Mumbai: Saadhan, a social venture working for empowering farmers in rural areas of India, was among the six teams that emerged as the winners of Singapore International Foundation’s (SIF) Young Social Entrepreneurs Programme (YSE) 2016. Saadhan received SGD$20,000 in seed funding to start or scale their social enterprise. Saadhan, headed by promising social entrepreneurs, Mohit Dave and Pranav Harshe, seeks to empower farmers in rural areas of India with greater ownership of the food value chain so as to reduce poverty and resource wastage.
Under the Young Social Entrepreneurs Programme (YSE), 35 young social entrepreneurs from 15 teams reached the culmination of an eight month, cross-cultural learning journey that took them through mentorship, an overseas study visit and an event where they presented their business ideas to a panel of judges as part of Singapore International Foundation’s (SIF)
“Through the YSE programme, I’ve gained new insights on the possibilities that may come about when social enterprises tap into the power of multi-sectorial networks. We are excited to explore collaborations with corporates, non-profit sector and government and see how that can help us scale our impact and create greater social value for the communities we work with,” shared Mohit Dave, 26, the Indian Co-Founder of Saadhan.
The programme saw teams representing eight countries – Azerbaijan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Yemen which were selected from an initial pool of 114 participants at the 2016 YSE workshop held in March this year. During the course of their journey, the teams received guidance from a pool of volunteer mentors from McKinsey & Company and first-time supporter of the YSE programme, Temasek International. The teams were chosen based on the impact, scalability and sustainability of their social enterprise.
The group of young changemakers also had the opportunity to interact with likeminded peers from across the region. They also gained insights from established social entrepreneurs, opinion leaders, academics and captains of industry from several business corporations – to tap into their range of expertise in the areas of legal, finance, investments and human resources. To widen their perspectives, the SIF also took them on an international study visit to understand the social enterprise landscape in Malaysia.
“Millenials of today are catalysts for global change. Many are innovative and driven by a strong sense of social purpose. When they come together, they can be dynamic agents for positive social impact. I believe that the YSE platform celebrates diversity, strengthens international connections, bridges cultural differences and further enables the robust exchange of ideas for a better world,” said Ms Karen Ngui, Lead Judge and SIF Governor.
The SIF YSE 2016 programme is supported by several organisations including Ashoka and Asia Philanthropic Ventures, Harvard Club of Singapore, INSEAD, Kellogg HKUST Chapter, SAP, McKinsey & Company, NUS Business School, and Temasek International.
Singapore International Foundation’s Young has now invited applications from budding social entrepreneurs from India for Young Social Entrepreneurs Programme 2017. Applications will close on 11 December 2016.
Winning Teams of Young Social Entrepreneurs Programme (YSE) 2016
Saadhan, headed by Mohit Dave and Pranav Harshe based in Mumbai
BeBonobo – headed by Azerbaijani Jasur Hasanov, Malaysian Kay Kay Ong and Yemeni Madyan Aziz Hasan Malfi,
KAMA BATIK – headed by Indonesians Ajeng Hilarysa Pramesti, Dyah Rasyid, Novi Anathasya Purba,
NOMAD – headed by Singaporeans Muhammad Haziq Bin Mohd Rashid and Mohd Nasrul Bin Rohmat,
Praxium – headed by Singaporean Louis Puah
PsychKick – headed by Singaporeans Shafiqah Nurul Afiqah Binte Ramani and Sayid Hafiz Bin Sayid Zin,
