PrISE Cohort 3.0: Incubation Program for Early-Stage Social Enterprises

About this scheme

The Bala Vikasa Center for Social and Responsible Business (BVCSRB) is an initiative of Bala Vikasa, a highly respected non-profit organization with a long-standing track record in community development and social innovation in India. BVCSRB leverages Bala Vikasa's deep field experience to support social enterprises that offer market-based solutions to pressing social and environmental challenges. Their mission is to empower founders to build financially sustainable ventures that deliver significant, measurable impact.

PrISE (Program for Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship) Cohort 3.0 is an incubation program specifically designed for early-stage social enterprises. It is organized by the Bala Vikasa Center for Social and Responsible Business (BVCSRB), an organization focused on supporting ventures that provide scalable social and environmental solutions. The program aims to foster the growth of impact-driven startups by strengthening their business models and preparing them for successful fundraising and scaling.

The PrISE program offers comprehensive non-monetary support, including personalized mentorship from sector experts and seasoned practitioners, tailored to the specific needs of each enterprise. Participants benefit from structured workshops covering crucial aspects such as developing robust business strategies, mastering financial planning and fundraising readiness, effective marketing and branding, and agile product development. While the program itself does not provide direct funding, it actively facilitates access to various funding avenues, including introductions to impact investors, fostering CSR partnerships, and connecting participants with external grant opportunities, preparing them for future capital raises.

A key component of the program is its emphasis on ecosystem development, connecting participants with a wide network of NGOs, foundations, and industry leaders. These connections provide valuable market access, visibility, and networking opportunities, crucial for strengthening the enterprises' market presence and achieving their social impact goals. The overarching objective is to help founders clarify their go-to-market and growth strategies, enabling them to effectively balance financial sustainability with their core social mission.

Who can apply

• The program specifically targets early-stage social enterprises, prioritizing those actively engaged in idea validation or pilot stages, where structured support can have the most transformative impact.
• Founders must be actively building or piloting their solution to a significant social or environmental problem, demonstrating a commitment beyond theoretical concepts.
• Applicants need to clearly articulate the specific problem their venture addresses, proving a deep understanding of the issue and its beneficiaries.
• Furthermore, ventures must show potential for scalable social or environmental impact, indicating their capacity to achieve widespread positive change.
• Consistent commitment from participants throughout the entire incubation period is also a crucial requirement to maximize learning and growth.

Benefits & funding

• Personalized mentorship and structured workshops covering business strategy, financial planning, fundraising readiness, marketing, and product development.
• Facilitated access to impact investors, CSR partnerships, and external grant opportunities.
• Extensive networking, market access, and visibility through connections with NGOs, foundations, and industry leaders.
• Support for go-to-market and growth strategies.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with Bala Vikasa Center for Social and Responsible Business, in your own name.

1. 1

   A two-stage evaluation: initial assessment of problem-solution fit, early validation, and scalable impact.

2. 2

   Shortlisted candidates receive further questions on business model and team.

3. 3

   Finally, selected founders undergo interviews with the Bala Vikasa CSRB team.

Frequently asked questions