Swiss investor Rianta Capital Zurich is scouting for impact investments in India

Switzerland-based impact investor Rianta Capital Zurich has partnered with Villgro, India’s social enterprise incubator, to scout for funding opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors.

It will invest US$100,000 in each of six startups this year. Beyond the collaboration with Villgro, Rianta will increase the amount of funding available for early-stage impact enterprises in India with other partnerships to come.

Villgro has incubated 109 social impact enterprises and secured US$17 million in follow-on funding.

“The quality of Villgro’s team and the depth of their knowledge as an incubator and accelerator is a strong complement to those of us working to cultivate collaboration amidst investor and financier networks. This partnership is a launchpad not only for ourselves but for those we have co-invested with in managing the trajectory of our impact portfolios in the country,” said Audrey Selian, director of Rianta Capital Zurich.

Rianta Capital was founded by Tom Singh, UK-based entrepreneur and investor who is also the founder of fashion store franchise New Look. It has been investing in social enterprises in India for over a decade. Last year, the fund hosted Artha Venture Challenge in which startups like sanitary pads manufacturer Aakar Innovation and bioenergy firm Avani won eight-month-long mentoring and US$50,000 worth of funding.