Background

In the last decade, India has seen a massive upsurge in entrepreneurial activity across the country. While the 90s saw several economic, social, and cultural changes springing forth as a result of globalization and the IT boom in India, the turn of the millennium saw the establishment of a new chapter in India’s economic history, with several entrepreneurs starting up their own homegrown enterprises. By 2020, India had become synonymous with entrepreneurship and a decidedly tech-rooted startup culture.

However, it is interesting to note that most startup founders and entrepreneurs seem to come from largely homogenous economic and cultural backgrounds -- privileged, upper middle class or upper class, educated people. The existing structures of social, cultural, political, and economic inequality that are deeply entrenched in Indian society make it such that people from marginalized, low-income, and underprivileged backgrounds often lack access to the education, opportunities, and resources required to cultivate entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship and innovation has the potential to effect real-world change, to tackle some of the biggest problems society faces today. In a country like India, where divisions based on caste, colour, gender, religion, class run deep in society, it is important to ensure that the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation is fostered amongst underprivileged populations to empower them. True innovation, true development is only possible when it includes innovation from all parts of society, and the development of all parts of society -- and for this, it is essential to ensure that underserved, marginalized populations have access to the education and resources needed to gear them towards entrepreneurship.