Brigade Group and Gruhas Launch Earth Fund

In a groundbreaking move, Bengaluru-based real estate giant Brigade Group has teamed up with Gruhas, the investment venture of Nikhil Kamath and Abhijeet Pai, to introduce the Earth Fund. This Rs 300 crore initiative is set to revolutionize the real estate sector by focusing on technology and sustainability.

The Earth Fund, a Sebi-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), is poised to invest in early-stage startups that are transforming the built environment through innovative technology and sustainable practices. With an initial corpus of Rs 200 crore and an additional Rs 100 crore green-shoe option, the fund aims to deploy $1-2 million per investment across a diverse portfolio of 10-15 companies.

Focus Areas and Strategic Vision

Targeting pre-Series A and Series A startups in real estate, construction, and climate-focused technology, the Earth Fund will prioritize areas such as proptech, construction tech, asset utilization, smart mobility, energy solutions, and clean technology. Abhijeet Pai, co-founder of Gruhas, emphasizes the fund's unique approach to bringing a broader audience into PropTech and sustainability investments, highlighting the significant needs for energy efficiency and carbon reduction in India.

Nirupa Shankar, joint managing director of Brigade Enterprises, shares the strategic vision behind the Earth Fund, aiming to support more mature companies that have gained traction and offer ready solutions for the built world. The fund's investment strategy includes a mix of initial checks and reserves for follow-on rounds, with a focus on scalable innovations that promise strong adoption potential across real estate, urban infrastructure, and government projects.

Anticipated Impact and Future Plans

With the first investments expected to be announced in the coming months, the Earth Fund is on a mission to fully deploy its resources within the next two to three years, targeting a 10-year overall investment horizon. This initiative not only marks a significant step towards smarter, cleaner, and greener cities but also sets the stage for future expansions, with ambitions to scale this model further and drive transformative changes in the real estate sector.