FIRST IMPACT is IDFC FIRST Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) division

At FIRST IMPACT, we gain purpose from our division’s motto - ‘Because Opportunity Belongs to All’ and all our programmes focus on creating opportunities and possibilities for individuals belonging to low-Income and vulnerable communities.

Catalyst for IMPACT, another endeavor aligning with this ethos, extends opportunities to for-profit social enterprises dedicated to creating a positive societal impact through their business models. The program aims to finance for-profit social enterprises that address pressing social, environmental issues through Innovative business models and technological solutions.

    The Initiative invites applications from social enterprises from the following sectors:
  • Agriculture & Allied Activities
  • Environment & Climate Action
  • Assistive / Inclusive Technology for Disability

CATALYST FOR IMPACT STARTUPS (LEAP TO UNICORN SEASON 2)

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WHY PARTICIPATE

ELIGIBILITY

  • Incorporation

    Incorporation

    Entity must be incorporated in India.

  • Founder

    Founder

    At least one founder/co-founder should be an Indian National, residing in India & above the age of 18 at the time of applying to the program.

  • Thematic Focus

    Thematic Focus

    Should be working towards innovation/ technology /improvement of products/services/ processes related to agriculture & allied activities, Environment & Climate Action, Assistive / Inclusive technology for disability

  • Registration

    Registration Type

    Incubated with a registered Technology Business Incubator [located within an academic institution and approved by central government through the Department of Science and Technology (DST)]

  • Pyramid Focus

    Bottom of Pyramid Focus

    It should solve a social problem, with direct impact on under-served / marginalized communities, residing in India.

  • Pyramid Focus

    Bottom of Pyramid Focus

    Should have a prototype - Minimum Viable Product (MVP) ready.

  • Entity Age

    Entity Age

    Should not exceed 10 years from date of incorporation.

Get Funded

Your Journey

REGISTRATION

Click the GET FUNDED button to give wings to your startup business

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BOOTCAMP

Accelerate your entrepreneurial journey with sessions that hone your skills and avenues to build your business network

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SHORTLISTING

Most promising startups feature in the exclusive IDFC FIRST Bank report ‘Top 100 Startups To Watch Out For’

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FINALE

Top 5 startups compete for raising funds in a finale by presenting their Final Pitch to investors

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FAQ's

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Catalyst for IMPACT is a CSR program of IDFC FIRST Bank that extends CSR grants to startups that aspire to solve social problems via technology and innovation through their business model.

Catalyst for IMPACT has a special focus on the Bottom of Pyramid and only start-ups that are trying to solve a social problem and those that are incubated with a DST registered TBI are eligible to apply for the same.
Some of the benefits are as follows:
  • Access to grant funding of upto INR 50 lakhs per startup for selected Startups
  • Access Exclusive Masterclass with Industry Experts
  • Opportunity to pitch to Social Impact Investors
Selected start-ups will receive a CSR Grant of upto INR 50 Lakhs
The start ups will be eligible for funding in FY 2024-25 when the program commences.
Eligibility for Startups :
  • Incorporation – Entity must be incorporated in India.
  • Bottom of Pyramid Focus - It should solve a social problem, with direct impact on under-served / marginalized communities, residing in India.
  • Founder – At least one founder/co-founder should be an Indian National, residing in India & above the age of 18 at the time of applying to the program.
  • Stage – Should have a prototype – Minimum Viable Product (MVP) ready.
  • Thematic Focus – – Should be working towards innovation/ technology /improvement of products/services/ processes related to agriculture & allied activities, Environment & Climate Action, Assistive / Inclusive technology for disability
  • Entity Age – Should not exceed 10 years from date of incorporation.
  • Registration Type – Incubated with a registered Technology Business Incubator [located within an academic institution and approved by central government through the Department of Science and Technology (DST)]
The video pitch should touch upon the following in upto 10 mins.
  • What motivated you to start this journey and how has it evolved over the period of years?
  • What is your theory of change and what problem are you trying to solve?
  • What is your vision for your organisation?
  • What are some of the innovations that your product / service touches upon?
  • Is your product scalable to the masses, if yes how do you plan to scale?
  • What are some of the biggest challenges that you have faced or are facing – domain specific and entrepreneurial journey specific?
  • What motivated you to join the ‘Catalyst for IMPACT’ Program and what support are you looking from this program
  • What social problem have you identified and how are you solving for it?