Next Bharat Ventures (NBV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corp., has launched its second impact fund targeting ₹2,000 crore to back rural entrepreneurs. The announcement was made on July 6, 2026, with the new fund aimed at expanding support for impact entrepreneurs across sectors such as agriculture, financial inclusion, healthcare, and AI for social good, according to livemint.com.
NBV's first fund, valued at ₹340 crore, invested in around 20 early-stage startups focused on social impact. The new fund will build on this foundation by increasing capital availability to startups innovating at the grassroots level. The company emphasized its commitment to backing founders working on solutions that address rural challenges, leveraging technology and innovation to create scalable impact.
This fund launch comes amid growing investor interest in impact investing within India’s startup ecosystem, particularly in underserved rural markets. By focusing on sectors like agriculture and financial inclusion, NBV aims to support startups that can drive inclusive growth. The ₹2,000 crore corpus is among the larger impact-focused funds in the country, positioning NBV alongside other key players in the impact venture capital space.
Next Bharat Ventures’ second fund launch was disclosed in a company statement on July 6, 2026, marking a significant increase from its initial ₹340 crore fund. This move underscores Suzuki Motor Corp.’s strategic commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in rural India.