Jagriti Yatra - 2024

Today's Challenge 

Problem Statement: Bridging the Entrepreneurial Divide

In India, the vibrant startup culture is predominantly concentrated in top-tier cities like Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai, which collectively have a population of around 110 million. These cities attract a significant share of resources—funding, mentorship, and market access—despite the fact that the challenges they address often affect only a fraction of our population.

In stark contrast, tier 2 and 3 cities, home to approximately 1.23 billion people—akin to the population of Sub-Saharan Africa—struggle to access these crucial resources. Entrepreneurs in these regions are often left without the support they need due to the absence of local ecosystems and infrastructure. Yet, these entrepreneurs are solving critical problems for their communities, tackling issues that are deeply relevant to the vast majority of our population.

According to data from 2019, top three cities alone accounted for about 85% of all funding deals in India. Out of the approximately 50,000 startups across the country, only 20% are based in tier 2 and 3 cities (Source: Datalabs by Inc42). This disparity forces many entrepreneurs to migrate to major cities to establish their businesses, leading to a depletion of local job opportunities and leaving many pressing social issues in smaller cities unresolved.

This uneven distribution of entrepreneurial resources not only hinders the economic and social development of tier 2 and 3 cities but also results in unbalanced growth across the country. We need to address this imbalance to foster inclusive growth and empower the innovators who are driving change in our underserved regions.

This version sets the stage for a crowdfunding campaign by clearly outlining the disparity in resources, the impact on local economies, and the need for a more balanced approach to supporting entrepreneurs.

Why Jagriti Yatra is Crucial: Empowering Change-Makers Across India

1. Transformative Journey: Jagriti Yatra is not just a 15-day train journey—it's a transformative experience that takes 500 aspiring entrepreneurs on a nationwide expedition. This journey immerses them in the heart of India’s diverse and underserved regions, where they gain firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities within their communities.

2. Fostering Innovation: Our program ignites innovation by connecting Yatris with successful social enterprises, industry leaders, and grassroots organizations. By exposing them to real-world solutions and inspiring role models, we empower participants to develop innovative approaches to local problems, driving sustainable change in their own communities.

3. Building Local Ecosystems: Jagriti Yatra addresses the critical gap in resources for tier 2 and 3 cities. By focusing on these underserved areas, we help build local ecosystems that support entrepreneurship. Our initiative provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources to entrepreneurs who are often left behind in traditional startup support systems.

4. Empowering Communities: Our Yatris are not just learning; they are also contributing. They work on projects and initiatives that tackle pressing social issues, from healthcare to education and sustainability. This hands-on approach ensures that the impact of Jagriti Yatra extends beyond the journey itself, fostering long-term development and empowerment in local communities.

5. Driving Inclusive Growth: Jagriti Yatra’s focus on tier 2 and 3 cities aligns with our vision of inclusive growth. By supporting entrepreneurs in these regions, we aim to balance the entrepreneurial ecosystem, ensuring that innovation and development reach all corners of India. Our program helps bridge the gap between top-tier cities and smaller towns, promoting equitable growth and national development.

6. Creating Future Leaders: Our alumni are a testament to the program’s success. They go on to become influential leaders and changemakers, driving social and economic impact across various sectors. By supporting Jagriti Yatra, you are investing in the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of India.

Jagriti Yatra (JY) seeks to bring the physical geography and the real soul of India closer to its people by exploring Bharat (Middle India). It seeks to build a class of leaders (Yatris) from the real India who will power its progress.

The objective of Jagriti Yatra 2024

I. To expose Yatris to 

• Models of social, and business enterprises across India

• Opportunities & challenges of setting up an enterprise in middle India

• The idea of building India through enterprise 

II. To enhance personal skills:

• Teamwork • Leadership • Analysis • Problem-solving • Self-awareness • Communication 

III. To familiarise Yatris with the process of setting up an enterprise

Program dates

The program starts from November 16th 2024 and closes on 1st December 2024

Program Design

Visits to Inspiring Social and Business Entrepreneurs: Participants will interact with and learn from leading entrepreneurs across India.

Panel Discussions: Key topics in agriculture, healthcare, education, and other sectors will be explored through panel discussions featuring eminent speakers and experts.

Business Plan Competition: A competition held on the train, where participants receive guidance from traveling mentors and experts, culminating in a pitch before a jury.

Peer-to-Peer Activities: Case studies and other interactive activities that encourage collaborative learning among participants.

Awards / Achievements

• Selected as one of the winners of the Asian Voice of Charity Awards powered by Charity Clarity in UK (https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/indias-jagriti-yatra-wins-charity-award-in-uk/article23934126.ece)
• Felicitation by the Hon’ble President of India at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 10th edition of the Yatra (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y5p5AgUu7Y)
• Representation at forums like TEDx by the founder and the CEO of the organization (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD6BhGWakzE)
• Selection by International Foundations like The Asia Foundation and International Visitor Leadership Program, US Consulate to talk about the program
• Partnered with Government of India for Successful completion of Jagriti G20 Startup20 Yatra