India’s private-sector bank, HDFC Bank, has launched the eighth edition of its Parivartan Start-Up Grants initiative, committing up to Rs 20 crore to support 50-60 social startups in the current fiscal year. The initiative aims to nurture high-impact startups working on AI for social good, climate innovation, financial inclusion, agriculture, education and gender diversity.
To drive this effort, HDFC Bank has partnered with 15 leading incubators and accelerators, including IIT Madras, IIM Ahmedabad Ventures, Villgro and ICAR Pusa Krishi. These institutions will invite applications from social entrepreneurs across India, fostering a strong pipeline of startups addressing critical challenges.
Each selected startup will be eligible for grants of up to Rs 50 lakh, with the programme culminating in a series of ‘Demo Day’ events, where startups will pitch their solutions to investors, corporates, media and HDFC Bank representatives for further visibility and funding opportunities.
Focus Areas of Parivartan Start-Up Grants:
- AI for Social Good
- Climate Innovation
- Financial Inclusion
- Agriculture & Sustainable Rural Economies
- Education & Livelihood Enhancement
- Gender Diversity & Inclusion
Kaizad Bharauch, Deputy Managing Director (MD), HDFC Bank, emphasised the bank’s vision for social impact. He said, “By nurturing social startups that align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we aim to drive sustainable and inclusive solutions that transform communities across India.”
Startups from across India, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and the North-East states, will be selected for funding and mentorship under the initiative.
Arup Rakshit, Group Head, Treasury, HDFC Bank, highlighted the significance of partnerships in this initiative. He commented, “Through strategic collaborations with incubators and accelerators, we are building a robust startup ecosystem. Our goal is to provide entrepreneurs with the necessary resources and visibility to scale their solutions and contribute meaningfully to India’s growth journey.”
With its Parivartan Start-Up Grants, HDFC Bank continues to strengthen India’s social startup ecosystem, enabling entrepreneurs to develop scalable solutions for some of the country’s most pressing challenges.
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