Suzuki-backed Next Bharat Ventures signs strategic MoU with 3one4 Capital and Antler India to empower early-stage startups
Next Bharat will closely work with 3one4 Capital and Antler India to nurture and empower early-stage startup ecosystems. The initiative aims to amplify support with the twin goals of creating impact by enabling entrepreneurship in both the mainstream business and social arenas across India.
Applications for the 4-month Next Bharat Residency Program are open until 12th August 2024. Shortlisted social impact entrepreneurs from the program will be aided with funding starting from INR 1 Cr onwards.
Next Bharat Ventures, a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corp Japan, dedicated to supporting early-stage impact-based startups in India, signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with renowned venture capital funds 3one4 Capital and Antler India, which invest in early-stage startups both in India and internationally.
Siddarth Pai, Founding Partner at 3one4 Capital, alongside Vipul Nath Jindal, Managing Director and CEO of Next Bharat Ventures, signed the MoU. In parallel, Lakshmikant PB, Director - Finance at Antler India, also signed an MoU with Vipul Nath Jindal. Next Bharat will closely work with 3one4 Capital and Antler India to provide strategic guidance, funding opportunities, and extensive networks to early-stage startups in both the mainstream business and social arenas through a cohort-based approach.
Vipul Nath Jindal, Managing Director and CEO of Next Bharat Ventures, commented on the signing of the MoUs, “At Next Bharat, we believe in the transformative power of socially driven entrepreneurship to create a positive impact on the informal and rural economies of the country. Forging strategic associations with Antler India and 3one4 Capital is a conscious move towards nurturing and empowering the early-stage startup ecosystem. We look forward to a successful collaboration that will pave the way for a new generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs in India.”
Siddarth Pai, Founding Partner at 3one4 Capital, added, “We look forward to partnering with Next Bharat Ventures to accelerate the impact entrepreneurship category in India. At 3one4 Capital, we specialize in leveraging our extensive network and data-driven insights to identify and nurture high-potential startups from the early stage. By combining our strategic expertise in early-stage investments with Next Bharat's focus on socially impactful enterprises, we aim to provide comprehensive support to further the mission of entrepreneurship and value creation in India.”
Rajiv Srivatsa, Partner & Investor at Antler India, stated on the collaboration, “Our association with Next Bharat Ventures is a step towards amplifying our shared vision of driving impactful change in the world through entrepreneurial ventures. We have a tailored approach to nurturing startups through our high selectivity and Antler Residency Platform. We hope the global expertise of Antler in cohort-based investments and Next Bharat’s vision to create social impact in India 2 and India 3 can together help scale solutions that will make a significant difference in India’s current entrepreneurship landscape.”
Entrepreneurs working in the social impact space can apply for the 4-month Residency Program by Next Bharat Ventures. The application process, extended until 12th August 2024 (Monday), is designed to ensure broad participation, including WhatsApp-based submissions, with a maximum 2-week application review time. The program is scheduled to commence on 14th October 2024.
About 3one4 Capital
3one4 Capital is a Bengaluru-based early-stage venture capital firm specializing in SaaS, Enterprise & SMB Automation, Fintech, and Consumer Internet. The firm focuses on areas like machine-driven actionable intelligence, digital health, ambient intelligence, logistics, and climate tech. Known for its commitment to responsible investing, 3one4 Capital is the first VC firm from India to be accepted as a signatory to the UN PRI. With INR 4,200 Cr+ (USD 520M+) in committed capital and over 80 investments, the firm has been recognized by Preqin as a top performer in India, with two of its funds achieving industry-leading Net IRRs.
About Antler India
Antler India is a premier pre-seed investor committed to nurturing startups from their earliest stages through to scaling. As one of the most active early-stage investors globally, Antler focuses on providing comprehensive support to founders, from initial backing to long-term partnership. Since 2018, Antler has helped create and invested in over 1,000 startups worldwide, with a goal to back more than 6,000 by 2030.
About Next Bharat Ventures
Next Bharat is established with the focus to unite “Impact Entrepreneurs” who are tirelessly working to solve problems of the billion Indians who are part of the rural economy or the informal economy of India. A 100% subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation Japan, through its flagship initiative, the “Next Bharat Residency” Program, the firm intends to create an end-to-end support ecosystem for Impact Entrepreneurs who are not only passionate about solving socio-economic problems but also possess strong business acumen to grow and scale their startups. The ultimate objective of the program is to empower Impact Entrepreneurs to tackle critical social challenges, making the rural and informal economies pivotal elements of Bharat's growth journey.
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