Ankur Capital helps up-and-coming businesses in India succeed -- but not just any business. The focus here is on those that work in low-income communities to create impact-driven solutions that affect social and economic indicators.
"We hope to be rolling up our sleeves alongside the entrepreneur to build a great idea into a sustainable solution to address the needs of the bottom of the pyramid," the Ankur Capital website outlines. "Ankur aims to bridge the gap, both financial and operational, that a business faces in making the transition from proven concept to a sustainable venture creating impact."
Ankur Capital offers hands-on support in scaling businesses, seed capital for emerging businesses as well as access to networks including industry and domain experts; marketing, branding and recruitment networks; and funders and funding options. Ankur is looking for specific kinds of businesses that not only share their passion for purpose (that is, you can't just be in it for the money), but also have on-the-ground experience, potential to scale and a business model that can improve livelihoods in the community and deliver goods and services to the rural and urban poor. Typically, Ankur Capital steps in after the pilot period and assesses the extent to which the business model shows the capacity for sustainability and impact, making them more of a seed capital initiative than a traditional incubator.
It's thanks to operations like Ankur Capital that social businesses can grow and succeed in a sustainable manner so that, one day, social businesses become the norm and not the anomaly.
Contact Information
Ankur Capital website
Ankur Capital on Facebook
Social Business Supporters
Ankur Capital Helps Impact-Driven Businesses in India Succeed
Trend Themes
1. Social Business - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new business models that create social impact and improve livelihoods for low-income communities.
2. Seed Capital - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new funding strategies and investment models to support emerging businesses that focus on social and economic indicators.
3. Sustainable Ventures - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Identify and support businesses with sustainable business models that can deliver goods and services to both rural and urban poor communities.
Industry Implications
1. Impact Investment - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create specialized investment vehicles to fund businesses that have a dual focus on financial returns and social impact.
2. Business Incubation - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design incubator programs that provide hands-on support, domain expertise, and funding options specifically tailored for impact-driven businesses.
3. Rural and Urban Development - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore innovative approaches to address the needs of low-income communities and improve economic indicators through entrepreneurship and sustainable ventures.