Tata Trusts and Social Alpha launch fellowship program to empower entrepreneurs with deep science and technology focus

The Tata Trusts and Social Alpha announced the launch of their flagship fellowship program, the Social Alpha EntrepreneursforImpact (E4i) Program. The E4i program is a 12-month immersive fellowship that equips passionate 'entrepreneurs-in-the-making' to leverage India's deep science, innovation and entrepreneurship environment.

Manoj Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO, Social Alpha, said, "We wanted to create an avenue for passionate, empathetic and mission-driven change makers to scout for potential technologies, create co-founding teams, build and test their solutions, and convert them into impactful ventures. We believe that by harnessing the power of science and technology innovations and mission-driven impact entrepreneurship, we can address some of India's most critical social, economic and environmental challenges."

The first cohort of the E4i program will focus on finding solutions across a few high priority areas like water, sanitation, health, agriculture, energy and environment. Finalists will be encouraged to adopt a problem statement in one of these focus sectors, and identify or develop a solution that has the potential to create impact at scale while remaining financially sustainable. All throughout, Social Alpha will provide support to E4i finalists through its network of experts from the public and private sector, non-profits and foundations.

"As our focus is to impart useful and practical know-how, E4i finalists will have access to mentors – with a background in R&D, entrepreneurship, venture investing and grassroots development action, who can guide them towards creating a successful venture, through real world knowledge, insights, networks and connections. They can also expect a lot of hands on support from successful innovators and entrepreneurs," Kumar added.