August 28, 2025: Apna, in collaboration with IIMA Ventures, Startup India, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has launched the Bharat Livelihood Challenge. This competition invites early-stage startups and aspiring founders who are focused on solving India’s most pressing issues related to jobs, livelihoods, and skill development for urban lower- and middle-income communities.
The initiative offers a platform for startups to fast-track their entry into the Bharat Inclusion Accelerator, a flagship program of IIMA Ventures. Selected startups will receive up to $50,000 in financial support to aid their prototyping or early growth phases. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to work closely with mentors who will assist them in areas like market validation, go-to-market (GTM) strategy, fundraising, legal matters, and more.
Moreover, participants will gain access to pilot programs with employers and training partners, allowing them to test their solutions in real-world environments and gather data-driven insights to refine their offerings. This collaboration will also present co-marketing opportunities with Apna, expanding visibility and outreach for the winning startups.
Solve India’s Job & Skilling Gaps: Apply for the Bharat Livelihood Challenge
- Fast-track entry into IIMA Ventures’ flagship Bharat Inclusion Accelerator
- Up to $50,000 in financial support for prototyping or early growth
- 1:1 mentoring support in validation, GTM, fundraising, legal, and more
- Pilot with employers and training partners to refine solutions
- Co-marketing opportunities with Apna for added exposure
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, for the Bharat Livelihood Challenge your startup or team must meet the following conditions:
- Team Size: 1 to 4 founders
- Age & Education: Founders must be 18+ and have completed or be pursuing an undergraduate degree. Post-graduates are also eligible to apply.
- Startup Stage: Both registered and unregistered startups are welcome to apply. Registered startups must have been incorporated within the last 5 years.
- Entity Type: For registered startups, Private Limited or LLP is preferred; other entities must convert if selected.
- Target Group: Solutions must serve urban or semi-urban low-income communities (household income ≤ ₹5L).
Focus Areas for the Hackathon
The Bharat Livelihood Challenge is focused on solving key challenges faced by India’s underserved communities, particularly around job creation, digital skilling, and career mobility. Solutions can be developed in the following areas:
- Job Discovery and Marketplaces: Platforms targeting blue-collar and gray-collar workers such as delivery agents, drivers, security guards, retail staff, housekeeping, etc.
- Digital Skilling: Solutions that focus on vernacular languages, microlearning, and sector-specific skills.
- Career Mobility: Platforms for gig and contract workers, offering career pathing, credentialing, and upskilling.
- AI-driven Job Matching: Tools for non-English speakers and non-degree holders to connect with relevant job opportunities.
- Women-Focused Employment: Innovative models for flexible, part-time, remote, or gig work aimed at women.
- Micro-Entrepreneur Enablement: Solutions for homepreneurs, freelancers, creators, and others looking to increase income.
- Skilling Programs: Initiatives integrated with real-time employer demand for better job-readiness.
- Credentialing and Trust Platforms: Systems that build trust and offer certifications for informal sector workers.
- Job-Readiness Tools: Solutions like soft skills training, interview preparation, and resume-building.
- Tech-led Staffing Solutions: Tools for MSMEs and large employers to streamline staffing, onboarding, and verification.
- Fintech-Powered Skilling: Digital finance tools combined with skilling programs to make learning more accessible.
Deadline to apply for the Bharat Livelihood Challenge is 30th August 2025.
