The Tata group announced the commencement of the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge 2015­-16, a joint initiative with the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM­C) to find India’s most promising early ­stage social enterprises. The endeavor of the challenge is to create an ecosystem for social entrepreneurship and encourage sustainable, scalable and measurable social impact.

Teams who either have an early stage venture (not older than 3 years) or a promising idea with a plan, that can create sustainable social impact in India, can submit their business plans online.

The ventures will be judged on three parameters ­ Business Model, Social Impact and Sustainability.

Thematic Areas

Impact Proposals (detailed Business Plans) are invited in the areas of agriculture, food and dairy, healthcare, water and sanitation, technology and development, education & skills development, housing, handicrafts, energy and microfinance/financial inclusion.

Prizes Includes:

1. Cash Grants: The top 3 winners of the competition will win cash grants up to 2 lakhs,each, to be invested in their ventures.
2. Incubation:The teams which make it to the grand finale will be given an opportunity to pitch for incubation at IIM Calcutta.
3. Funding Opportunity: All teams shortlisted for the semi-finals and finals will have an opportunity to pitch to India’s largest social VCs for seed funding.
4. Mentorship: 3 week mentorship support provided to all short-listed teams leading up to a two-day residential mentorship program on IIMC campus.

Eligibility Criteria

• Teams who either have an early stage venture (not older than 3 years) or a promising idea with a plan, that can create sustainable social impact in India, can submit their business plans online.
• The Challenge also invites the general public to nominate, through the initiative’s website, social enterprises they know who fit the eligibility criteria.

Past Winners

Winners of last season:

1. SAANS­ Every Breath is Precious: SAANS is an India­based Medical Technology start­up (under development at Coeo Labs, a Bangalore based medical device company), committed to developing cheap and affordable medical innovations for critical unmet needs. Low cost and easy to use mechanical Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, which is used to maintain a constant pressure, and constant air flow to keep the lungs of newborns and infants open during troubled breathing.
2. GWWSPC (Godavari Women Weaver’s Services Producer Company): The business model adopted by this producer organisation is strengthening the weaver base by collectivisation and integrating the entire value chain involved in the handloom process. Since, member weavers are the decision­making authority for every activity in this value chain, the margins added at each level due to value addition go to the weavers and members working for the producer company.
3. Ultrasafe Ultrasound: Ultrasafe Ultrasound uses a patented technology that automatically prevents the identification of genitalia in live images produced by ultrasound machines. The technology uses customised image recognition software that detects and censors the foetal genitalia in ultrasound images thus preventing discerning of the gender of the child. The “Ultrasafe Ultrasound Box” can be retrofitted into existing sonography machines.

How to Apply?

Applicants can apply online by logging into Tata Social Enterprise Challenge website.

For more information and to apply online, please visit Tata Social Enterprise Call for Applications.