'No one gives funds to start-ups, we do': Ratan Tata's Rs 900 million plan

Social impact venture, which has seeded over 20 start-ups, looks to build infrastructure to support research

An initiative given a go-ahead by Tata Trusts chairman Ratan Tata to help start-ups is set to enter phase two by rolling out lab-style facilities across the country.

The venture, which is both a social impact fund as well as a business incubator, was set up 18 months ago, and has funded close to two dozen companies across businesses that range from cleaning the Ganga to building low-cost robotic exoskeletons for disabled workers. 

FISE or the Foundation for Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship — set up by Manoj Kumar, who serves as Tata Trusts senior advisor — is supported by the