Give A Job
Change A Life
Upaya Social Ventures creates dignified jobs for the poorest of the poor. We build a ladder out of extreme poverty, creating lasting impact where it is needed most.
By investing in and consulting with businesses that share our commitment to create opportunity for the poorest of the poor,
Upaya has accelerated 20 businesses. We have invested in 14 businesses** that have so far created 7,769 jobs.
We start by selecting early-stage entrepreneurs to join our accelerator program.
We select up to three businesses from each accelerator for investments and ongoing consulting support.
The businesses we partner with have created thousands of dignified jobs for the poor in their communities.
Read the stories of the jobholders whose lives are being transformed through your contribution to Upaya.
Plate Maker & Trainer, Barpeta, Assam
Craftsman & Designer, Mirze Town, Assam
Paper Maker, Mirze Town, Assam
Upaya Social Ventures was recently featured in GeekWire's Impact Series which focuses on organizations that are using innovative solutions to solve societal challenges.
Mansi Agarwal, Founder & CEO of Upaya's newest investment, UpSkill, was recently interviewed by Global Washington Executive Director, Kristen Dailey, in a series focused on employment and skills training in the developing world. Watch the full interview from Global Washington to learn more about how UpSkill is creating dignified jobs for India's disadvantaged youth.
Earlier this year, we at Upaya wrote about the tenacious female founders in our portfolio and how their companies were outperforming the others. We asked them what piece of advice they would give to other aspiring women entrepreneurs. From their insights, several themes emerged. . .
In a piece written for NextBillion.net, Upaya's CEO, Sachi Shenoy, and board member, Nathan Byrd, discuss the challenges and opportunities around pioneering capital, and how impact investors can do so much more with much less.
Looking back on 2017, we are optimistic that the Women’s March, the #MeToo movement, and the surging wave of women running for office are all feeding a trend that will soon assure women equal access to opportunities in all industries, and seats at the head of the table.
*Source: Taking on Inequality: Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2016, The World Bank
** Includes two investments in term sheet stage
Global Washington's March newsletter featured Kate Cochran, CEO of Upaya Social Ventures, as this month's changemaker. The article shares Kate's journey into international development, and how she ultimately became the CEO of Upaya.