We conduct several events to support and promote social entrepreneurship. Watch out this space for more updates.
Tata Social Enterprise Challenge (TSEC) – a joint initiative of the Tata Group and the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) held the second seminar series, ‘Thinking Social’, at Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (PG), Pune on 3rd October 2015. The day-long seminar sought to introduce students from top professional colleges in India to the spirit of social entrepreneurship in a rapidly evolving global economy and addressed the concerns of young, budding entrepreneurs belonging to reputed B-Schools such as Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communications (SIMC), Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIMB) and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). The speakers for the day comprised eminent social entrepreneurs, academicians and senior corporate executives working extensively in the Indian social entrepreneurship space.
The event kick-started with Prof. Chandan Chatterjee, Director, SIMC Pune, delivering the inaugural address and welcoming all the dignitaries. Highlighting the institute’s keenness towards inculcating a spirit of social sensitivity and proactivity amongst its students, he spoke of the student-initiated and driven Social Responsibility Cell called SIMCare, the acronym CARE standing for Compassion, Appreciation, Respect and Empathy.
Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO – IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) shared with the audience IIMC’s journey on entrepreneurship, IIMCIP’s vision & activities and how TSEC emerged as one of the biggest platform for the social entrepreneurs in India. He stressed on the importance of involving fresh minds in solving some of the social challenges faced by India. He motivated the students by saying, “Young minds like you can provide innovative solutions to our current problems”.
Read MoreTata Social Enterprise Challenge (TSEC) – a joint initiative of the Tata Group and the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) held the second edition of the student seminars, ‘Thinking Social’, at IIT Guwahati on 29 August 2015.
The day-long seminar had about 90 participants and it sought to introduce students to the concept of social entrepreneurship and inspire them to start their own venture that solves some of the challenges faced by the society. The speakers for the day comprised eminent entrepreneurs, who have established their own outstanding ventures in the Indian social entrepreneurship space and sought to address the concerns of young, budding entrepreneurs.
Mr Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, welcomed the participants for this event and explained the objective of the seminar on “Thinking Social.”
Mr Biswanath Sinha, Associate Director of Tata Trusts addressed the audience by presenting the core values of the TATA group. He gave an overview of the activities conducted by TATA trusts to support social enterprises that benefit the community and the country. Concluding his speech he said “I hope many young entrepreneurs will emerge from this region and make changes which are beneficial to the society.”
Read MoreThe most awaited and one of the biggest social entrepreneurship event of India, Tata Social Enterprise Challenge (TSEC) was launched on 7th August 2015. TATA Social Enterprise Challenge is a joint initiative by the TATA group and the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta). This challenge aims to raise awareness about social entrepreneurship, promotes social entrepreneurship and encourages the youth to step up to be the next generation of social entrepreneurs. After completing 3 successful years, it has entered the 4th edition with a lot more expectations and innovative ideas.
The featured speakers in the event launch were Prof. Ashok Banerjee – Director, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, Mr Subhrangshu Sanyal – CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and Anindya Kar – an Entrepreneur and an IIM Calcutta Alumnus. Prof. Banerjee encouraged students to conceive ideas for start-ups and make use of the facilities provided by the IIMC Innovation Park.
Anindya Kar, alumnus of IIM Calcutta’s 2003-05 batch, inspired students with his own entrepreneurship journey and inspired students to take up entrepreneurship as a career.
Mr. Subhrangshu Sanyal distributed the prizes to students who topped in TSEC quiz and complemented them for showing interest to be part of the TSEC family.
This year TSEC aims to get bigger and better. We are aiming to reach out to Institutes not only in India but also aiming to reach out to International Institutions. The last day to submit the Impact Proposal is 7 October 2015.
Read MoreTata Social Enterprise Challenge (TSEC) – a joint initiative of the Tata group and the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) held the fourth in the series of student seminars on ‘Thinking Social’ seminar series, organized by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), on March 21st 2015 at Tiruchirapalli, with the National Institute of Technology- Tiruchirapalli, as the host Institution. The day-long seminar was attended by around 100 strong audience representing the students, academia and NGOs/Institutions.
The speakers of the day comprised of Prof Satyajit Majumdar from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences; eminent social entrepreneur Sriram V Ayer, founder of Nalanda Way Foundation; local social entrepreneur Dr Ajay Kumar Tannirkulam, Founder of Magasool, Prof G. Kannabiran from NIT-Trichy and Prof Chandradeep Mitra from IIM Calcutta. Connecting the youth to social enterprise, the speakers shared their perspective on the key challenges, opportunities and learning’s in the social entrepreneurship space.
Read MoreThe third thematic roundtable of “TSEC Thinking Social Roundtable” series, organized by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIP), was held on 27th February 2015 in Mumbai, under the aegis of Tata Social Enterprise Challenge (TSEC).
The Mumbai Chapter of IIM Calcutta Alumni Association was instrumental in supporting the Roundtable. The theme of the Roundtable was ‘Bridging the Education Gap’. The main objective of this roundtable was to provide a platform, for the champions of education entrepreneurship ecosystem to exchange their experiences and ideas thereby perhaps create a set of best practices for the industry to emulate.
The thematic TSEC Roundtable was structured with an introductory address from IIP and the TATA Groups followed by Panel discussion with subsequent Q&A round and ending with a valedictory and thanking note from the IIMC Alumni Mumbai Chapter.
Read MoreTata Social Enterprise Challenge 2014-15 kicked-off on August 25, 2014 and invited social entrepreneurs who either had an early stage venture (not older than three years) or a promising idea with a plan that could create sustainable social impact in India. Impact proposals (detailed business plans) were invited in the areas of education, health, agriculture, technology, sanitation, and handicrafts, among others.
These proposals were to be judged on three parameters – business model, social impact and sustainability. The last day to submit them online was November 15, 2014.
All the top 20 teams which were selected were mentored by Ashoka Innovators for the Public and Villgro, and the IIM Calcutta faculty. The social VC partners of the initiative were Acumen, Ankur Capital, Yunus Social Business and Ennovent. The teams also had an opportunity to network with mentors, experts and fellow social entrepreneurs.
The ceremony featured special talks by M Anshu Gupta, Founder Goonj, Dr SP Gon Chaudhuri, founder of India’s first renewable energy college – NB Institute for Rural Development (NBIRT), Dr Sabahat Azim, Founder Glocal and Dr NS Rajan, Member – Group Executive Council and Chief Group Human Resources Officer, Tata Sons.
The winners of the contest were announced during the grand finale which was held on 17 January 2015 at the IIM Calcutta campus. SAANS from Bangalore (Winner), Godavari Women Weaver’s Services Producer Company (GWWSPC) from Mandapeta, Andhra Pradesh (first runners-up) and Ultrasafe Ultrasound from Kolkata (second runners-up) emerged as the top three most promising social ventures, winning prize money of Rs 2 lakhs, Rs 1.5 lakhs and Rs 1.25 lakhs, respectively.
Read MoreThe second thematic roundtable of “TSEC Thinking Social Roundtable” series, organized by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIP), was held on 19th December 2014 at the Park Sheraton Hotels & Tower in Chennai, under the aegis of Tata Social Enterprise Challenge (TSEC). The Chennai chapter of IIM Calcutta Alumni Association was instrumental in supporting the Roundtable. The theme of the Roundtable was ‘Clean Energy’. The main objective of this roundtable was to provide a platform, for the champions of Clean Energy entrepreneurship ecosystem to exchange their experiences and ideas thereby perhaps create a set of best practices for the industry to emulate.
The thematic TSEC Roundtable was structured around an introductory address from IIP and the Chennai chapter of IIM Calcutta Alumni Association followed by Panel discussion with subsequent Q&A round and ending with a valedictory and vote of thanks from the IIMC Alumni Chennai chapter.
Read MoreTata Social Enterprise Challenge (TSEC) – a joint initiative of the Tata group and the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) held the third in the series of student seminars on ‘Thinking Social’ seminar series, organized by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIP), on December 13 2014 at Noida, with the School of Management & Entrepreneurship, Shiv Nadar University, as the host Institution. Fulfilling the main objective of these TSEC “Thinking Social” seminars of connecting youth to social enterprise there was a strong student presence at the TSEC “Thinking Social” seminar in Noida, with many amongst them budding entrepreneurs.
The day-long seminar was attended by almost 100 students from across colleges in NCR. The speakers for the day comprised eminent social entrepreneurs like Ms. Kamini Prakash, Board Member, Pravah and Ms. Meenu Vadera, Director, Sakha Consulting Wings Pvt. Ltd. and Trustee, Azad Foundation who have established their own outstanding ventures in the Indian social entrepreneurship space. They shared their experience as social entrepreneurs with those present and addressed the issues and concerns of the young, budding entrepreneurs in the audience.
Read MoreThe second “Thinking Social” seminar series, organized by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIP), was held on November 29th 2014 at Pune, with Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (Pune), a constituent institute under Symbiosis International University as the host Institution under the aegis of Tata Social Enterprise Challenge (TSEC). As the main objective of these TSEC “Thinking Social” seminars is to connect youth to social enterprise it was very heartening to see a strong student presence at the TSEC “Thinking Social” seminar in Pune.
The speakers for the day comprised eminent entrepreneurs, who have established their own outstanding ventures in the Indian social entrepreneurship space and sought to address the concerns of young, budding entrepreneurs. The speakers shared their immense knowledge on social entrepreneurship with around 200 strong audience representing the students, academia and NGOs/ institutions.
Read MoreThe maiden thematic roundtable of “TSEC Thinking Social Roundtable” series, organized by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIP), was held on 28th November 2014 in Bengaluru, under the aegis of Tata Social Enterprise Challenge (TSEC).
The Bengaluru Chapter of IIM Calcutta Alumni Association was instrumental in supporting the Roundtable. The theme of the Roundtable was ‘Providing Affordable Healthcare’. The main objective of this roundtable was to provide a platform, for the champions of healthcare entrepreneurship ecosystem to exchange their experiences and ideas thereby perhaps create a set of best practices for the industry to emulate.
The thematic TSEC Roundtable was structured with an introductory address from IIP and the TATA Groups followed by Panel discussion with subsequent Q&A round and ending with a valedictory and thanking note from the IIMC Alumni Bengaluru Chapter.
Read MoreThe first “Thinking Social” seminar series, organized by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIP), was held on 1 November 2014 at IIT Guwahati as the host Institution under the aegis of Tata Social Enterprise Challenge (TSEC).The primary objective of the seminar was to create awareness about social enterprises among the students and showcase the pioneering efforts of the social entrepreneurs in North East.
The list of speakers included noted social entrepreneurs like Mr. Anshu Gupta, the founder of Goonj, Ms. Hasina Kharbhih, the founder of the Impulse NGO Network and Impulse Social Enterprises, Mr. Neichute Doulo, the Founder of Entrepreneurs Associates in Nagaland, and a team from Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research.
Read MoreThe second edition of the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge began in November 2013 with Impact Proposals (detailed Business Plans) being invited in the areas of agriculture, food and dairy, healthcare, water and sanitation, technology and development, education, housing, handicrafts, energy and microfinance/financial inclusion. The last day to submit the impact proposal (business plan) online was 21 November 2013.
This year’s edition attracted over 160 entries from across India and Bulgaria, showing wide interest in the area of social entrepreneurship.
The challenge included special session by Dr Harish Hande, co-founder and MD, SELCO India and Shankar Venkateswaran, chief, Tata Sustainability Group. There was also a one-day themed workshop organised between the semi-finals and finals of the challenge. The workshop was not only for the participants but also to other social entrepreneurs and people with a general interest in the social enterprise sector.
The winners of the contest were announced during the grand finale which was held on 17 January 2014 at the IIM Calcutta campus. MicroXlabs (winner), Bodhi Health Care (first runners-up) and Green Agrevolution Pvt Ltd (second runners-up), emerged as the top three most promising social ventures, winning prize money of Rs 1.75 lakh, Rs 1.25 lakh and Rs 1 lakh, respectively.
Read MoreThe first edition of the Tata Social Enterprise challenge commenced in December 2012 with entries received from around the world. The shortlisted Top 20 teams were given a platform to experience first-class mentorship and training at the IIM-C campus as a part of the challenge.
Overall top 20 promising ventures, including the 2 winning entries, were selected from a pool of 164 impact proposals, submitted entries, from across multiple sectors, namely education, health, agriculture, energy, technology, housing, handicrafts and microfinance, amongst others. The entries received were from different corners of the world, including the US, the Netherlands, Nigeria and South Africa. The bulk of the entries were from India, including places like Delhi, Dehradun, Nainital and Tehri Garhwal in the north; Chennai, Pollachi, Coimbatore, Mysore and Trichy in the south; Jaipur, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Pune and Mumbai in the west; and Bhubaneshwar, Patna and Kolkata in the east.
IIM Calcutta hosted the grand finale event of the first Tata Social Enterprise Challenge on 20 January 2013 followed by a Social Entrepreneurship Conference where the winners were felicitated. Greenway Grameen Infra and Ottoclave were declared winners of the first edition of Tata Social Enterprise Challenge, winning prize money of Rs 1.5 and Rs 1 lakh respectively
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