Pernod Ricard India Foundation

Overview

Pernod Ricard India Foundation (PRIF) is the Section-8 CSR vehicle of Pernod Ricard India, the Indian subsidiary of the global French spirits major Pernod Ricard. Established to deliver Pernod Ricard's commitment to corporate social responsibility in India, PRIF channels capital into programmes addressing social, environmental, and economic sustainability — with a particular focus on water stewardship, climate innovation, and circular-economy entrepreneurship.

Startup Programmes

PRIF is one of the most active corporate-CSR funders of climate and circular-economy startups in India, operating three flagship incubation partnerships:

• ADVAYA Plastic Circularity Innovation Launchpad — with SIIC, IIT Kanpur, supporting startups commercialising plastic waste circularity solutions
• Climate-Smart Agriculture cohorts — with NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, supporting agritech startups improving farmer resilience to climate shocks
• Circular Economy cohort — with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, supporting startups across waste-to-value and circular materials

Collectively, these initiatives have backed 75+ startups, diverted 5.5 lakh+ kg of waste from landfills, and created 400+ sustainable livelihoods.

Other Focus Areas

Beyond startup incubation, PRIF runs programmes across Water-Agriculture-Livelihoods, Education & Non-Agri Livelihoods, Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), Healthcare, Environmental Preservation, and Responsible Consumption. The 360° Water Stewardship Programme is the foundation's largest single-area focus.

Funding Model

PRIF supports startups exclusively through partner-incubator cohorts — it does not run a direct application portal. Startups typically receive milestone-linked grants of ₹5–25 lakh plus mentoring, lab access, and pilot opportunities with Pernod Ricard's value chain.

Who Should Apply

Early-stage startups in climate-smart agriculture, plastic circularity, water tech, sustainable livelihoods, and circular materials. Apply through cohort calls run by NSRCEL, SIIC IIT Kanpur, or IIM Calcutta Innovation Park.