Teach For India’s InnovatED program, designed to incubate and accelerate social enterprises in the education sector, hosted its 8th Incubation Cycle “The Pitch Event” at the National Bootcamp in Kolkata. Nine promising startups from the 2024 InnovatED cohort gathered to pitch their innovative solutions aimed at transforming India’s education ecosystem. The event, moderated by Ankit Vasudevan, Lead – Social Innovation at Teach For India, provided these entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to engage with an esteemed panel of ecosystem experts, broadening their visibility, learning, and support.
The participating startups interacted with a panel of stakeholders, which included Dr. Neepa Saha Sharma, GM CSR at CESC Ltd.; Pauline Laravoire, Co-Founder of Y-East and Sustainability Director at Techno India Group; Sauraveswar Sen, Founder, Catalyst Learning Services; Anna Tulika Gomes, SVP India; Soujit Das, Senior Manager at IIM Calcutta Innovation Park; Amrita Agrawal, Director of Classic Consultants; Aaquib Hussain, Founding Partner at Freeflow Ventures; Nidhi Rungta from InvestMyPaisa; and Aritra Ghosal, Founder of One Step Global, among others. This engagement allowed the cohort to refine their models and strategies with feedback from seasoned professionals in the education and impact sectors.
Meet the 2024 InnovatED Cohort Startups:
Efficient School (Aman Gupta) Location: Pune Focus: School transformation Model: A for-profit company providing a school app that simplifies administration and enhances parent-school communication. Background: Aman Gupta, a software engineer turned educator, applies his tech expertise to streamline school operations.
Project SWAYAM (Jyothi M) Location: Chennai Focus: Child-centric community education Model: Entrepreneurial training for students and skill development for parents through community-based production units. Background: Jyothi, a Geology graduate with a passion for arts and community service, focuses on entrepreneurial education through after-school programs.
Rowthiram Pvt Ltd (Kesava Murthy) Location: Pollachi, Coimbatore Focus: Socio-emotional learning (SEL) Model: Provides a whole-school SEL curriculum and adult SEL workshops for rural schools. Background: With 8 years of experience in the service and social sectors, Kesava emphasizes emotional well-being for students and educators.
Kalakriti Art School (Mantra Gurumurthy) Location: Pune Focus: Art education Model: The Artent Education Foundation offers a holistic art curriculum and teacher training, integrating art into mainstream education. Background: With 5 years in social development, Mantra specializes in instructional design and teacher training, promoting the importance of art education.
Safe Schools (Mathangi) Location: Chennai, Cuddalore, Bengaluru Focus: Child safeguarding Model: A 3C model (Consult, Coach, Certify) to ensure schools meet child safety standards, including audits, workshops, and certifications. Background: Mathangi, an educator with over a decade of experience, advocates for safe learning environments for children.
Bibli (Natasha Rajore) Location: Bengaluru Focus: English language learning Model: AI-enabled gamified app improving English literacy for children, piloted in low-income schools. Background: Natasha, with 12 years in education, integrates STEM and technology to promote sustainable learning models.
Anant Valley Public School (AVP) (Prerna Kaushik) Location: Delhi Focus: Accessible quality education Model: AVP School provides 21st-century skills to students, empowering them for higher education and career opportunities. Background: Prerna, with 8 years of experience in teaching and school leadership, aims to democratize education for all.
The Indian Sports Initiative (TISI) (Vaishnavi Nudurumati) Location: Pan India Focus: Sports excellence Model: A sports program focused on nurturing young athletes in Olympic sports like Archery and Table Tennis. Background: Vaishnavi, a decorated Taekwondo athlete, founded TISI during her Teach For India fellowship to make India a sports superpower.
Scholarlify (Vijay Roy) Location: Pune Focus: Scholarships and career development Model: Simplifies access to scholarships for students, especially girls and those from rural areas. Background: With 15 years in education, Vijay has helped secure scholarships for thousands of students and aims to support 100,000 students in the next five years.
At the heart of this Bootcamp was the belief that education can, and should, be a great equalizer. Each of these startups is a vital piece in the larger puzzle of India’s education reform. As the world rapidly evolves, so too must our approach to how we educate future generations. From socio-emotional learning to AI-driven literacy tools, these entrepreneurs are strengthening the education ecosystem.
What stood out most from the conversations at the Bootcamp was the sheer diversity of thought and approach, united by a common thread of impact. The innovators are not just bridging the gaps in a system—they are reimagining what it can look like from the ground up. Their solutions are designed not just for students but for entire communities.
InnovatED’s role in nurturing these ideas is crucial, and the journey for these founders is just beginning. With the continued support of mentors, investors, and partners, there is hope that these ventures will not only sustain but thrive, reshaping the future of education in India.
About InnovatED InnovatED is Teach For India’s national platform for incubating its Alumni looking to build impactful organisations in education.
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Catalyst have been an excellent experience for me. Saurveswear Sen sir is an excellent mentor as he believes in interaction between teacher and student. Sir is very supportive and always available for all the support and help required.
I joined Catalyst in the month of November, 2021. I was keen to pursue my career in the field of social sector and Catalyst has been the perfect platform for me where I got guidance extensively by both Sauraveshwar Sir and Team. They have a well articulated plan for the aspirants to balance between all the subjects required to focus on for the competitive examinations. Along with Mathematics, Reasoning and Vocabulary, we had a separate website where we could go through the entire General Knowledge and General Studies which will be useful for the exams. There are separate one - to - one sessions as well by Sauraveshwar sir himself along with doubt clearing classes. We also attended various seminars and workshops on the prevailing social issues and on the solutions so as to curb it down. It has been a wonderful experience with Catalyst!
Catalyst has literally been the path of direction in leading me into my area of actual interests and especially fully utilize my potentials. It provides a vast source of resources in terms of networking, all the the necessary updates in the social sector. Saureshwar sir has been the most humble mentor, and has been supportive even beyond the course and been in touch continuously. Catalyst has been a great decision in my life for sure!
Catalyst has been a great experience for me. Sauraveswar sir is an incredible teacher. He teacher us each and every topic with ease and even repeats it for us. He has been available all the time over phone. Whenever I used to feel nervous for vivas or exams I used to call him up. All the topics that came in our exam was explained thoroughly by sir. It was really great journey with catalyst. I can't even imagine that I could enroll myself in Symbiosis. I always used to dream but sir helped me in turning my dream into a reality.
It has been a great learning experience and journey with Catalyst Learning Services. I had enrolled in Catalyst in the year 2014. I was aspiring to study Masters and I required preparations for the competitive examination. The structured academic planning helped me to prepare for the exam. The classes were informative and insightful, and my doubts would be cleared as well. I was given study materials and questionnaires on the concepts taught, that helped me to strengthen my analytical, quantitative and qualitative skills sets. Overall I had a learning experience studying in Catalyst. I was able to pass the competitive examination and the following rounds. I got admissions in the Masters Programme in 2015. I sincerely thank Catalyst Learning Services for helping me in preparations and guiding me in the journey.
I got to know about Catalyst via What's app group. Before joining, they will take an orientation where they will try to understand your requirement and help you to see how can they help you. Going forward it was a smooth journey. They were there on every step and always a call away.
It is a great learning space. It has given me the opportunity to push myself further to the edge at which I never thought I could have ever reach. Thorough learning and exercising has helped me overcome my many fears. Words would fall short to express the gratitude and gratefulness to this place.
I found about Catalyst through a random Google search. At that very time I was not very sure about which career path I should choose that will be best for me. After connecting with Sauraveshwar sir in catalyst. I could get a sense of what I should do next after my undergrad. As I joined catalyst during covid year, it really helped me a lot to get through a lot of entrance exams. The materials provided from catalyst helped me a lot in preparing better for the exams. Also, the guidance I received from sir was very useful not just for the exams but also for life ahead.
One of the best platform to learn and grow in such an amazing atmosphere. I thank the mentor as well as founder Sauraveswar Sen Sir for putting his effort and creating a holistic purview in every students mind who has been with catalyst as he has served the purpose and keeps on doing the same after we have finished our courses as well.
When I first joined Catalyst, I had little to no idea of what I was going to do after graduation. Sauraveshawar Sir guided me day in and day out to help me come to a conclusion about my plans for Masters. It has been a wonderful experience.
Are you interested in a rewarding career with the social sector – sustainability – climate action ? Register for a Career Mapping Session. Here are some ways Catalyst can help you:
Entrance Exam Preparation: Catalyst provides specialised coaching and guidance for various entrance exams related to social sciences, public policy, and development studies. This includes exams for admissions into top institutions like TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), IIT, IIPH (Indian Institutes of Public Health), Azim Premji University, and others. Comprehensive study materials, mock exams, and expert guidance are provided to ensure students are well-prepared.
Career Mapping: Catalyst offers career mapping services to help individuals identify their strengths, interests, and career goals within the social sector. This includes helping students understand the various career paths available, such as social work, public health, development studies, and more.
Skill Development: The social sector demands a unique skill set. Catalyst conducts skill development programs that focus on essential skills like research, data analysis, project management, and communication. These skills are vital for success in roles related to policy analysis, program management, and advocacy.
Internship and Project Support: Catalyst assists students in finding relevant internships and projects within the social sector. This hands-on experience is invaluable for building practical skills and understanding real-world challenges in areas like healthcare, education, and community development.
Interview Preparation: For students aiming to secure admissions to prestigious institutions or land jobs in the social sector, Catalyst conducts interview preparation sessions. This includes mock interviews, feedback, and guidance on how to present their skills and experiences effectively.
Networking Opportunities: Catalyst organises events, workshops, and seminars that provide networking opportunities with professionals and organisations in the social sector. Building a strong professional network is essential for career growth and finding job opportunities.
Mentorship: Experienced mentors from Catalyst provide one-on-one guidance and support to students and professionals. They offer insights into the industry, share their experiences, and help mentees navigate their career paths.
Customised Training: Catalyst understands that individuals come from diverse backgrounds and have different career aspirations. They offer customised training programs tailored to the unique needs and goals of each student or professional.
Continuous Learning: The social sector is dynamic, and professionals need to stay updated with the latest developments. Catalyst offers continuous learning opportunities through webinars, workshops, and access to relevant publications and resources.
Placement Support: Catalyst provides assistance in job placements and fellowships within the social sector. They connect students and professionals with organisations that align with their career goals.
About Catalyst: Since 2011, students and working professionals have been able to successfully craft a career with Bachelors and Masters programmes offered by TISS, Azim Premji University, TERI, XIM, IIT, Nirmala Niketan, NLSIU,Sciences Po, London School of Economics and Political Science, Symbiosis, IIMC, ACJ, XIC, JNU, Ambedkar University et al with capacity building training for development sector at Catalyst.
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