaar Group with its vision around building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Eastern UP and Next Bharat Ventures , an impact investing firm dedicated to empowering impact entrepreneurs across India’s informal and rural economies announced a strategic partnership for the development of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in India through Aavishkaar Foundation’s Entrepreneur Investing Program (EIP) and Next Bharat’s Residency Program.
The collaboration between Next Bharat Ventures and the Aavishkaar Foundation is rooted in a shared commitment to nurturing grassroots entrepreneurship and bridging opportunity gaps across India’s underserved regions. The joint initiative between the Residency Program and the Entrepreneur Investing Program, will aim to empower early-stage founders from non-metro areas with capital, mentorship, and community support. By combining Next Bharat’s patient capital approach with Aavishkaar’s deep expertise in impact investing, the collaboration will be building a robust pipeline of ventures that are solving local challenges with scalable, sustainable solutions.
The partnership will explore opportunities to identify and mentor quality startups and impact entrepreneurs help solving critical societal issues with a vision of “Increasing Income of Bharat* in sectors like agri, rural supply chain, financial inclusion, waste management and build long-term strategic relationships on activating the overall impact entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem.
Speaking about the partnership, Vineet Rai, Founder, Aavishkaar Group said, “As we chart the course towards Vikshit Bharat@2047, we are proud to support India’s homegrown startups through transformative platforms like the Next Bharat Ventures Residency and Aavishkaar Foundation’s Entrepreneur Investing Program. These initiatives are not just about funding — they’re about nurturing bold ideas, building resilient communities, and unlocking the potential of entrepreneurs who are solving problems worth solving
Vipul Nath Jindal, Founder, Next Bharat Ventures said, “At Next Bharat Ventures, we believe India’s next wave of innovation will rise from its grassroots. By backing entrepreneurs that are building ventures for the rural sector or the informal sector, we’re not just investing in startups — we’re investing in the future of Bharat, where resilience meets ingenuity. We call it building elephants, than building unicorns.”
Through the cross pollination of startups from the impact community and innovation programs, Aavishkaar Foundation and Next Bharat Ventures, will aim to strengthen and scale India’s homegrown innovators and support startups from India’s heartland through innovation, insights and impact.
About Aavishkaar Group:
Aavishkaar Group is a global pioneer in taking an entrepreneurship-based approach towards development. The Group‘s platforms are focused on developing the impact ecosystem in the continents of Asia and Africa and manages assets in excess of USD 1.45 Billion across Equity and Credit. With 9,800+ employees present across India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Kenya, the Group has so far disbursed capital in excess of USD 5.1 Billion and supported 144 Million underserved customers.
The Group’s ecosystems include Aavishkaar Capital – Impact fund manager focused on Global South, Arohan- One of India’s largest & most digitally advanced microfinance institution (MFI) targeting low income households, Ashv Finance- Phygital NBFC, offering unique cash flow based business loans to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Aavishkaar Foundation- A Section 8 Company, to solve the ‘Need for ‘Grant-based intervention’ to a level where ‘risk capital’ can play a meaningful role to create impact, Aavishkaar Carbon- A Carbon asset development, management, trading and technology platform and Intellecap – Global Impact advisory firm providing Consulting, Investment banking and Inclusive networking platform.
Over the last two decades, the Group has taken an entrepreneurship approach towards development. By leveraging capital, knowledge and networks, the Group provides a strong differentiated capability as an Impact platform, with each business rooted in strong fundamental and common principles of access, inclusion and sustainability. The Group actively contributes to 15 out of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For more go to www.aavishkaargroup.com
About Next Bharat Ventures:
Next Bharat Ventures is a purpose-driven venture firm with its first fund size of 340 Cr INR. Through its 3-week intensive Residency Program, the firm supports founders working at the intersection of economic inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and local innovation. With a focus on sectors like agriculture, mobility, supply chains, and financial access, Next Bharat aims to enable scalable solutions that serve the next billion. The program offers not just capital, but also long-term mentorship, strategic networks, and access to global best practices.
Having completed two successful cohorts and invested in over 10 startups, Next Bharat is cultivating a strong community of impact-first entrepreneurs. Its portfolio includes ventures led by first-generation founders and women entrepreneurs, many of whom are rooted in non-urban India. At the heart of the initiative is a belief in “Elephant Entrepreneurs”—founders focused on steady, sustainable growth and deep community impact. Through long-term partnerships and patient capital, Next Bharat is building a resilient ecosystem of changemakers committed to shaping a more inclusive future.
For more go to www.nextbharatventures.com
