India to launch $1 bn innovation fund by June-July

India plans to launch a $1 billion fund by June-July, with an initial capital of Rs 500 crore ($97.02 million), to invest in innovations that can generate services and products to uplift the poor, a top government official told reporters on Monday.

"We need to provide money to those who have ideas but no seed capital," Sam Pitroda, adviser to Prime Minister on public information, infrastructure and innovation, said on the sidelines of an industry event.

The fund, named India Inclusive Innovation Fund, will invest in sectors such as agriculture, water, energy and healthcare, Pitroda said, after delivering the keynote address at Grid Week Asia Summit, organised by Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers' Association.

"It will have an initial investment, seed capital from the government. The Finance Ministry has already talked about allocating Rs 100 crore."

The fund intends to raise Rs 500 crore in its first phase. Pitroda said he was hopeful the Finance Minister would give out further details in the Budget for 2012-13.

The Budget for the fiscal ending March 2013 will be presented after elections scheduled in five states between the end of January and early March.

Pitroda did not say when the fund would be scaled up to $1 billion, citing uncertain economic conditions. "It will be a private fund, where the government is one of the investors," Pitroda said, adding the government's stake would not be more than 20%.

The fund is expected to generate modest returns of about 10-12%, as opposed to present industry standard of about 18-20%.

The government is in talks with foreign investors and has received "some interest from UK agencies, from IFC [International Finance Corp] and others".

It is also in advanced talks with various state and private banks in the country and other investors.