The Karnataka Department of Social Welfare has launched Unnati, a scheme to foster entrepreneurs working on rural and social impact technologies. As part of the scheme, the department will invest up to Rs 20 crore to create end-to-end support infrastructure for start-ups and entrepreneurs from a marginalised background.

The first stream of Unnati is technology innovation. Many people across the State are doing it, but entrepreneurs from SC/ST background are denied a chance. This scheme will identify and promote these entrepreneurs. The second stream of Unnati is social impact. Unnati will identify companies that are working on products and solutions for problems that are plaguing both the Government and society at large.

“This has been done with the renewed focus on entrepreneurship and with an aim to deliver sustainable development and social welfare which will identify, mentor, and promote young entrepreneurs from the SC/ST communities,” said Priyank Kharge, Karnataka Minister for Social Welfare.

He added: “The department will provide up to Rs 50 lakhs to winning entrepreneurs to develop tech-based solutions that are innovative, novel and have meaningful social impact.”

Lauding the scheme, Dr G Parameshwara, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, said, “Often, technological innovations reach the SC/ST communities and other vulnerable sections quite late. Historically oppressed and marginalised, hardworking and brilliant young entrepreneurs from these communities suffer due to lack of access to capital, networks, and markets. The Unnati scheme is designed specially to address these systemic issues. We hope our young entrepreneurs make full use of the scheme.”

He also invited the industry and other stakeholders to join the government in taking technology and development to all parts of the State.

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