Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath is making bold bets on the big trends that will shape the future: climate technology, healthcare and sustainability. Through Rainmatter, Kamath has supported 47 startups over the past year, focusing on long-term impact rather than short-term returns.
“We are not a typical VC,” Kamath wrote on X. “What good is money if the planet we live on is destroyed and our health is ruined?”
Rainmatter focuses on sectors such as climate technology, fintech, healthcare and storytelling. With no exit mandate or board seat requirement, the fund provides patient capital.
It extends support beyond financing through mentorship, industry networks, financial APIs and infrastructure to help validate business models.
Kamath shared an article showing climate technology topping Rainmatter’s portfolio with ₹120 crore invested in 15 deals, reflecting its dominance in the fund’s strategy.
Healthcare follows closely with 16 investments, albeit of lower ticket size, while fintech secures ₹70 crore across eight deals, posting the highest average deal size at ₹8.75 crore per investment.
Storytelling and other experimental bets round out the portfolio with four deals each, highlighting Rainmatter’s balanced approach to high-impact and exploratory sectors.
One of Kamath’s key investments is Akshayakalpa, a company that is transforming rural farming practices by helping farmers adopt organic methods. “They go to villages, work with farmers and introduce sustainable practices like beekeeping and organic farming. It’s inspiring to see how this transforms revenues and influences neighboring communities,” he wrote in a previous article.
Another example is Two Brothers Organic Farms, which emphasizes holistic farming techniques. These investments reflect Kamath’s belief that food production and environmental impact will come under increasing scrutiny. “At some point, everyone will start to wonder what is behind the food on their table – pesticides, herbicides – especially after times like COVID,” he added.
Beyond investments, the Rainmatter Foundation supports broader climate and sustainability efforts. Kamath is pragmatic about deadlines but confident in the direction to take. “Will this happen in five or ten years? You don’t know. But betting on these fundamental truths makes sense.
