India: Social Innovator Fellowship Program 2023

The Schaeffler India Social Innovator Fellowship Program sets itself apart by harmoniously blending financial support with the potential for significant social impact. This program carries the following distinct aspects:

• Encouraging social entrepreneurship
• Become investor ready
• Embracing risks and experimentation
• Amplifying impact through networks
• Catalyzing systemic change
• Bridging financial gaps
• Flexibility and adaptability

Award Information

• Each of the 10 winning projects will be granted an award of INR 1 Lakh.
• A 24-week hybrid mentorship opportunity at the prestigious CIIE.CO, IIM Ahmedabad, to help the winners further develop and scale their solutions.
• Access to Schaeffler India network & partners.
• Entry to a fellow community of peers.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants should belong to the age group of 18 to 35 years (as on 1st September 2023)
• Open for individuals, groups of individuals, organizations of profit or non-profit both across India.

Important Note

• Early-stage startups or NGOs with functioning prototype can participate
• An entry must not just be a concept, idea, or mock-up and needs to fulfill the following six requirements:
  • Clear target market or audience
  • Addressing clear need, problem, or opportunity
  • Potential to scale and positively impact people
  • Economical and sustainable
  • Commercial viability
  • Should be a prototype
  • Should be a resident of India
  • The project must not be an established commercial venture
  • Participants also need to submit entries describing their work in the form of an idea pitch deck and a video that can be uploaded on the website.
• The project must be related to any of the following categories:
  • Environment Sustainability
  • Renewable Energy
  • Carbon Neutrality
  • Circular Economy
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Application of Technology like Robotics/Drone in Social Sector.

For more information, visit Schaeffler India.