Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath makes bold bets on the megatrends 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 over short-term returns.
“We are not a typical VC,” Kamath wrote at X. “What good is money if the planet we live on is destroyed and our health is destroyed?”
Rainmatter focuses on sectors such as climate technology, fintech, healthcare, and storytelling. With no exit mandate or board seat requirements, the fund provides patient capital.
It offers support beyond funding through mentorship, industry networks, financial APIs and infrastructure to help validate business models.
Kamath shared a post showing climate technology at the forefront of Rainmatter's investment portfolio, with Rs 120 crore invested across 15 deals, reflecting its dominance in the fund's strategy.
Healthcare follows closely with 16 investments albeit with lower ticket sizes, while fintech secures Rs 70 crore across eight deals, boasting the highest average deal size of Rs 8.75 crore per investment.
Storytelling and other experimental bets round out the portfolio with four deals each, underscoring Rainmatter's balanced approach to high-impact and exploratory sectors.
One of Kamath's major investments is Akshyakalpa, a venture that transforms 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 is inspiring to see how this is transforming revenue and impacting neighboring communities,” he had written in an earlier post.
Another example is Two Brothers Organic Farm, which emphasizes holistic farming methods. These investments reflect Kamath's belief that food production and environmental impact will come under increasing scrutiny. “At some point, everyone is going to start questioning what's going on with the food on their table — pesticides, herbicides — especially after a moment like COVID,” he added.
Beyond investments, the Rainmatter Foundation supports broader climate and sustainability efforts. Kamath is pragmatic about timelines but confident about direction. “Will it happen in five or ten years? you don't know But it makes sense to bet on these basic truths.