Dignified Jobs Accelerator
A programme by Upaya Social Ventures
An accelerator for early-stage social businesses in India that create dignified jobs, with Upaya's business, finance and impact expertise and investor network.
At a glance
| Best for | Early-stage social businesses in India creating dignified jobs |
|---|---|
| Duration | Six to nine months, depending on the cohort |
| Run with | Yunus Social Business Fund Bengaluru, Global Business Inroads, rePurpose Global |
About Dignified Jobs Accelerator
The Dignified Jobs Accelerator gives early-stage social entrepreneurs access to Upaya's business, finance and impact expertise, its investor network and a dedicated team. Funding is not included in the programme. Its two listed cohorts each focused on one sector.
The 2024 cohort covered the allied sectors of agriculture. It ran for six months with Yunus Social Business Fund Bengaluru, and Upaya may select up to three businesses from it for investment.
The 2025 Circular Innovation cohort covered plastics and textile and fashion waste management. It ran for nine months with Global Business Inroads and rePurpose Global, in two levels. Level 1 is a three-month virtual programme for 60 businesses. Level 2 is a six-month, hands-on programme for 10 businesses.
What you get
- Business, finance and impact expertise from Upaya
- Access to Upaya's investor network and dedicated team
Who can apply
- Early-stage businesses in India that create dignified jobs and livelihood opportunities for people in extreme poverty
- Women-led businesses, which the site strongly encourages to apply
How to apply: The intake is not open. Use the 'Introduce your business' button to register interest, and subscribe to be the first to know when applications for future cohorts open. Enquiries go to cohort@upayasv.org.
Where to apply
Other Upaya Social Ventures programmes
- Catalytic InvestmentsDirect investment in early-stage, for-profit companies that create jobs for people in extreme poverty, often with hands-on advisory support.
- ClimaFii AllianceA five-year alliance anchored by Shell Foundation with Accion, in which Upaya is the India partner and its India cohorts include a no-interest loan.
- Textile Waste Management Technical Assistance FacilityA facility that offers concessionary capital to sanitation worker-first textile waste enterprises in India, and currently supports three of them.
- Dignified Jobs CollaborativeA global community of practice founded by Upaya that convenes people and researches the quality of dignified jobs. It is not a funding programme.