Bharat Livelihood Challenge
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Bharat Livelihood Challenge

Catalyzing change through startups building for Bharat’s next 500 million.

Description

The Bharat Livelihood Challenge is a virtual startup hackathon organized by IIMA Ventures in collaboration with Apna, focused on solving India’s most pressing challenges around jobs, livelihood, and skilling for the urban lower and middle-income population.

As India races towards becoming the world’s youngest workforce by 2030, nearly a billion working-age individuals — many in Tier 2/3 cities — face barriers like underemployment, skill mismatch, job discovery hurdles, and career stagnation.

This challenge aims to identify and support early-stage startups and emerging founders who are building scalable, tech-led solutions that can uplift these communities — whether through better job access, smarter skilling, or income generation models.

This is not just a hackathon. It's a launchpad for real-world impact.

Why Apply?

Whether you're a registered startup or someone with a bold idea, this is your chance to:

  • Fast-track entry to IIMA Ventures’ flagship, Bharat Inclusion Initiative Accelerator
  • Up to $50K in financial support for prototyping or early growth
  • 1:1 mentoring support in validation, GTM, fundraising, legal, etc
  • Pilot with employers and training partners to unlock real-time insights and drive data-backed improvement.
  • Co-marketing opportunities with Apna

Focus Areas for the Hackathon

Startups participating in the hackathon will be building innovative solutions to solve for one or more of the below:

  1. Job discovery and marketplaces for blue-collar and gray-collar workers (e.g., delivery agents, security guards, drivers, retail staff, housekeeping)
  2. Digital skilling platforms focused on vernacular languages, microlearning, and sector-specific skills
  3. Career mobility solutions for gig and contract workers (career pathing, credentialing, upskilling for better opportunities)
  4. AI-driven job matching and assessments for non-English speaking and non- degree holders
  5. Women-focused employment models (e.g., part-time, remote, flexible gig jobs)
  6. Micro-entrepreneur enablement and income augmentation models (e.g., homepreneurs, freelancers, creators)
  7. Skilling programs integrated with real-time employer demand
  8. Credentialing, certification, and trust-building platforms for informal sector workers
  9. Job-readiness & employability tools (e.g., soft skills, interview prep, resume building)
  10. Tech-led staffing, onboarding, and verification solutions for MSMEs and large employers
  11. Fintech-powered Skilling Solutions that bring together digital finance tools, flexible payment models, and data-driven insights to make skilling more accessible

For queries related to the hackathon details or the Bharat Inclusion Initiative, please reach out to the organizers at programs@iimaventures.com

Bharat Livelihood Challenge is also live on F6S. You can apply on F6S through this link.

Eligibility

To apply, your team/startup must meet all the following conditions:
  • Team size/Number of Founders: 1 to 4 founders
  • Age & Education: All founders must be 18+ and must have completed or be pursuing an undergraduate degree. Post-graduates are also eligible to apply.
  • Startup Stage:
    • Both registered startups and unregistered startups (ideas/prototypes) are welcome
    • If registered, the startup must have been incorporated within the last 5 years
  • Entity Type (for registered startups only):
    • Private Limited or LLP preferred
    • Other entity types must convert if selected
  • Target Group: The idea/startup must serve urban or semi-urban low-income communities (household income ≤ ₹5L)

Learning Hub

AMA Session
19 Aug'25

AMA Session

All applicants will be invited to attend a virtual Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) session hosted by mentors from IIMA Ventures. During this session, participants will gain clarity on how to structure a compelling pitch, understand what investors typically look for in early-stage startups, and receive answers to frequently asked questions.

Rounds

Round 1: Idea Submission
4 Aug'25-7 Sep'25

Round 1: Idea Submission

add- In this round, applicants will submit a pitch deck that clearly outlines their startup idea, value proposition, and relevance to the challenge theme. An optional 90-second short video pitch can also be included. Submissions will be evaluated based on innovation, alignment with urban livelihood challenges, feasibility of execution, and the potential for real-world impact.
Mentorship Phase (Finalists Only)
21 Sep'25-25 Sep'25

Mentorship Phase (Finalists Only)

Teams shortlisted after Round 1 will enter an exclusive mentorship phase. During this period, they will work closely with experienced mentors and domain experts to strengthen their business models and refine their approach.
Round 2: Final Pitch Day
29 Sep'25

Round 2: Final Pitch Day

Finalists will present their solutions live in front of IIMA Ventures' investment evaluation team through a virtual pitch session. Based on the strength of their presentations, the most promising startups will be selected for incubation and funding support.