Santa Clara, Calif. and Mumbai, India, 27 August 2025 — Aavishkaar Foundation, a part of the Aavishkaar Group, with its vision around building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, announced a strategic partnership for developing deeper connections across the social entrepreneurship ecosystem with Miller Center for Global Impact at Santa Clara University, a pioneering hub that accelerates social entrepreneurship to end global poverty and protect the planet, blending Silicon Valley innovation with the University’s commitment to social justice.
The collaboration between Miller Center and Aavishkaar Foundation is rooted in a shared commitment to strengthen the social enterprise ecosystem through joint initiatives and referrals. Under this partnership, Aavishkaar will create a pipeline of promising social enterprises for Miller Center’s accelerator, , explore joint fundraising efforts including the potential development of an India-specific accelerator and enable cross-referrals of accelerator alumni for investment consideration by Aavishkaar. Additionally, both parties aim to co-create value focused on investment readiness, impact metrics, and storytelling. All joint activities will be designed for ecosystem-building efforts.
The partnership will further explore opportunities to identify and mentor quality startups and impact entrepreneurs and build long-term strategic relationships to activate the overall impact entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem across emerging markets. Speaking about the partnership, Vineet Rai, Founder, Aavishkaar Group said, “At Aavishkaar, we believe in building bridges between bold ideas and deep impact. Our collaboration with Miller Center reflects a shared commitment to nurturing social enterprises that can transform underserved communities. By combining global expertise with local insight, we aim to catalyze scalable solutions that are both investment-ready and mission-driven.”
Jeff Pilisuk, Director of Partnerships at Miller Center for Global Impact, said, “When catalytic capital meets deep capacity-building, social entrepreneurs gain the power to transform entire communities. This partnership between Aavishkaar and Miller Center will spark the growth of bold ideas and sustainable ventures that can redefine impact across India and beyond.”
Through the cross-pollination of startups from the impact community and innovation programs, Aavishkaar Group through the Aavishkaar Foundation and Miller Center for Global Impact, will aim to strengthen, scale and support startups through innovation, insights and impact.
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About Aavishkaar Group
Aavishkaar Group is a global pioneer in taking an entrepreneurship-based approach towards development. The Group‘s platforms are focused on developing the impact ecosystem in the continents of Asia and Africa and manages assets in excess of USD 1.45 Billion across Equity and Credit. With 9,800+ employees present across India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Kenya, the Group has so far disbursed capital in excess of USD 5.1 Billion and supported 144 million underserved customers.
The Group’s ecosystems include Aavishkaar Capital – Impact fund manager focused on Global South, Arohan-One of India’s largest and most digitally advanced microfinance institution (MFI) targeting low income households, Ashv Finance- Phygital NBFC, offering unique cash flow based business loans to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Aavishkaar Foundation — A Section 8 Company, to solve the ‘Need for ‘Grant-based intervention’ to a level where ‘risk capital’ can play a meaningful role to create impact, Aavishkaar Carbon — A carbon asset development, management, trading and technology platform and Intellecap — Global Impact advisory firm providing Consulting, Investment banking and Inclusive networking platform.
Over the last two decades, the Group has taken an entrepreneurship approach towards development. By leveraging capital, knowledge and networks, the Group provides a strong differentiated capability as an Impact platform, with each business rooted in strong fundamental and common principles of access, inclusion and sustainability. The Group actively contributes to 15 out of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About Miller Center for Global Impact
For nearly 30 years, Miller Center for Global Impact has been a leader in advancing social entrepreneurship to end poverty and protect the planet. With a focus on climate resilience and women’s economic power, Miller Center accelerates social enterprises aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Based at Santa Clara University, the center blends the innovation of Silicon Valley with a deep commitment to social justice and global impact. Miller Center has supported more than 1,500 social enterprises across over 100 countries.
