Igniting innovation

Acting as an impact accelerator, Manush Labs has been empowering startups across India by facilitating resources, mentorship, and investor access to drive social and economic change

- ANIL SWARUP

According to the last economic survey, almost half of India's over 16,000 recognised startups have come from Tier II and III cities, growing at a rate of 45-50 per cent every year since 2014. In fact, the number of startups from beyond the metros has grown significantly in the recent past as innovators from these regions set out to solve very unique India-specific problems. However, despite their caliber, the majority of these startups face a common set of challenges to sustain and scale. These include limited access to mentors, funding, investors, networking opportunities, and guidance on go-to-market strategies.

The youth of India hold much-untapped potential, that when given the opportunity, can perform wonders. With smart creativity and innovation, Indian startups and Small/Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are capable of bringing about change across social, economic, and technological spheres.

Piyush Verma's Manush Labs is a hybrid (for-profit + non-profit) impact accelerator programme that fosters inclusive entrepreneurship culture in India and provides startups from all parts of India with technical and business guidance, investor networks, market access, tools, partnerships, and due diligence information needed to scale their venture ideas. Its mission is to bridge the gap between the international entrepreneurship and investor community and entrepreneurs of India. It aims to do this by exposing innovators and entrepreneurs from across the country to global experts through a series of programmes and services designed to foster an inclusive entrepreneurship culture pan-India.