Impact Orbit – Skilling & Livelihood Innovations Program

Impact Orbit – Skilling & Livelihood Innovations is an incubation programme run by NSRCEL, the startup hub at IIM Bangalore, alongside Capgemini. It backs social ventures working on gaps in India’s skilling and livelihood space, with a particular eye on non-metro and rural settings.

The programme helps ventures sharpen their value proposition and business model, explore non-dilutive funding and fundraising readiness, and get legal and compliance support. It also covers impact measurement, leadership development, and using technology to scale. Selected ventures receive structured support over roughly 8–9 months, with access to domain experts, strategic guidance, and institutional networks.

Both for-profit and non-profit ventures are eligible. Grants of up to ₹12.5 lakhs are available to selected ventures, and NSRCEL charges no fees and takes no equity.

Focus sectors include youth employment innovation, future-ready skills (green skills and digital fluency included), entrepreneurship and self-employment (nano enterprises/MSMEs), rural income enhancement (food processing, agri-value addition, arts & crafts, tourism, climate-resilient livelihoods with a special focus on women), and inclusive economic participation (PWD, LGBTQAI+, and other marginalised groups).

• Complete and submit the online application form.
• The selection committee assesses all received applications.
• Ventures that make the initial cut proceed to an internal review and a one-on-one discussion with the programme team.
• Those advancing further deliver a 6–7 minute pitch to an external panel.
• Chosen ventures then pass through due diligence.
• Successful applicants are onboarded into the 8–9 month incubation programme.

Applications are submitted online and then reviewed by the selection committee. Ventures that make the shortlist undergo an internal review and a one-on-one conversation. Those progressing further present their pitch to an external panel. Before final onboarding, due diligence is carried out on the ventures that have been selected.