The investment platform backed by The/Nudge Foundation will focus on businesses serving underserved communities across livelihoods, agriculture, climate, and financial inclusion.
TILT, the impact-focused investment platform of The/Nudge Foundation, has launched a ₹250 crore venture fund to back early-stage businesses serving India’s underserved and lower-income communities. The fund will primarily invest in startups from seed to Series A, with individual investments expected to range between ₹2 crore and ₹16 crore. The initiative is designed around businesses that may require longer periods to develop products, establish distribution networks and build sustainable commercial models.
The launch comes as early-stage companies increasingly look beyond traditional consumer and technology segments to address challenges linked to employment, financial access, agriculture, and climate resilience.
Focus on tech and livelihoods.
TILT’s investment strategy covers businesses using science and technology to address practical challenges faced by India’s next generation of consumers and workers.
The fund plans to consider startups operating across agricultural value chains, informal work, employment and employability, MSME productivity, financial inclusion and market access. It will also look at climate resilience and applications of artificial intelligence to livelihood-related challenges. Rather than concentrating only on rapid expansion, TILT says it intends to provide what it describes as “patient capital”. The approach recognises that companies serving underserved markets can take longer to establish product-market fit and develop viable distribution models.
Capital alongside strategic support.
The fund’s role is expected to extend beyond providing financing. TILT plans to work with portfolio companies through research, market development, strategic partnerships and ecosystem support.
This approach is intended to address some of the challenges faced by early-stage businesses operating in markets where customer acquisition, infrastructure and distribution can require more time and resources. TILT was founded by Richa Singh and AtulSatija and builds on The/Nudge Foundation’s experience of supporting social enterprises. The foundation has supported more than 190 social enterprises and deployed about ₹180 crore in grants over eight years.
The ₹250 crore fund is backed by the Livelihood Impact Fund, along with a group of entrepreneurs, investors and philanthropists. Participants include MakeMyTrip founder Deep Kalra, BigBasket co-founder Hari Menon, Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal, ViditAatrey of Meesho and the Raj &IndraNooyi Family Office.
TILT has set a long-term target of investing in 150 startups over the next 15 years, with the broader objective of supporting businesses working at the intersection of technology, livelihoods and inclusive economic growth.
