26 Mar 14 ventures announced as winners of NSDC Innovations for Skills Challenge 2014

Fourteen innovative social ventures have been selected as the winners of the 2014 NSDC Innovations for Skills Challenge (NISC), a national competition that aimed to identify and support sustainable and scalable entities that will positively impact the skill development space in India.

In addition to the opportunity to receive funding up to, but not limited to, Rs. 3 crore through debt investment, the winners were rewarded with introductions to industry experts and business leaders, access to discounted working spaces, a six-month mentorship with TiE and national visibility.

The NISC 2014 received an overwhelming response with 172 applications from different parts of India. All applications went through a rigorous review at multiple levels. 34 entities with diverse solutions impacting the skill development ecosystem were selected for the final round. An expert jury evaluated all 34 entities on 2 separate days in Bangalore and Delhi.

The fourteen innovative social ventures selected to go through the NSDC investment process are:

Babajob: Babajob promotes a gender-inclusive job market by connecting women to more and better job opportunities through mobile, IVR, and web interfaces that do not require high levels of literacy or internet connectivity.

Centurion University of Technology and Management: A comprehensive training cum high value agri- horto- flori culture -production program that aims to achieve economic, social and environmental impact.

Fab Repair & Maintenance: This successful pilot, which is currently in the stabilization phase, connects skilled technicians to customers through an online platform.

Induslynk Training Services Pvt Ltd (Mettl): Using proctoring technology Induslynk conducts scalable, real-time assessments and certifications remotely.

JCPL Jagbros Consultants: Through this online training and assessment platform, trainers can create profiles, customize course related to specific skills and manage assessments as well.

Knorish Frameworks: Knorish Frameworks provides a platform for content creation and content delivery by external or in house experts on a variety of fields.

Lets Corp: Lets Corp is a career platform that focuses on skill mapping and career planning through human capital technology and transformation services.

Oyster Learning: This project enhances the work skills of students at all levels of formal education by an innovative system of virtual-based, industry-led live projects.

Qustn Technologies: Qustn’s platform uses proprietary technology to ensure mLearning along with personalized engagement and thus achieving high completion rates & better skilling.

Shar Technologies Group: Shar is a one-stop solution for the challenges faced by stakeholders in the skill development and employment space of both the unorganized and organized sectors.

SkillTrain Training and Consultancy India: SkillTrain enables youth employability by using a blended learning vocational training model with the primary target being rural school dropouts.

Skillveri: Skillveri brings together various players in the skilling space by providing a scalable platform for multiple vocational skills, through a training simulator.

Students Fuel: Pune based Students Fuel provides career-counseling services to students from grades 7 – 12 in rural and semi-urban schools. It aims to create awareness among students about career options, scholarships and entrance exams.

Tamul Plates Private Ltd: Tamul Plates focuses on generating rural livelihoods by producing and marketing biodegradable dinnerware and also providing technical support and financial linkages to rural areca nut – commonly referred to as betel nut – producers.