India- Srijan Microfinance Business Plan Competition

Written on February 15, 2008 by Amanda M. Gladden

Purpose of Competition

This business plan competition is specific to India. The competition is a search for entrepreneurs that have an innovative plan to address challenges faced by the microfinance movement in India which prevents micro-finance from becoming a major player in the financial sector and entrepreneurs capable of building companies that will accelerate microfinance into mainstream financial services there.

Who Can Participate

Individual Entrepreneurs

NGOs (planning to enter/working in the microfinance space)

Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)

Professionals from mainstream businesses

Financial and Technology companies

Researchers and development practitioners

Academia

Entities currently working in the microfinance space.

Competition Timeline:

Activities	Start Date	End Date	Details
Round 1
Registration	Jan 16, 2008	Mar 15, 2008	Registration, Business Plan summaries due
Primary Evaluation	Mar 15, 2008	Mar 30, 2008	Top 30 Business Plans selected
Announcement of Top 30 Plans	Mar 30, 2008		Inform entrepreneurs
Round 2
Full Business Plan Submission	Apr 1, 2008	Apr 20, 2008	Short-listed candidates submit full plans
Selection of Finalists	Apr 20, 2008	Apr 30, 2008	Selection of top 10 plans
Round 3
Mentoring	Apr 30, 2008	May 25, 2008	Help entrepreneurs improve presentations and plans
Linkages and Networking	Mar 15, 2008	May 30, 2008	Networking and linking entrepreneurs to investors
Final presentation	1st week of June, 2008		10 Finalists present plans to Grand Jury
Award Event	1st week of June, 2008		Awards ceremony for winners

What’s In It For You

Publicity:

Technical assistance: Mentoring support by Intellecap and the Srijan Sponsors.

Cash Prizes: Total cash awards of INR 12 Lakhs.

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Further details and rules of the competition can be found at: http://www.srijan2008.com/srijan.html

Deadline, registration and submission of business plan summaries: March 15, 2008

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Past Winners include:

Chitrika Pondru Weavers by Vijaya Switha Grandhi (Srijan 2007). Her organization provides finance to rural artisans. The company set-up a mutually aided cooperative society of weavers in Devaravalasa village in Srikakulam and has also been able to provide livelihood finance services, institution building support and marketing support to member weavers.