Seven of India's Social Entrepreneurship Incubators
RTBI:
Rural Technology Business Incubator is an initiative of IIT Madras. In the past 9 years of operations since inception, the not-for-profit society has incubated 41 companies with 14 of the already self sustained. RTBI also contributes in the form of journals, annual reports and case studies. It was formed under the aegis of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and World Bank’s Infodev arm. Risk assessment, service development and marketing services are also offered apart from infrastructure, admin and financing options.
Deshpande Foundation:
The foundation owns institutes such as The Deshpande Center for Social Entrepreneurship in Hubli, Karnataka, The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), in both the US and across India, LEAD - LEADer's Accelerating Development Program that works with students whose ideas for a better India stands the chance of being transformed into reality. The Deshpande Fellowship Program and the Educational Trusts aimed to innovate ideas and inspire entrepreneurial acumen among students. A specialized Master of Social Entrepreneurship course, which is a two year affiliated program, is also offered by the foundation which is affiliated with the Karnataka University Dharwad. The founder, GururaJ Deshpande is an Indian American VC cum entrepreneur who was appointed by President Barack Obama to the Co-Chairmanship of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a group established to support the US President's innovation strategy.
Action for India:
Headquartered in Bangalore with a chapter in Silicon Valley, California the NGO was launched in 2012 with an aim to leverage social innovations in India by helping them find investors, mentors, technology resources, and local partners. Apart from offering a fellowship for social entrepreneurs, the organization runs the annual Silicon Valley Challenge, winners of which are given the chance to spend 10 days in Silicon Valley to engage with leaders in technology and business. AFI also envision a network of 20 hubs across India by 2020 for social innovations.
Villgrow:
Focusing on sectors namely healthcare, education, agri-business and energy, Villgrow, since the 15 years of its inception has supported innovation that include low cost bio gas plant, affordable irrigation controller systems, low cost ventilator for ICU, BPO in rural India etc. The firm believes that possibility arises from the culmination of mentoring, talent, funding and effective networking which Villgrow has in place for wannabe social entrepreneurs.