Deadline: Ongoing
Villgro is currently inviting entrepreneurs in India to pitch their 15 minutes business idea through its Unconventional pitch platform.
Villgro is one of India’s oldest and foremost social enterprise incubators. Villgro funds, mentors and incubates early-stage, innovation-based social enterprises that impact the lives of India’s poor. Since 2001, Villgro has worked with 94 innovators and provided Rs 59 million in seed funding.
At the Unconventional Pitch, budding entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their idea for a for-profit business with social impact, to a panel of experts comprising Villgro mentors, successful social entrepreneurs, social incubators and seed investors.
The pitch is a simple summary of the business model and your business plan i.e. the product or service, and how it addresses pain points in the market. Within the time limit, it should cover the following:
- Problem – Explain the problem your product or service would address.
- Solution – Explain how your product/service address the problem.
- Social Impact – How it benefits poor communities.
- Business Model – How the product or service will generate revenue (who pays you, your channels of distribution and your gross margins).
- Competition – Identify your competitors and competitive advantage (patent, algorithm, unique service model, etc.).
- Current Status – Explain the current status of your product or service, accomplishments till date and use of funds.
- Future projection – Explain the fund requirement and financial projection for next 3 to 5 years.
- Entrepreneur/Team – Details about the Founding team and senior management team/Board.
Thematic Areas
Your idea/business must have high impact on rural or urban poor i.e bottom of pyramid, in the sectors of:
- Energy
- Healthcare
- Agriculture and rural business
- Education
Benefits
- 1.5 lakh cash prize for pitch winner.
- The chance to be incubated by Villgro and receive Rs 65 lakh funding, hands-on mentoring and talent support, connect to investor networks.
- An exclusive session with Villgro mentors.
- Feedback on your business from a panel of investors, incubators, entrepreneurs.
- Networking with potential partners, freelancers, investors.
- Chance to make an elevator pitch to the event audience.
Eligibility Criteria
- Submissions may be entered as individuals or teams (max. 4) . Only the individual or the team members who have registered may pitch to the panel of judges and answer questions
- Enterprises at two stages are eligible to pitch:
- Idea Stage: An idea stage social enterprise has a problem-solution definition and the enterprise idea for social innovation on the drawing board and is still developing a prototype to pilot. The idea must be developed as a for-profit model.
- Early Enterprise Stage: enterprise has a prototype of its product or service and has conducted a significant number of pilots in the field, or is already in operation. It must have conducted one pilot at least.
- If the submission is an idea, a proof of concept (E.g. prototype) is required
- Enterprises which have been in operation for more than 3 years from the date of the pitch competition will not be considered.
How to Apply
Applicants must register online and be present to pitch and bring the form. Applicants will be notified ahead of time if you are selected to pitch.
For more information please visit the Link.
