This Entrepreneur Wants to Fight for Clean Air with His 'Green Fund' This is not the first time when Paytm's founder has taken up an initiative to save environment

By Komal Nathani

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Wikipedia

Paytm's founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma has not been away from the news headlines since the time demonetization hit India.

From the controversial news pieces on him to all the good news about the company's revenues and its growth stature, Sharma has been a consistent part of media reports in the last two years.

This time again, he has won the headline show with his massive launch for green solutions.

To reduce the rising pollution levels, Paytm CEO Sharma has partnered with academia, R&D labs, mentors, professionals and venture funds across the country. He has also partnered with venture capitalist Shailesh Vickram Singh to launch a green fund, said the press release in the launch of the event.

The "Green Fund' is the fundamental contribution for the betterment of environment. The objective of the fund is to undertake investments in start-ups, companies and individuals working for the agenda of pollution reduction aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The aim of this initiative by Sharma is to drive an investment worth INR 150 million in various sectors by next year. Sharma's plan is to gather the complete business community that will include everyone from start-ups to investors to the established businesses of India in a bid to save environment.

This is not the first time when Paytm's founder has taken up an initiative to save environment .

The king of Indian digital banking has time and again being credited for his contributions and keen interest to save environment.

Sharma has been honoured as UN Environment Patron of Clean Air from India for the commitment to save environment worldwide in December 2017.

Also, in an interaction with HR Media in 2016, Sharma many times reiterated his interest and concern for environment and clean air. He has also said that he is open to invest hopping amount of INR 10 crore in startups which are working for environment sustainability.

This Fund has also formed an incubator called "GoMassive" which is working closely with leading educational and research institutions such as NRDC, IIT Delhi & IIM Lucknow and Sustainable India Finance Facility (SIFF), according to the press release. GoMassive is running boot camps and conducting hackathons across Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai & Bangalore to groom young startup teams to foster a spirit of green energy-led entrepreneurship.

The big goals for the green fund have been set by the founder and CEO of PayTm. And we definitely can't wait to see how the Sharma would revolutionize the entire business community with his keen initiatives for environment in the coming years.

Komal Nathani

Former Correspondent, Entrepreneur Asia Pacific

A firm believer of hard work and patience. Love to cover stories that hold a potential to change the momentum of business world. Currently, a part of all-women web team of Entrepreneur’s Asia Pacific edition to jig the wheel of business journalism!

Leadership

The Difference Between Entrepreneurs Who Survive Crises and Those Who Don't

In a business world accelerated by AI, visibility alone is fragile. Here's how strategic silence and consistency can turn reputation into your most powerful asset.

Business News

Gold Prices Are Higher Than Ever. Here's How Much a Costco Gold Bar Purchased in 2024 Is Worth Today.

A one-ounce Costco bar is worth $870 more now than it was a year ago.

Business News

United Airlines Says It Is Adding Extra Flights in Case Spirit 'Suddenly Goes Out of Business'

Rival airlines, including United and Frontier, are adding new routes as Spirit cuts 12 cities from its schedule.

Business News

AI Could Cause 99% of All Workers to Be Unemployed in the Next Five Years, Says Computer Science Professor

Professor Roman Yampolskiy predicted that artificial general intelligence would be developed and used by 2030, leading to mass automation.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Mark Zuckerberg 'Insisted' Executives Join Him For a MMA Training Session, According to Meta's Ex-President of Global Affairs

Nick Clegg, Meta's former president of global affairs, says in a new book that he once had to get on the mat with a coworker.