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Are you a non profit startup working on resilient livelihoods, and looking for mentoring, ecosystem connects & grants to accelerate your scale & impact?

Atal Incubation Centre supported by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
APPLY NOW

Are you a non profit startup working on resilient livelihoods, and looking for mentoring, ecosystem connects & grants to accelerate your scale & impact?

Apply to the second livelihoods focused cohort of The/Nudge Accelerator
Innovation Grant
Dedicated Mentoring
Sector Connects
Apply to Accelerator
Grant - ₹50 Lakhs

The first of its kind ₹40 crore startup fund designed to accelerate livelihoods focussed nonprofits that are ready to grow and scale. 


Application Process

Round 1

The first round entails filling up an application form wherein you will share details about the problem you are solving, the solution approach and your team.

Deadline: 15th May 2023

Deadline : 28th September

Round 2

Shortlisted applications from Round 1 will be asked to submit a detailed business plan for the next round.

Deadline: 31st May 2023

Deadline : 04th October

Round 3

Viability showcase and model impact through a site visit.

June 2023

Week of 11th October

Round 4

Interview with CSI partners

July 2023

Week of 11th October

What We Offer to High Potential Nonprofit Startups

Growth / Scale Grant

We offer a grant of ₹50 -200 lakhs,
based on your potential to  grow your impact, and achieve meaningful scale

Organizational Mentoring

Founders as well as leadership team members will receive mentoring and hands-on support for 12-24 months

Ecosystem Connect

We connect you to a supportive network of funders, experts  and administrators who can accelerate your path to scale

APPLY NOW

The/Nudge CSI Partners

Dedicated mentoring by some of India’s most admired leaders.

Application Process

Round one

Open for All

Deadline: 31 July

Submit research concept note
Shortlisted applicants will be invited
to submit detailed proposals

Round TWO

Shortlisted Applicants

Deadline: 15 August

Submit detailed proposals
Up to 10 proposals will be reviewed
by the Expert Jury

Round three

Final Shortlist

Week of 24 Aug

Interviews with Expert Jury
Up to 4 proposals selected will receive the Research Innovation Grant

APPLY NOW

partners

FAQs

Application Deadline: 7th May 2023

For queries, please email us at
socent@thenudge.org

Can ‘founder only’ organizations apply?

No. For The/Nudge Accelerator, we prefer an early stage organisation, but one where a good part of the core team is in place.

I have been part of another Incubator/Accelerator and/or have received grant from other sources. Can I apply?

Yes you can.

I applied for The/Nudge Incubator/Accelerator a few months back, can I re-apply?

You may re-apply for The/Nudge Accelerator if you meet the eligibility criteria. Please highlight your progress since your last application, to improve your chances of selection.

Should I apply to the Incubator, Accelerator, or Pragati?

We’d prefer that you apply to the appropriate program given the maturity of your org (link to who can apply section on home page). During the selection process if we feel you are more suitable for another program, we will suggest moving your application to that program.

What is the selection process?

Our selection process begins with online applications. Shortlisted applicants will be required to submit a detailed business deck (PPT), followed by interviews with The/Nudge SocEnt team and CSI Partners. The/Nudge SocEnt team will do a site visit to assess the viability and model impact of the most promising applicants.

Do I need to submit a startup plan? What will it include?

The shortlisted applicants from online applications will be requested to submit their startup plan in a presentation format. the startup plans should include answers to the following questions:
What problem are you trying to solve?
Why this problem?
What is your solution approach?
Why do you think this will work?
Who are your customers/beneficiaries?
How do you reach them or intend to reach them?
Are there any other nonprofits doing similar work?
List names and list 1 primary reason you are different from them. How would you describe your organization's key achievements till now?
How much money have you raised till now, and how much in the last year?
What are your impact metrics and what is your strategy for the next 1,3,5 years?
What is your operational plan for the next 12 months? How would you measure your progress? How many full time employees do you have?
Describe your core team members and what each brings to the table.If you had Rs 2 crore funding available over the next 2 years, how would you use it?
Can you redefine your strategy (in Q6) based on the availability of this funding?If your organisation was incorporated over 3 years ago, but has a new idea that you are pitching, one extra thing to include - a map of the earlier journey and why the new idea has come about and how it is different from the earlier work you have been doing.

Do I need to submit a startup plan? What will it include?

The shortlisted applicants from online applications will be requested to submit their startup plan in a presentation format. the startup plans should include answers to the following questions:
What problem are you trying to solve? Why this problem?
What is your solution approach? Why do you think this will work?
Who are your customers/beneficiaries? How do you reach them or intend to reach them?
Are there any other nonprofits doing similar work? List names and list 1 primary reason you are different from them.
How would you describe your organization's key achievements till now?
How much money have you raised till now, and how much in the last year?
What are your impact metrics and what is your strategy for the next 1,3,5 years?
What is your operational plan for the next 12 months?
How would you measure your progress? How many full time employees do you have?
Describe your core team members and what each brings to the table.
If you had Rs 2 crore funding available over the next 2 years, how would you use it? Can you redefine your strategy (in Q6) based on the availability of this funding?

What do you offer to selected candidates?

We offer
: a scale/growth grant of upto 200 lakhs: hands on 1:1 mentoring by a CSI partner and a focussed support on organization building
: support from portfolio manager
: connects to potential donors and partners
: access to like minded alumni network

What happens during the incubation/acceleration?

The deep hands-on support for 9 - 12 months includes
: 1-on-1 mentoring by a CSI partner through virtual interactions every two weeks. This helps entrepreneurs achieve strategic clarity and refine their business model.
: focussed support on organisational structure through horizontal mentoring with subject matter experts
: 1-on-1 weekly support by the SocEnt portfolio manager, as a thought partner, and skin-in-the-game collaborator in the success of their incubatees.
: face-to-face as well as virtual immersion events, usually held in Bangalore during the various bootcamps. These are designed to help entrepreneurs to meet fellow cohort members, immerse in The/Nudge CSI DNA through interactions with some of India’s most admired leaders, forge a bond with the The/Nudge SocEnt portfolio manager, and the The/Nudge CSI Partner assigned to be their mentor and most importantly, to get ready to scale their product.

Is the program delivered remotely or in-person?

While mentoring will happen remotely over telephone / video chat, founders and leadership teams will be required to attend bootcamps in person. These will be opportunities for face-to-face interactions with mentors, and will be held in Bangalore.

What does 1-on-1 mentoring involve?

During the period of support, you will be paired with one of the CSI Partners as your strategic mentor, while members of your core team will be introduced to mentors in their own functional areas. The objective of this engagement is to help you achieve key milestones like attaining product market fit, getting the first rounds of funding, building a brand, hiring your team etc. in an accelerated manner. Your Partner and mentors will coach you, as well as open doors for you by connecting you to individuals and organizations that can help you in your mission. As field visits are a great way to get the right context, we also encourage you to engage your Partner / mentors to visit your customers with you.

The Accelerator portfolio manager will establish (through face to face meetings for pitching your organisation’s work) connects with CSR leaders and representatives of global and domestic philanthropic foundations. In parallel, we will help you with your fundraising strategy and in refining your pitch.

What can I use the grant for?

While the grants will be mainly of an unrestricted nature, they will be subject to the following restrictions.
: no more than Rs 12 lacs a year out of the Seed / Scale grant can be used for founder’s salary / stipend
: in Seed grants, the organisation will need to have reached a MVP stage in the first 6 months with Accelerator
: after accounting for the founder’s stipend, at least 50% of the remaining Seed grant and at least 70% of the remaining Scale grant should be spent on direct program costs.
: 50% of the grant is unrestricted, and the remaining 50% should be spent on the program

Do you have a focus on technology solutions?

We believe technology has the power to accelerate social development, as tech-enabled products and services can help scale ideas much faster and at an affordable rate. We welcome nonprofits that leverage technology in their product, service or outreach, to bring about social change.

APPLY NOW
APPLY NOW

Are you a non profit startup working on resilient livelihoods, and looking for mentoring, ecosystem connects & grants to accelerate your scale & impact?

Apply to the second livelihoods focused cohort of The/Nudge Accelerator
Innovation Grant
Dedicated Mentoring
Sector Connects
Apply to Accelerator
Grant - ₹50 Lakhs

The first of its kind ₹40 crore startup fund designed to accelerate livelihood focussed nonprofits that are ready to grow and scale. 

Learn More

Application Process

Round 1

The first round entails filling up an application form wherein you will share details about the problem you are solving, the solution approach and your team.

Deadline: 7th May 2023

Deadline : 28th September

Round 2

Shortlisted applications from Round 1 will be asked to submit a detailed business plan for the next round.

Deadline: 31st May 2023

Deadline : 04th October

Round 3

Showcase of the viability and impact of their model through a site visit

June 2023

Week of 11th October

Round 4

Interview with CSI partners

July 2023

Week of 11th October

What We Offer to High Potential Nonprofit Startups

Growth / Scale Grant

We offer a grant of ₹50 -200 lakhs,
based on your potential to  grow your impact, and achieve meaningful scale

Organizational Mentoring

Founders as well as leadership team members will receive mentoring and hands-on support for 12-24 months

Ecosystem Connect

We connect you to a supportive network of funders, experts  and administrators who can accelerate your path to scale

Growth / scale grant

We offer a grant of ₹50 -200 lakhs,
based on your potential to  grow your impact, and achieve meaningful scale

organizational mentoring

founders as well as leadership team members will receive mentoring and hands-on support for 12-24 months

ecosystem connect

we connect you to a supportive network of funders, experts  and administrators who can accelerate your path to scale

APPLY NOW

The/Nudge CSI Partners

Dedicated mentoring by some of India’s most admired leaders.

partners

FAQs

Application Deadline: 7th May 2023

For queries, please email us at
socent@thenudge.org

Can ‘founder only’ organizations apply?

No. For The/Nudge Accelerator, we prefer an early stage organisation, but one where a good part of the core team is in place.

I have been part of another Incubator/Accelerator and/or have received grant from other sources. Can I apply?

Yes you can.

I applied for The/Nudge Incubator/Accelerator a few months back, can I re-apply?

You may re-apply for The/Nudge Accelerator if you meet the eligibility criteria. Please highlight your progress since your last application, to improve your chances of selection.

Should I apply to the Incubator, Accelerator, or Pragati?

We’d prefer that you apply to the appropriate program given the maturity of your org (link to who can apply section on home page). During the selection process if we feel you are more suitable for another program, we will suggest moving your application to that program.

What is the selection process?

Our selection process begins with online applications. Shortlisted applicants will be required to submit a detailed business deck (PPT), followed by interviews with The/Nudge SocEnt team and CSI Partners. The/Nudge SocEnt team will do a site visit to assess the viability and model impact of the most promising applicants.

Do I need to submit a startup plan? What will it include?

The shortlisted applicants from online applications will be requested to submit their startup plan in a presentation format. the startup plans should include answers to the following questions:
What problem are you trying to solve?
Why this problem?
What is your solution approach?
Why do you think this will work?
Who are your customers/beneficiaries?
How do you reach them or intend to reach them?
Are there any other nonprofits doing similar work?
List names and list 1 primary reason you are different from them. How would you describe your organization's key achievements till now?
How much money have you raised till now, and how much in the last year?
What are your impact metrics and what is your strategy for the next 1,3,5 years?
What is your operational plan for the next 12 months? How would you measure your progress? How many full time employees do you have?
Describe your core team members and what each brings to the table.If you had Rs 2 crore funding available over the next 2 years, how would you use it?
Can you redefine your strategy (in Q6) based on the availability of this funding?If your organisation was incorporated over 3 years ago, but has a new idea that you are pitching, one extra thing to include - a map of the earlier journey and why the new idea has come about and how it is different from the earlier work you have been doing.

Do I need to submit a startup plan? What will it include?

The shortlisted applicants from online applications will be requested to submit their startup plan in a presentation format. the startup plans should include answers to the following questions:
What problem are you trying to solve? Why this problem?
What is your solution approach? Why do you think this will work?
Who are your customers/beneficiaries? How do you reach them or intend to reach them?
Are there any other nonprofits doing similar work? List names and list 1 primary reason you are different from them.
How would you describe your organization's key achievements till now?
How much money have you raised till now, and how much in the last year?
What are your impact metrics and what is your strategy for the next 1,3,5 years?
What is your operational plan for the next 12 months?
How would you measure your progress? How many full time employees do you have?
Describe your core team members and what each brings to the table.
If you had Rs 2 crore funding available over the next 2 years, how would you use it? Can you redefine your strategy (in Q6) based on the availability of this funding?

What do you offer to selected candidates?

We offer
: a scale/growth grant of upto 200 lakhs: hands on 1:1 mentoring by a CSI partner and a focussed support on organization building
: support from portfolio manager
: connects to potential donors and partners
: access to like minded alumni network

What happens during the incubation/acceleration?

The deep hands-on support for 9 - 12 months includes
: 1-on-1 mentoring by a CSI partner through virtual interactions every two weeks. This helps entrepreneurs achieve strategic clarity and refine their business model.
: focussed support on organisational structure through horizontal mentoring with subject matter experts
: 1-on-1 weekly support by the SocEnt portfolio manager, as a thought partner, and skin-in-the-game collaborator in the success of their incubatees.
: face-to-face as well as virtual immersion events, usually held in Bangalore during the various bootcamps. These are designed to help entrepreneurs to meet fellow cohort members, immerse in The/Nudge CSI DNA through interactions with some of India’s most admired leaders, forge a bond with the The/Nudge SocEnt portfolio manager, and the The/Nudge CSI Partner assigned to be their mentor and most importantly, to get ready to scale their product.

Is the program delivered remotely or in-person?

While mentoring will happen remotely over telephone / video chat, founders and leadership teams will be required to attend bootcamps in person. These will be opportunities for face-to-face interactions with mentors, and will be held in Bangalore.

What does 1-on-1 mentoring involve?

During the period of support, you will be paired with one of the CSI Partners as your strategic mentor, while members of your core team will be introduced to mentors in their own functional areas. The objective of this engagement is to help you achieve key milestones like attaining product market fit, getting the first rounds of funding, building a brand, hiring your team etc. in an accelerated manner. Your Partner and mentors will coach you, as well as open doors for you by connecting you to individuals and organizations that can help you in your mission. As field visits are a great way to get the right context, we also encourage you to engage your Partner / mentors to visit your customers with you.

The Accelerator portfolio manager will establish (through face to face meetings for pitching your organisation’s work) connects with CSR leaders and representatives of global and domestic philanthropic foundations. In parallel, we will help you with your fundraising strategy and in refining your pitch.

What can I use the grant for?

While the grants will be mainly of an unrestricted nature, they will be subject to the following restrictions.
: no more than Rs 12 lacs a year out of the Seed / Scale grant can be used for founder’s salary / stipend
: in Seed grants, the organisation will need to have reached a MVP stage in the first 6 months with Accelerator
: after accounting for the founder’s stipend, at least 50% of the remaining Seed grant and at least 70% of the remaining Scale grant should be spent on direct program costs.
: 50% of the grant is unrestricted, and the remaining 50% should be spent on the program

Do you have a focus on technology solutions?

We believe technology has the power to accelerate social development, as tech-enabled products and services can help scale ideas much faster and at an affordable rate. We welcome nonprofits that leverage technology in their product, service or outreach, to bring about social change.

APPLY NOW