16 June 2018, Bangalore: Unitus Ventures, one of India’s leading early-stage impact venture fund investing in startups innovating for the masses has impacted over 1.8 Mn low-income lives as of December 2017. Highlights from the recently released 2017 annual impact report reveal portfolio companies have generated revenues in excess of INR 225 cr ($33 Mn), created over 7000 active jobs and impacted lives of people across 29 Indian states at a growth rate of 111%. Unitus’ investments spread across four core sectors including education, healthcare, fintech and business services that focus on serving and impacting the Base of the Economic Pyramid (BoP).
Unitus Ventures and its portfolio companies aim to benefit, influence, and improve the functioning of the overall startup ecosystem in India, along with creating scaled impact. The investments are at the intersection of where the county’s most pressing needs meet the greatest opportunities, not just in terms of capital but also innovation.
Srikrishna Ramamoorthy, Partner at Unitus Ventures said, “The entrepreneurs Unitus supports are seeing an ever-increasing demand for quality products and services that deliver to the needs of the low-income masses in India. The cumulative 1.8 Mn lives touched with 111% YoY increase shows they are on the right path.”
Unitus Ventures has aligned its impact with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Aimed at sustainable development, these goals are a universal call to action for ending poverty, protecting the planet, etc. Unitus has measured impact using various parameters –
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Social Impact
Over 1.8 Mn lives directly impacted in 2017 as compared to 855k in 2016, seeing a growth of 111 % over a year. 7,023 active jobs were created in 2017 from 5,989 jobs in 2016, representing a 17% growth.
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Financial Impact
INR 225 cr ($33 Mn) aggregate revenue generated by the portfolio in 2017 growing at 104% from INR 85 cr ($12.6 Mn) in 2016. Also, portfolio companies raised 4.1x additional capital in 2017.
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Ecosystem Impact
Portfolio companies continuously engage with global and local networks and strategic partners to further their business objectives. Through Unitus Ventures they have connected with 75+ advisors and over 40+ strategic partners.
Unitus Ventures recently announced the first close of INR 100 cr ($1 Bn) of its INR 300 cr ($3 Bn) second fund. Marquee investors in the fund include Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Bill Gates, Hemendra Kothari and others. Unitus plans to invest between INR 5 cr ( $50 Mn) to INR 15 cr ($150 Mn) in 25-30 startups in healthcare, education and inclusive fintech by 2021.
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About Unitus Ventures
Unitus Ventures is the leading impact venture fund investing in businesses innovating for the masses in India with a focus on healthcare, education and financial technology. Unitus Ventures is part of the Unitus Group, a premier financial services group operating in India and other emerging markets since 2000. Unitus is based in Bangalore and is a member of the Capria Network, the leading global network for impact fund managers.
