The/Nudge Launches Rs. 250 Crore TILT Impact Fund to Back Startups Solving Real India Problems

The/Nudge Foundation has launched TILT, a Rs. 250 crore impact-focused venture fund for early-stage startups in India. The fund is meant for businesses that are not only chasing growth, but also trying to solve everyday problems for low-income and underserved communities.

TILT will mainly invest in Seed to Series A startups. Its cheque size will range from Rs. 2 crore to Rs. 16 crore, which gives young companies enough room to build, test, hire, and expand without rushing only for short-term numbers.

What is TILT impact fund

TILT is an impact-first investment platform backed by The/Nudge Foundation. In simple words, it is a fund for startups that want to create social value along with business value.

The fund will look at companies working in areas such as livelihoods, agriculture, MSMEs, climate resilience, employability, financial inclusion, informal work, market access, and tech-led solutions for income growth.

This means TILT is not looking only for apps made for urban users. It is more interested in startups that can help farmers earn better, small businesses become more productive, workers find reliable jobs, or families access useful financial services.

The/Nudge founder and background

The/Nudge Foundation was founded in 2015 by Atul Satija. The Bengaluru-based organization works on poverty alleviation and livelihood improvement.

Over the years, The/Nudge has supported many social enterprises through grants, mentoring, and ecosystem support. According to reports, it has backed over 190 social enterprises and deployed around Rs. 180 crore in grants. TILT now takes that experience into a venture investment model.

Richa Singh is the co-founder and managing partner of TILT, while Atul Satija is also associated with TILT as founder and managing partner.

Who can benefit from this fund

The biggest beneficiaries will be early-stage founders building for India’s “next billion” users. These are people who may not always be served well by mainstream digital products, banks, job platforms, or supply chains.

For example, a startup helping small shop owners manage inventory and credit could benefit. So could a company building climate-resilient tools for farmers, a platform connecting rural youth to jobs, or a fintech startup making credit easier for low-income workers.

Startups serving MSMEs may also find this fund useful. Many small businesses in India still depend on informal systems for finance, sales, and operations. If a startup can improve their income or efficiency with a practical product, it fits the larger TILT vision.

Purpose of the Rs. 250 crore fund

The purpose is not just to write cheques. TILT wants to offer patient capital, which means funding that gives startups more time to build in difficult markets.

Impact startups often need longer timelines because their customers may be spread across rural areas, low-income groups, or informal sectors. Distribution is harder, trust takes time, and revenue may grow slowly at first.

Along with capital, TILT plans to support startups with research, partnerships, market access, and ecosystem-building help. That extra support can matter a lot when a founder is working in agriculture, jobs, climate, or financial inclusion.

Competitors and similar funds

TILT will operate in a space where funds like Aavishkaar Capital, Omnivore, Elevar Equity, Acumen, Ankur Capital, and Unitus Ventures have also backed impact-led or inclusion-focused startups.

The difference TILT may try to bring is The/Nudge’s long experience with livelihood-focused social enterprises and its network across philanthropy, entrepreneurs, and development work.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

The/Nudge’s Rs. 250 crore TILT impact fund could become an important funding source for founders solving practical problems for underserved India.

It will benefit early-stage startups working in jobs, agriculture, MSMEs, financial inclusion, climate resilience, and market access. For founders building serious businesses with social impact at the core, TILT brings both capital and patient support.