The Centre has committed Rs 10,000 crore to a new SME Growth Fund. Here is what the fund is and who it will help.The SME Growth Fund (SGF) is a pool of long-term equity for small and medium enterprises that are ready to scale up. It was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, and the Cabinet gave it a fixed financial commitment on October 6.The money will be routed through an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) set up under the fund's framework. From there, it will be invested directly in high-potential SMEs.The government says the fund fills a clear gap. Existing equity funds mostly support early-stage firms and micro enterprises. There is little growth capital for established small and medium firms.Most of the allocation will go to manufacturing-focused SMEs. Firms in services, technology and innovation-driven sectors will also be backed, including units in Tier II and Tier III industrial clusters.The fund is meant to create champion Indian companies that can compete globally, tying into the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal. Watch next for the appointment of fund managers and the first investments.