About Us

Learn about the organizations behind this initiative

GLPC-logo-6DEC

Commissionerate of Rural Development
Government of Gujarat

About GLPC

Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company (GLPC) is the executive arm of Mission Mangalam, the implementation agency for NRLM. It has been registered under The Companies Act, 1956.

GLPC works through strategic partnerships between large industries and Sakhi Mandals/ Self Help Groups/ Producer Groups/ Service Groups/ Collectives of the poor, and through decentralized Micro Enterprise Ventures. The main objectives of the GLPC are
Empowering the poor by organizing them into SHGs/ Federations/ other Collectives.
Empower the poor by ensuring access to Financial Services.
Augmenting existing livelihoods and enhancing income.
Explore livelihood opportunities through newer ventures and technologies in the rural service sector.

About The/Nudge

The/Nudge is an action institute working on poverty alleviation in partnership with the government. We work with social entrepreneurs, women, farmers, tribals, and youth on rural development, agriculture, skilling, and economic inclusion with 5 central ministries/agencies and 10 state governments. The/Nudge Institute is set up with support from 100+ eminent philanthropists, 40+ corporates, and 15+ foundations, to contribute to a ‘poverty-free India, within our lifetime’.
Our incubator, accelerator and grand challenges have supported 200+ social entrepreneurs including 17 Forbes 30U30, 3 EarthShot Prize winners, 1 Time Magazine cover and more.
Empowering rural India with dignity, energy, and opportunity is my government's priority.
Shri Narendra Modi
Hon'ble Prime Minister,
India
ગ્રામીણ ઉદ્યોગ સાહસિક સ્ટાર્ટઅપ ફંડ  ગ્રામીણ  ક્ષેત્રે આર્થિક વિકાસની
એક પહેલ છે.
Shri Bhupendra Patel​
Hon'ble Chief Minister,
Government of Gujarat
જી મૈત્રી ગ્રામીણ સ્ટાર્ટ અપ ને પ્રોત્સાહન પુરું પાડી યુવાનો અને મહિલાઓને રોજગાર આપી ગ્રામીણ અર્થતંત્ર ને વેગવાન બનાવશે
Shri Raghavjibhai Patel​
Hon'ble Cabinet Minister, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Cow-Breeding, Fisheries, Rural Housing and Rural Development,
Government of Gujarat

What we Offer

Explore our comprehensive solutions designed to empower your journey

Innovation Grant

Empowering entrepreneurs with innovation grants to scale their ventures and maximize social impact

Capacity Building

Empowering individuals with entrepreneurship, financial management, and digital skills to drive sustainable growth and success

Customized Mentorship

Personalized mentorship with industry experts to accelerate learning, provide industry insights, help navigate challenges, and make informed decisions

Entrepreneurship Community

We are building a community of entrepreneurs to offer continuous support through knowledge sharing

Seed & Scale Initiative

Empowering innovation through our Seed and Scale programs, tailored for every stage of your growth journey

Seed Programs

  • Selection of 20 start-ups this year

  • Grants up to ₹20 lakh
  • Open to non-profits and for-profits
  • Support early-stage social enterprises to test pilot programs, refine products or services, and achieve early market traction

Scale Program

  • Selection of 10-12 start-ups this year
  • Grants up to ₹30 lakh
  • Open to non-profits and for-profits
  • Support the scale journey of social enterprises that have demonstrated impact

Eligibility Criteria

Empowering innovation through our Seed and Scale programs, tailored for every stage of your growth journey

Common Criteria

  •  Private limited or Section 8 companies boosting incomes for SHGs, rural women farmers, and micro-entrepreneurs in Gujarat.
  •  Funding must be used exclusively for operations within the state.
  • DPIIT registration is a plus.

Seed-Stage Criteria

  • Ideation-stage applicants with a business plan can apply but must incorporate as a Private Limited or Section 8 company before funding.
  • Start-ups are eligible as seed-stage entities within 5 years of incorporation.

Scale-Stage Criteria

  • Open to entities with 5–10 years of operations since incorporation
  • Requires a minimum audited turnover of ₹50 lakh in the previous financial year.

Gujarat - Mentorship and Acceleration of Individuals for Transforming Rural Income

We aim to transform rural income by empowering social enterprises, start-ups, and innovators through funding, mentorship, market access, strategic growth opportunities, and acceleration programs. Our commitment is to foster digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, and social impact. We provide comprehensive support to social enterprises, self-help groups (SHGs), rural entrepreneurs, and impact-driven start-ups in Gujarat.

Intended Outcomes

By fostering innovative solutions across key pillars of digital inclusion, G-MAITRI is transforming the lives of youth, entrepreneurs, and innovators, driving meaningful change both online and offline.

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Start-up Support

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Start-ups Registered

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Lives impact in Gujrat

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Awards Winning

Selection Process

Understand our fair and comprehensive selection process

General FAQ's

Find answers to common questions about our programs and processes

G – MAITRI (Gujarat – Mentorship and Acceleration of Individuals for Transforming Rural Income) is a strategic initiative launched by the Government of Gujarat to support social enterprise start-ups working to enable rural livelihoods within the state. This initiative offers encouragement assistance to social enterprise start-ups focused on enhancing the income of self-help groups (SHGs), their families, and rural women farmers, workers, and micro and small entrepreneurs. 

 

  • Selected candidates receive: 
  • Grant funding to support the development of their social venture. 
  • Access to 1-on-1 mentoring sessions. 
  • Networking opportunities with industry experts and investors. 
  • Training and capacity-building workshops. 

Social Enterprises: Both for-profit and non-profit organizations that aim to create a social impact in Gujarat are eligible. The social enterprise start-up should be involved in the production, marketing, or service industry that increases the income of self-help groups, their families, and rural women farmers, workers, and micro and small entrepreneurs of Gujarat. 

Focus on Livelihoods: Applicants must align with the fund’s goal of improving livelihoods and addressing pressing social challenges, particularly in rural and underserved regions. 

This fund provides financial resources, mentorship, and support to social entrepreneurs working towards sustainable development in Gujarat.  

 

The selection process involves three stages: 

Application Screening: Applications are evaluated for eligibility, compliance, and alignment with the program’s objectives. Modes of communication are online application, requirement to furnish additional information/ documents, interview (physical/ online), and any other appropriate channel. 

Pitch Presentation: Shortlisted candidates present their ideas to an expert panel/s. 

Final Selection: Selected start-ups are announced based on innovation, impact potential, and feasibility as adjudged by the competent Committees. 

A Section 8 registered start-up is eligible to apply for the G-MAITRI assistance grant. Registration under Section 8 must be completed before the approval of the cohort. The CIN (Corporate Identification Number) is to be mentioned in the online application form. Attach Certificate of Incorporation and Section 8 License. 

 

In India, non-profit organizations can take various legal forms, with Section 8 companies being one prominent option. Governed by the Companies Act of 2013, these entities are established to promote various social, educational, or charitable causes. 

A Private Limited concern is eligible to apply for the G-MAITRI assistance grant. The DPIIT Number and CIN (Corporate Identification Number) are to be mentioned in the online application form. Attach Certificate of Incorporation.