Brigade Group partners with Nikhil Kamath's Gruhas to launch Rs 300 crore Earth Fund

Real estate developer Brigade Group has partnered with Gruhas, the investment venture led by Nikhil Kamath and Abhijeet Pai, to launch The Earth Fund.

The fund is called as India's first real estate tech and sustainability-focused investment fund set up under Zoiros Projects Private Limited.

The Rs 200 crore SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), with an additional Rs 100 crore green-shoe option, aims to back high-growth startups solving challenges in the built world through sustainability and innovation.

Participation from industry stalwarts

The Earth Fund is led by industry stalwarts, including Nirupa Shankar, Joint MD of Brigade Enterprises Limited; Abhijeet Pai and Nikhil Kamath, Co-founder of Gruhas; and Mohan Parvatikar, Independent Director of Zoiros Projects Private Limited.

Additionally, a team of seasoned professionals will bring deep expertise in real estate, venture capital, and entrepreneurship.

Investment strategy and focus

Earth Fund will invest in pre-Series A and Series-A tech startups innovating in real estate, construction, and sustainability. The fund seeks to invest $1-2 million in startups that have a demonstrated product market fit and are looking for capital to scale their solutions.

It aims to have a portfolio of 10 to 15 startups through an initial check and reserves for follow-on rounds. Earth Fund will focus on areas across UrbanTech - covering proptech, construction tech, real estate solutions, and asset utilization; and Sustainability, including climate tech, clean tech, smart mobility, and energy solutions.

Notably, multiple startups are already being considered for Earth Fund and investments are expected to be announced shortly, the release notes.

Providing strategic support

Through this partnership, Gruhas, with its experience investing in more than 50 startups across proptech, climate tech, sustainability, and consumer sectors, will play a key role in identifying and nurturing high-impact ventures.

Brigade REAP, which has invested in over 80 companies over the last 8 years across the urban tech and sustainability value chain through its REAP Accelerator and Investment program, will be able to support investee companies beyond just capital with industry integration, market access, go-to-market acceleration, strategic fundraising, and growth support.

Leadership comments

Commenting on the initiative, Nirupa Shankar, Joint Managing Director of Brigade Enterprises Limited, said, “The uniqueness of Earth Fund is its focus on Urbantech and Sustainability solutions for the built world. By leveraging the resources and expertise of Brigade Group and Gruhas, our aim is to identify and support startups that will redefine urban development and drive long-term value."

Shankar said the goal of the fund is bridge the gap between traditional real estate and cutting-edge technology, fostering an ecosystem for sustainable and efficient urban solutions.

"We will draw on our last 8 years of experience in running Asia’s first UrbanTech Accelerator, Brigade REAP, to ensure that investment decisions are backed by extensive industry research and hands-on engagement with our portfolio companies," she said.

"This will enable Earth Fund's startups to navigate the complexities of the real estate sector and scale faster than their counterparts. Brigade REAP has shown us the transformative potential of UrbanTech startups, and Earth Fund will further support these innovative ventures," Shankar added.

"With India's population surpassing 1.4 billion, modernizing our built environment is more urgent than ever. Earth Fund isn't just capital; it's a catalyst for change. We back PropTech and sustainability startups with funding, industry integration, and strategic mentorship. By bridging traditional real estate with emerging technologies, we're accelerating ventures that redefine urban spaces, construction, and resource efficiency. Through strategic partnerships, we're shaping a future where smart infrastructure, green buildings, and AI-powered urban planning become the new standard," said Abhijeet Pai, Co-Founder of Gruhas.