The impact fund would be invested in agriculture, agritech, healthcare, health-tech and livelihood
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Japan's Suzuki Motor Corporation-backed Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Pvt Ltd on Monday announced the launch of its second fund of ₹2,000 crore, aimed at supporting start-ups across sectors, including agriculture, financial inclusion, healthcare and AI for social good in India.Earlier, through its first ₹340-crore fund, Next Bharat Ventures (NBV) invested in over 20 'impact organisations'.The second fund will mostly come from Suzuki Motor Corporation as the anchor LP, but there will be other money which will also be raised from other corporations from Japan, Next Bharat Ventures Founder and CEO, Vipul Jindal Nath, told PTI.Asked in what areas the fund will be deployed, he said, "The sectors which we invest in are basically any sector where a start-up can help (improve) the quality of life for the local communities of rural India, tier two-three towns, or even in big cities (those of) informal and gig economy workers."It automatically becomes like agriculture, agritech, healthcare, health-tech and livelihood, Nath added.On the timeline for the deployment of the fund, he said, "We will be deploying the ₹2,000-crore in the next three to four years."On the reason for raising almost the entire corpus from Japan, Nath said, "Because we believe Japanese institutions are much more patient in terms of investment."Unlike a typical VC fund, he said, "Our fund cycle is not 12 years, it is 15 years because of the kind of investment we make in the sector, the impact, they need a little bit more (time). The speed is not exponential growth or hyper growth curve, (it needs) more time, more patience, and we want to give that to them."This second corpus will enable Next Bharat Ventures to significantly expand its support towards "impact entrepreneurs," building to improve the quality of life and sustainable livelihoods across rural India, and migrated and urban marginalised communities, the company said.Commenting on the new fund, Suzuki Motor Corporation Representative Director & President Toshihiro Suzuki said, "Japan's investment in India has always been rooted in a shared belief in India's potential, and nowhere is that more evident than in our four-decade partnership."The most important legacy is not the cars themselves, but the enterprises born from it -- ordinary shops that became major dealerships, repair workshops that became auto-parts suppliers, and a single supplier that gave rise to entire SME ecosystems, he added."In this way, we created an estimated 3,000-plus entrepreneurs across India, each a homegrown engine of local jobs and income. With Fund II, we are deepening this commitment, and are honoured to walk this path with the Centre toward a truly Atmanirbhar Bharat," Suzuki said.NBV said the fresh ₹2,000-crore second fund substantially expands its investment capacity.Over the years, it has invested in several rural start-ups, including MeMeraki, an authentic Indian folk art marketplace; E-Bik, a rural mobility brand that provides affordable e-mobility kits for cycles and rickshaws; SGB Agro, a brand that offers affordable mechanisation for small-holding farmers and Atypical Advantage, India's largest PwD livelihood platform, among others.Published on July 6, 2026
