Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The competent authority has approved funding commitments worth Rs 7,131 crore for 19 fund managers under the first cohort of the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF). The approved cohort comprises 14 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and five Focused Research Organisations (FROs), which are expected to support research, development and innovation in India.
The initiative could create opportunities across research-driven sectors by improving access to funding for innovation and technology development.
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LIST OF 14 APPROVED AIFS
The 14 Alternative Investment Funds approved under the first cohort of RDIF are listed below:
- Speciale Invest Growth Fund
- YourNest Capital Advisors
- Sixth Sense Ventures
- Chiratae Ventures
- Kalaari Capital Partners India
- Celesta India AIF Managers
- AdvantEdge Investment Managers
- IvyCap Ventures Advisors
- Ideaspring Capital Fund
- Blume Ventures Investment Manager
- TVS Capital Funds
- AMA Capital Advisors
- Translation Endeavors
- Campus
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AMONG APPROVED ORGANISATIONS
The five Focused Research Organisations (FROs) include organisations associated with IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay and BITS Pilani, among others.
The approvals bring research-linked institutions and investment managers into the first cohort of the RDIF scheme, aimed at supporting India’s research and innovation ecosystem.
WHAT IS THE RDI SCHEME?
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2025, the 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme aims to strengthen India’s research ecosystem by providing long-term funding for high-risk, high-impact research and emerging technologies.
The scheme seeks to bridge funding gaps in private sector research and help India develop globally competitive technologies and products.
HOW WILL THE APPROVED FUND MANAGERS WORK?
The 19 approved fund managers will channel RDI funding to eligible technology enterprises involved in research, development and innovation. They are also expected to mobilise private capital equivalent to their RDI contributions to encourage greater private investment in technology development.
The scheme is managed by an Independent Business Unit under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which functions under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The first application round for fund managers began in January 2026. Proposals underwent a multi-stage evaluation before being considered by the ANRF Executive Council and the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) for approval.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
