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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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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