NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore launches its rural entrepreneurship incubation program

Bangalore: NSRCEL- the innovation and entrepreneurship hub of IIM Bangalore launched the rural entrepreneurship incubation program to boost, enhance and strengthen the entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem in rural India. Focusing on actions
for balanced inclusive development and to bridge socio-economic gaps, the program is
aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods and - employment opportunities in remote rural
areas.

It further aims to attract, enrich and develop emerging entrepreneurial talent to solve
problems of rural India. “The pandemic has exposed the huge socio-economic gaps and
vulnerabilities in rural India, and there is a need to have sustainable and inclusive
development. With this program, we are shifting our lens from urban-focused founders to
those who are willing to bring visible changes in rural India," said Anand Sri Ganesh, COO, NSRCEL IIM Bangalore. 

The program was inaugurated by Chief Guest Mr. Charanjit Singh, Joint Secretary, Rural
Livelihoods, Ministry of Rural Development, and Mr. Arnab Mukherji, Professor, Centre for
Public Policy, and Founding Program Director – Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship, IIM
Bangalore with the NSRCEL team and rural pre-incubation ventures in attendance. 

NSRCEL, whose work has impacted over 1,15,600 entrepreneurs, now under this
collaboration, will provide support from top-of-the-line mentors from industry, academia,
the development sector and government. The shortlisted ventures will get an opportunity
to pitch for incubation and access to grants. It will also help participants with crucial aspects
of entrepreneurship such as how to stabilize the business including production, marketing
and distribution, scale and strengthen the business model, working with local governments.
The incubation program will also have a special focus on building and working with rural
communities to create long-term trust and livelihoods. 

Entrepreneurs in this program are a diverse mix, comprising young graduates of leading
universities, corporate sector professionals looking to cross over to the development sector
and development sector professionals.   

The nine rural enterprises that would be working with NSRCEL to create socio-economic
impact by generating rural livelihoods are: 
  
1.       Kalapuri/Nirvi Handicrafts: Kalapuri embraces artisan communities by providing new
opportunities, developing artisans into independent entrepreneurs, training and developing
artisan communities - providing a global market through the Kalapuri platform. 
  
2.       IVillage Social Solutions: IVillage trains rural women in manufacturing high-quality
products made by hand and machine-based stitching processes, allowing them to be
financially independent. 
  
3.       Indian Yards: Indian Yards upskills women from the communities in the Nilgiris to
become fine macrame artisans and subsequently enables them to become independent
producer groups. 
  
4.       Kulture Street: Kulture Street works towards building a brand that provides skilled
Indian artisans with greater market access (online/offline) and a community of loyal
customers who love Indian handmade products across the globe. 
  
5.       Ayang Trust: Ayang Trust's Livelihood program provides training and market access to
farmers in North-East India to help increase productivity and income   
  
6.       Bastar Se Bazar Tak: This venture works towards improving the livelihoods of tribal
farmers through non-timber forest produce. The venture works to create an additional
livelihood for Gramin Bastarian smallholders, reduce minor forest production losses, build
natural forest products, create flexible and supportive local employment through collective
action. 
  
7.       Karry Now: Karry Now is a delivery service for rural India, providing essentials and non-
essentials. The venture currently takes orders through phone calls but will be releasing a
WhatsApp chatbot and an application soon. 
  
8.       Mars Innovation - Growhitha: Growhitha is a fully customized and automated natural
manure maker which can prepare seven kinds of natural manures and reduces farmer
efforts by up to 90%. 
  
9.       Sahrudaya Foods: Sahrudaya aims to provide regional rural recipes that are tasty and
healthy. They also train the village women to deliver safe and hygienic products to your
doorstep.