Cisco to Invest in Aavishkaar II

Cisco will invest in Aavishkaar India II Company Ltd. (Aavishkaar II) and will collaborate with other investors to drive sustainable business models with social impact that utilize the power of the network.

Working with Aavishkaar, Cisco aims to take advantage of its expertise and promote technology-enabled inclusive growth in the area of social entrepreneurship.

Edzard Overbeek, president, Cisco Asia Pacific, Japan and Greater China said, “Investing in community-oriented initiatives such as Aavishkaar enables to positively impact economic and social development in the country.”

Over the past few years Cisco has committed up to $200 million of venture capital investments to the country, of which almost half has been utilized.

Vineet Rai, founder and managing partner at Aavishkaar, said: “Participation by Cisco in Aavishkaar II clearly demonstrates the opportunity that rural India holds for creating value and impact."