The Earth Fund, launched by Brigade Group, has joined forces with Gruhas, the investment arm of Nikhil Kamath and Abhijeet Pai. The Rs 200 Cr SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), with an additional Rs 100 Cr green-shoe option, aims to back high-growth startups solving challenges in the built world through sustainability and innovation.
The Earth Fund is led by Nirupa Shankar, Joint MD, Brigade Enterprises Limited; Abhijeet Pai, Co-Founder, Gruhas; Nikhil Kamath, Co-Founder, Gruhas; and Mohan Parvatikar, Independent Director, Zoiros Projects Private Limited, additionally, with a team of seasoned professionals bringing deep expertise in real estate, venture capital, and entrepreneurship.
By combining Brigade's deep industry expertise with Gruhas' proven investment acumen, Earth Fund is set to accelerate the next generation of PropTech and sustainability-driven startups.
Earth Fund will invest in pre-series A and series-A tech startups that are innovating in real estate, construction, and sustainability. The Fund seeks to invest USD 1-2 million in startups with a demonstrated product-market fit and looking for capital to scale their solutions. The Fund aims to have a portfolio of 10 to 15 startups through an initial check and reserves for follow-on rounds.
Focus areas for the Fund include breakthrough innovations across UrbanTech - covering prop-tech, construction tech, real estate solutions, and asset utilisation; and Sustainability, including climate tech, clean tech, smart mobility, and energy solutions. Multiple startups are already being considered for Earth Fund and investments are expected to be announced shortly.
Through this partnership, Gruhas will play a key role in identifying and nurturing high-impact ventures with its experience investing in 50+ startups across PropTech, climate tech, sustainability, and consumer sectors.
Brigade REAP, having mentored and invested in over 80 companies over the last 8 years across the UrbanTech & Sustainability value chain through its REAP Accelerator and Investment program, will be able to support investee companies beyond just capital with industry integration, market access, go-to-market acceleration, strategic fundraising, and growth support.
Nirupa Shankar, Joint Managing Director of Brigade Enterprises Limited, said, "The uniqueness of Earth Fund is its focus on Urbantech and Sustainability solutions for the built world. By leveraging the resources and expertise of Brigade Group and Gruhas, our aim is to identify and support startups that will redefine urban development and drive long-term value. Our goal is to bridge the gap between traditional real estate and cutting-edge technology, fostering an ecosystem for sustainable and efficient urban solutions. We will draw on our last 8 years of experience in running Asia's first UrbanTech Accelerator, Brigade REAP, to ensure investment decisions are backed by extensive industry research and hands-on engagement with our portfolio companies. This will enable Earth Fund's startups to navigate the complexities of the real estate sector and scale faster than their counterparts. Brigade REAP has shown us the transformative potential of UrbanTech startups, and Earth Fund will further support these innovative ventures."
Abhijeet Pai, Co-Founder of Gruhas, said, "Earth Fund aligns with our vision of using technology to drive sustainable growth in real estate and construction, one of the world's largest yet least innovated industries. With India's population surpassing 1.4 billion, modernising our built environment is more urgent than ever. Earth Fund isn't just capital; it's a catalyst for change. We back PropTech and sustainability startups with funding, industry integration, and strategic mentorship. By bridging traditional real estate with emerging technologies, we're accelerating ventures that redefine urban spaces, construction, and resource efficiency. Through strategic partnerships, we're shaping a future where smart infrastructure, green buildings, and AI-powered urban planning become the new standard."
