ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Program benefits
Access to Upaya funding (up to $50,000 equity investment in each company). Upaya selects 1-3 enterprises for investment from each cohort.
Additional access to investors through pitch and networking opportunity to bring on as co-investors.
5-month long program, involves three class room workshops focusing on helping companies improve their business model in three functions – Finance, Marketing & Sales and Organizational Development
Hand-on support (Consulting Projects) where Upaya team/ Mentors or Experts work with the companies on mutually identified gap areas in the business that need to be addressed.
Additionally, support in helping companies refine their business plan, pitch deck and financial model.
Provide access to network of experts, investors and mentors.
The cost for travel and logistics for the program will be covered by Upaya Social Ventures.
PROGRAM THEMES
Rural Manufacturing
Rural manufacturing can create jobs that lessen the impetus for poor individuals to move to over-crowded cities. By setting up a small factory or delivering specialized equipment, a small business can provide employment for both artisans and villagers who can source raw materials.
Skill Building
The Indian government has set a goal of 500 million skilled workers by 2022 but currently, less than 5% of the organized workforce is formally skilled. Upaya sees a unique niche in supporting businesses that marry skilling to job placement and that formalize informal sectors, like rag-picking and domestic caregiving.
Agribusiness
Half the Indian population depends in some way on agriculture for their living and over 100M Indian farmers try to earn livings from small (<2 HA) farms. We aim to find the businesses making farming viable and profitable by working throughout the value chain: inputs, farmers, traders, food processors, retailers.
