The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India, organized a landmark Symposium on the Development of Startup Ecosystem among Scheduled Tribes, bringing together major Venture Capitalists and Impact Investors to discuss strategies for empowering tribal entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive growth.

The Government of India remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering tribal communities. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consistently emphasized building an Atma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and Atma Nirbhar Tribals. As part of this vision, the development of a robust startup ecosystem among Scheduled Tribes is a key initiative under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ 100-day agenda.

To kickstart this transformative initiative, MoTA has undertaken extensive brainstorming sessions with premier institutions such as IIM Calcutta, IIT Delhi, IFCI Venture Capital Funds Limited, Delhi and industry associations to ensure a grassroot-level impact. A significant step in this direction was the initiation of a Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes with an initial corpus of ₹50 crore, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among Scheduled Tribes and fostering innovation at the community level.

 

                    

In alignment with this vision, the symposium, held in Delhi on 28th January 2025, provided a platform for thought leaders and stakeholders to explore approaches for uplifting tribal entrepreneurs and catalyzing investments in tribal-led startups.

The discussion was chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Shri Vibhu Nayar, and saw participation from renowned industry leaders, including:

• Mr.  B.N. Prasad, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
• Mr. Alok Mittal (Indian Angel Network)
• Mr. Rakesh Rewari (Ex-DMD, SIDBI)
• Mr. Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Info Edge)
• Mr. Rajat Tandon (Indian Private Equity & Venture Capital Association - IVCA)
• Ms. Sowmya Suryanarayanan (Aavishkaar Capital)
• Mr. Pratekk Agarwaal (GrowthCap Ventures)
• Mr. Srinivas Ramanujam (Villgro)
• Mr. Manick Wadhwa (SKI Capital)
• Mr. Ajay kumar kapur (Ex CEO SIDBI Venture, Ex. DMD @SIDBI.)
• Mr. V. Anish Babu (MD, IFCI Venture)
• Mr. Arindam Roy (IFCI Venture)

Shri Vibhu Nayar, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, said, "This initiative is a step toward fostering inclusivity and creating opportunities for Scheduled Tribes at the grassroots level. By building a robust ecosystem that supports tribal entrepreneurs, we aim to promote innovation and bring tribal talent to the forefront of India's entrepreneurial landscape. The insights from today’s symposium will help shape future policies and programs to drive sustainable development in tribal communities.”

Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram,  vision for the initiative, "The Government of India is dedicated to empowering our tribal communities and nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit. With collective efforts, we can unlock the immense potential of tribal entrepreneurs and make them key contributors to the vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat."

Key Recommendations from the Symposium:

1. Strengthen Supply Chains: Build quality tribal enterprises that are investment-ready.
2. Grassroot Training Programs: Conduct targeted capacity-building programs at the village level.
3. Institutional Frameworks: Develop streamlined, inclusive, and institutionalized frameworks for startups to thrive.
4. Public Market Access: Create pathways for tribal enterprises to access public markets.
5. Inclusive Business Models: Encourage partnerships between tribal and metro entrepreneurs, ensuring no restrictions on holding patterns.
6. Microfund Support: Establish micro funds for incubation-stage startups and collaborate with smaller VCs for scaling.
7. Sectoral Focus: Identify specific industries with high potential for tribal empowerment and innovation, such as agriculture, handicrafts, and sustainable development.
8. Support for Sunrise Sectors: Promote Fund of Funds (FOF) models to channel investments into innovative and impactful sectors.

 

Venture Capital emphasized the importance of investing in sunrise sectors while ensuring impact and innovation remain at the core of tribal entrepreneurship initiatives.

This symposium marks a significant step in fulfilling the Government of India’s vision of empowering Scheduled Tribes and creating an inclusive and self-reliant startup ecosystem. Through these collective efforts, tribal communities will gain greater access to resources, mentorship, and market opportunities, further driving innovation and sustainable development across the nation.

PSF/DK

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