The Best For-Profit Social Enterprises in India
As we step forward into a new decade, at Helptheworld.io we are hopeful and excited for what the future holds.
After validating our concept of measuring the progress of investments using the blockchain, we’re looking for our next great project to support with mentorship, investments, and marketing.
Today, we want to take a look at the state of Sustainable Social Impact in India, and the leaders bringing meaningful change to our country. We understand that impact is a broad definition and that every single enterprise creates a massive impact. For the scope of this article, we are limiting ourselves to only social enterprises.
We also focused ourselves on what we think are India’s most pressing problems: (SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure and SDG 17: Partnerships for The Goals)
(Enterprises Listed in No Particular Order — someone missing on this list? Let us know in the comments.)
SDG 1: No Poverty.
The only way to eradicate poverty is by helping the poor run businesses, create their own livelihoods. Existing handouts from the government, or guaranteed labor schemes without the prerequisite talent, will simply not work.
1. Annapurna Finance
Annapurna started in 2009, born from a non-profit already working for the unserved in society. The focus has been clear, to reach areas where formal financial institutions find it unprofitable to settle in, serving economically backward clients with the potential for growth.
As of October 2019, Annapurna has a portfolio of 3,489.2 Cr and 1.7M Clients served.
2. SELCO India
SELCO India, established in 1995, focuses on delivering Last-Mile Sustainable Energy Solutions, that Improve Quality of Life and bring about Socio-Economic Development for the poor. They’ve impacted 1 million people, disproving the myth that the poor cannot afford sustainable energy.
SELCO Foundation, part of the SELCO family, is working on replicable social innovations in livelihoods, education, and health.
3. KrishiHub
Krishihub, launched in 2016 is empowering farmers across India, by cutting middlemen out using an intelligent demand-driven supply chain platform. They help farmers realize higher revenues, reduce food loss and ensure transparency in the system.
They have also launched DeepFarm, a product to help farmers gain insights on their farms. Krishihub is in growth stages but looks poised to create a massive impact.
SDG 2: Quality Education
India takes pride in having the most youth in the world but without the right education, all of our youth is useless. Quality technical and liberal education can bring about immense rewards for this country.
XSEED is an organization that is tackling the ancient education system of this country by focusing on the transformation from rote to learning. They are building a 21st Century child, focusing on thinking and problem-solving skills.
Over 2 million parents have been satisfied by the results this research-based model of instruction has created in their children.
5. Experifun
Experifun aims to create ‘innovative thinkers’ by fixing the current ways in which Science is taught in schools. Their Science Innovation labs instill curiosity using Science learning and involve students in the learning process with practical gadgets and projects.
Their Integrated Computer Curriculum takes students on a journey on the Computer Express for an integrated learning experience through exploratory activities, board games and innovative lab sessions — all built around a train theme.
6. EmpowerU
EmpowerU is improving the quality of education, by bringing analytics into the management of institutions. They offer real-time monitoring of various core metrics.
EmpowerU is working with 5000+ government and non-government schools, and around 1,50,000+ students.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 17: Partnerships For The Goals
7. GiveIndia
GiveIndia, born in 2000, is India’s largest platform for donors. With contributions of over 300 crores made to 200+ trusted NGOs, the community of 1M+ donors has impacted the lives of 4M+ people across 23 states in India.
They have robust due diligence processes that cover legal, compliance, financial and impact checks for each donation made, including in-person visits to beneficiaries. GiveIndia has also partnered with companies like CRED gamify impact and donations. They have done a brilliant job in bringing transparency and partnerships to the Social Impact sector.
8. LetsEndorse
LetsEndorse focuses on cultivating innovation and collaboration across the entire spectrum of Social Impact. From helping large corporates administer their CSR Funds, to serving the technology needs of social impact projects and working with governments and individuals to promote new innovations.
They helped foster quite a few community-led projects in 2019 and worked with the Government and corporations like Intel and Samsung.
9. Sattva
Sattva is a consulting organization that collaborates with multiple stakeholders, to co-create inclusive working models that help an organization achieve its own place in something they call the Magic Quadrant — where economic value, as well as social impact, is maximized.
Sattva has launched initiatives like India Data Insights, providing data tied to SDGs about how India has changed over the years. They have also published numerous informative reports about the sector.
10. Bonus: Cure.Fit
Cure.fit is not strictly a social enterprise, but its impact has been incredible in India, especially for the custodians of India’s future: the technologists. It is a first for India, where mental well-being, health, physical and food needs of consumers were shaped and moulded into healthier and more beneficial habits.
They have brought an easy way for India’s growing technology workforce to stay fit and healthy and continue contributing to the growth of India.
In the process of writing this article, we realized data in the social impact space is highly fragmented, and there may be loads of ideas and projects we missed out on. There is a critical need for collaboration and the right set of legal and governmental frameworks that promotes growth and partnerships while maintaining individual freedoms.
Helptheworld.io is looking for our fourth project to support with mentorship, investments, and marketing.
Do you know of any such project that can create a meaningful impact in this world? Refer us to an amazing project and earn 15 $HELP tokens for your referral.
List your idea at https://projects.helptheworld.io/ or email us at comehelptheworld@gmail.com
Thanks for reading!
