Udaipur: HDFC Bank, one of India’s leading private sector banks, has launched the eighth edition of its flagship Parivartan Start-up Grants programme to empower social impact start-ups across the country. With a total allocation of ₹20 crore, the programme aims to support 50–60 early-stage ventures through partnerships with over 15 incubators and accelerators. Selected start-ups will receive grants of up to ₹50 lakh each, providing critical financial assistance to scale their innovative solutions.
The initiative has already onboarded prestigious incubators, including IIT Madras, IIM Ahmedabad Ventures, Villgro, ICAR Pusa Krishi, IIT Guwahati Bionest, ASPIRE – University of Hyderabad, IIM-Calcutta Innovation Park, i-Hub Gujarat, Kerala Start-Up Mission, and IFMR Catalyst AIC. Over the coming months, these incubators will invite applications from social entrepreneurs across India, culminating in Demo Day events where start-ups will gain visibility among investors, corporates, and media.
Strategic Focus on Impact-Driven Innovation
HDFC Bank’s Parivartan Start-up Grants programme aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focuses on six key areas:
- AI for Social Good
- Climate Innovation
- Financial Inclusion
- Agriculture & Sustainable Rural Economy
- Education & Livelihood Enhancement
- Gender Diversity & Inclusion
Selected start-ups will represent diverse regions across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and the North-East, ensuring broad national participation in social innovation.
Commitment to Social Innovation & Sustainable Growth
Kaizad Bharucha, DMD, HDFC Bank, emphasized the programme’s role in driving meaningful change.
“Our Parivartan Start-up Grants programme reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and addressing critical societal needs. By nurturing social start-ups focused on achieving SDG targets, we aim to build sustainable and inclusive solutions that benefit communities across India.”
Echoing this sentiment, Arup Rakshit, Group Head – Treasury, HDFC Bank, highlighted the programme’s long-term vision:
“Through strategic collaborations with incubators and accelerators, we are strengthening India’s start-up ecosystem. This initiative provides social entrepreneurs with resources and visibility to scale impactful solutions and contribute to the country’s development journey.”
A Legacy of Supporting Social Start-ups
Since its inception in 2017, the Parivartan Start-up Grants programme has backed over 400 start-ups through 120+ incubators, investing significant resources in India’s social innovation ecosystem. Now in its eighth year, the programme continues to drive sustainable impact by empowering entrepreneurs to create a better future.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.