CM unveils Rs 100cr target venture fund to back Mizoram startups

Aizawl: Mizoram CM Lalduhoma on Wednesday launched the Mizoram Bana Kaih (Hand Holding) Venture Capital Fund and the Startup Readiness Level (SRL) framework under the Mizoram Startup Mission, with implementation led by the planning & programme Implementation Department in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Addressing the gathering, Lalduhoma said Mizoram has long had talented individuals with innovative ideas, but many ventures failed to scale due to weak support systems. He said entrepreneurs often struggled with limited access to start-up capital, insufficient mentorship and a lack of clear pathways to build sustainable businesses.


Lalduhoma said the Bana Kaih Venture Capital Fund was designed to bridge these gaps, stressing that it is “neither a grant nor a donation, but an investment built on trust and confidence.” He said the fund will back entrepreneurs with strong growth potential, particularly those working on scalable and innovative business models, skill-based and industry-oriented products, and technology-driven enterprises.

Lalrinzuala, CEO of the Mizoram Startup Mission, said the Bana Kaih Venture Capital Fund has a target corpus of Rs 100 crore, with the state govt committing Rs 20 crore and the remainder to be mobilised from other sources. He said the pooled fund will be registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as a trust named Senhri Investment Fund, and that reputed operating partner companies will be engaged.

He said the fund will operate under SEBI regulations while focusing on providing legally compliant financial support to Mizoram-based entrepreneurs for startup creation and business expansion.