Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Next Bharat Ventures Links Social Impact With Financial Performance
Next Bharat Ventures is a fund that invests in businesses helping people in rural and informal parts of India.
Its new report says 21 companies have reached about 2 million people.
These businesses work in areas such as farming, healthcare, mobility, education, and livelihoods.
The fund says many companies are also growing their revenues.
About 80% of the startups are moving toward profitability.
Some businesses have helped farmers, street vendors, artisans, gig workers, and people with disabilities earn more or access services.
The fund has invested INR 20.76 crore so far.
It plans to use its next fund to support more healthcare and AI solutions.
The fund says helping people and making money can happen together when businesses solve important everyday problems.
Next Bharat Ventures’ Impact Report 2026 says its 21 portfolio companies have reached 20 lakh people.
The fund has committed INR 20.76 crore in seed funding, including investments in four businesses from its third cohort.
Five startups serving India’s informal economy impacted 14,70,610 lives, while 16 rural-economy startups impacted 4,98,797.
Around 80% of portfolio startups are on the path to profitability, alongside reported income and revenue growth across sectors.
Fund II will focus on healthcare and artificial-intelligence ventures serving India’s rural and informal economies.
- Who
- Next Bharat Ventures and its 21 portfolio companies, with statements from Vipul Nath Jindal, Amitabh Kant, and Fujitani Masao.
- What
- Next Bharat Ventures released its Impact Report 2026, detailing social impact, revenue growth, investments, and plans for Fund II.
- When
- The report was launched in 2026; the articles do not state an exact date.
- Where
- India, including rural areas and the urban informal economy; Blackfrog Technologies also has a presence in Africa.
- Why
- The report aims to show that businesses serving India’s rural and informal economies can generate measurable social impact while remaining commercially viable.
- People reached
- 20 lakh people through 21 portfolio companies.
- Seed funding committed
- INR 20.76 crore.
- Informal-economy portfolio
- Five startups impacted 14,70,610 lives and reported 60.05% revenue growth.
- Rural-economy portfolio
- Sixteen startups impacted 4,98,797 lives and reported 186.13% revenue growth.
- Profitability
- Approximately 80% of startups are on the path to profitability.
- Income growth
- Reported year-on-year income growth was 75% for farmers and tribal farmers, 93% for artisans, and 25% for street vendors.
- Fund II focus
- Healthcare and artificial-intelligence companies creating livelihoods and services for India’s next billion people.