The SME fund you mention is not part of these investments – at least not listed on the Google.org website. However, if you want more information on it try to contact Reuben Abraham, who is tasked with setting it up.

I know of a few other funds, but it depends what kind of startup you’re looking at. Feel free to discuss this offline, and I’ll see what I can get you.

Interesting analysis.

As part of my work for UNEP on support for ’sustainable’ SMEs in 2007, I had a chance to interact with folks at Google.org for their SME initiative, which they launched in 2008. They have also launched an investment fund in India this year looking for ‘promising’ start-ups / smes, partnering with Soros Fund & Omidyar.

I wonder if the numbers you presented for India include Google.org’s investments in this fund. It is difficult to find information about this fund, as to what’s its mandate, the kind of sectors it focuses on etc etc.

But all in all, what’s interesting for me is the increasing recognition of mainstream small enterprises as drivers of social and economic change.

Are you aware of other players in the philanthropic sector active in India and looking to fund mainstream startups here?

All the best from Punjab
Inderpreet