Suzuki is a Japan-based automobile company that launched an India-focused Rs 340 crore fund called Next Bharat Ventures for startups. This fund will focus on backing early-stage Indian startups. Entrackr reported that the vehicle will be established as an arm of Suzuki that will act as the sole Limited Partner for the first fund, and LPs will sponsor it. Next, Bharat Ventures is aiming for 20 investments a year for the next three to four years. Here we are talking about Japanese automobile firm Suzuki launched Next Bharat venture fund worth Rs 340 crore for Indian startups.
The investment will be made through a residency program, and its first cohort will start in October 2024. The applications are open starting Thursday and can be filled out by the startups meeting the criteria of this scheme. This program will be similar to the programs by Antler and Y Combinator. However, the firm will focus on those startups that can make a social impact through their businesses. The CEO of Next Bharat, Vipul Nath Jindal, told PTI that they would invest in growth-stage and early-stage social impact startups through this residency program. This investment will also enable Next Bharat to establish a solid strategic synergy for the next Bharat fund.
This scheme will mainly focus on startups in rural mobility, agri-tech, fintech, and supply chain management. This investment will last 15 years, focusing on startups that benefit the workers in the informal economy, such as waste management workers, farmers, and artisans. This program will select social impact entrepreneurs during the 4-month and offer them mentorship and networking opportunities from industry experts to help them scale.
Suzuki selected around startups last year, including Route2Jute, Hopun Innovations, DriverShaab, OiHelp, Salutem Ridegar, and Backyard Creation through its nurture program, which was conducted in collaboration with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. Suzuki announced equity investment from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore per deal in Indian startups. The company is eyeing investments in the Indian market to forge a transformative path for the next Bharat. The scheme strongly supports businesses from Tier 2 and three cities.
Conclusion
Japanese automobile manufacturing company Suzuki aims to back Indian startups in the agriculture, fintech, rural mobility, and supply chain sectors. Next, Bharat Ventures seeks to invest 20 a year for the next three to four years. Through this residency program, Bharat Ventures invests in growth-stage and early-stage social impact startups. This investment will also enable Next Bharat to establish a solid strategic synergy for the next Bharat fund. The investment will be made through a residency program, and its first cohort will start in October 2024.
This investment will last 15 years, focusing on startups that benefit the workers in the informal economy, such as waste management workers, farmers, and artisans. During this 4-month residency program, the firm will select social impact startups and offer them mentorship and resources to scale up organically. This firm will invest for 15 years and focus on startups that benefit workers in the informal economy, such as farmers and waste management workers.
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