Upaya's focused accelerator program allows us to support a larger number of entrepreneurs and their business ideas. Workshops are typically held over a 4-month period and culminate in an Investor Showcase, which puts entrepreneurs directly in front of impact investors and other potential partners. Out of each accelerator cohort, Upaya selects one to three businesses in which to make investments.
When selecting participants for our cohorts, Upaya prioritizes companies that demonstrate strong potential to create hundreds, if not thousands, of dignified and reliable jobs for people in their communities, helping to lift those jobholders, and their families, out of extreme poverty.
Watch the video above to hear from the entrepreneurs in Upaya’s first cohort talk about their experience in Upaya’s accelerator program.
“This has been an incredible learning experience for me. Loved Upaya's personalised and detail-oriented approach towards its cohort members. Today, I am more confident about my organisation’s financial model and strategy and can say that we are Investor Ready due to this program.”
- Sonali, Nugu Handmade, 2019 Cohort
“It was one of the most value-adding programs! We were guided on topics most relevant to the business and then got enough space and time to reflect and implement. The diligent follow-up made a world of difference! All of us in the cohort can actually work together on so many things in the future because we are all working towards creating impact where it’s needed the most.”
Varun, THOA, 2020 Cohort
