August 28, 2025: In a bid to address India’s critical employment and livelihood challenges, Apna has partnered with IIMA Ventures to launch the Bharat Livelihood Challenge. This initiative, supported by Startup India and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), invites early-stage startups to propose groundbreaking solutions aimed at improving job opportunities and skill development for India’s urban low- and middle-income communities.
The selected startups will have the chance to receive up to $50,000 in financial support to accelerate their growth, as well as exclusive mentorship to refine their strategies and reach key milestones. Additionally, participants will gain access to valuable pilot opportunities with employers and training partners, providing the opportunity to test and scale their solutions with real-world data.
Bharat Livelihood Challenge: What’s on Offer?
- Up to $50,000 in funding for prototype development or early-stage growth
- Exclusive mentorship covering areas such as market validation, fundraising, legal advice, and more
- Pilot programs with leading employers and training partners to validate solutions
- Co-marketing opportunities with Apna for increased visibility
Who Can Apply?
Startups or teams must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply:
- Team Size: 1 to 4 founders
- Age & Education: Founders must be 18+ and have completed or are pursuing an undergraduate degree (post-graduates are also eligible)
- Startup Stage: Both registered and unregistered startups are encouraged to apply. Registered startups must have been founded within the past five years.
- Entity Type: Preferably Private Limited or LLP. Other types must convert if selected.
- Target Audience: The solution should serve urban or semi-urban low-income communities with household incomes of ₹5L or less.
Key Focus Areas
Startups participating in this Bharat Livelihood challenge will be expected to develop solutions that address one or more of the following critical issues:
- Job Discovery Platforms: Solutions for blue-collar and gray-collar workers (e.g., delivery drivers, security personnel, retail staff, housekeeping).
- Digital Skilling: Tools for skill development in vernacular languages, focused on microlearning and sector-specific training.
- Career Mobility: Platforms designed for gig and contract workers to enable career advancement, credentialing, and upskilling.
- AI-Driven Job Matching: Smart solutions that match jobs with non-English speaking or non-degree holders.
- Women’s Employment: Models that support flexible, remote, part-time, or gig work opportunities for women.
- Micro-Entrepreneur Support: Solutions that empower homepreneurs, freelancers, and creators to generate income.
- Real-Time Skilling: Platforms that integrate employer demand into skilling programs to increase job-readiness.
- Credentialing Platforms: Solutions for informal sector workers to build trust and gain certifications.
- Job-Readiness Tools: Platforms that focus on soft skills, resume-building, and interview preparation.
- Tech Solutions for Staffing: Tools for MSMEs and large enterprises to simplify staffing, onboarding, and verification.
- Fintech for Skilling: Financial technology solutions that support flexible payment models for skilling programs.
Apply by August 30, 2025
The Bharat Livelihood Challenge is now open for applications. Startups eager to make a meaningful impact on India’s workforce challenges are invited to apply by August 30, 2025.
