NABVENTURES Announces First Close of Fund II at INR 450 Crore; Target Corpus Set at INR 1,500 Crore

New Delhi, October 9, 2026: NABVENTURES, the venture capital arm of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), has announced the First Close of NABVENTURES Fund II, securing commitments of INR 450 crore. The Fund is targeting a total corpus of INR 1,500 crore, including a green-shoe option, building on the strong track record of earlier funds that have collectively backed 23 innovative enterprises.

As the anchor investor, NABARD reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovation-led growth in India’s agriculture and rural economy.

Announcing the First Close, Dr. Shaji Krishnan V, Chairman of NABARD, said: “The successful First Close of NABVENTURES Fund II at INR 450 crore marks an important milestone in NABARD’s continued commitment to fostering innovation across India’s agriculture and rural economy. As the sector evolves, there is a growing need for scalable, technology-driven solutions that enhance productivity, strengthen value chains, improve farmers’ incomes, and build resilient rural enterprises. Through Fund II, we aim to partner with visionary entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions to address critical challenges across the agricultural ecosystem. Our focus is on supporting enterprises that deliver both strong commercial outcomes and meaningful social impact through sustainability, climate resilience, financial inclusion, and livelihood creation.”

Investment Focus
NABVENTURES Fund II will invest in high-potential early- and growth-stage companies across:

• Agri-tech
• Food and agribusiness
• Rural fintech
• Climate-smart solutions
• Supply chain and logistics
• Other innovations driving rural transformation

Beyond growth capital, the Fund will leverage NABARD’s nationwide presence and sectoral expertise to help portfolio companies scale their impact and contribute meaningfully to India’s agricultural and rural development journey.

Strategic Outlook
By deepening support for the innovation ecosystem, NABARD aims to accelerate the transformation of India’s agriculture and rural economy, making it more resilient, competitive, and future-ready.