Have an idea that can change lives? Announcing Villgro's Business Plan Competition, WANTRAPRENEUR

There are innumerable examples of business plan competitions held in India which help entrepreneurs take new ideas to the market. The focus is shifting from connecting venture capitalists and entrepreneurs to connecting social venture capitalists and social entrepreneurs. The prevalent BPCs also tend to focus on ventures which are mature and need growth capital rather than seed capital.

However, there has been no focus on the rural poor as a targeted segment of these business plan competitions. Villgro aims at bringing this focus through WANTRAPRENEUR.

WANTRAPRENEUR is for people with innovative and entrepreneurial minds looking at market based models to serve the rural poor. The key sectors will be Agriculture, Energy, Water and Dairy.

The primary motive of WANTRAPRENEUR is to provide entrepreneurs (micro, small and medium as well as social entrepreneurs) with a platform of support and mentoring, enabling them to service the rural poor. Villgro is seeking both product and service-based business plans, thus also providing Villgro with a pipeline of potential incubates.

WANTRAPRENEUR seeks entries from entrepreneurs in the Start-up and Early Growth phases. The primary differentiating factors between start up and early growth companies will be funding, years of operation and financial statements. The secondary factors would be market research data, sales strategy and strategic alliances.

The winners of WANTRAPRENEUR will be recognized and awarded cash prizes totaling 12 L (approximately $24,000) at the Villgro Awards Ceremony and will be eligible for due diligence screening for funding support from Villgro.

SO ... have a business idea that will change the lives of the rural poor? PLEASE APPLY NOW!

WEBSITE: http://villgro.org/wantrapreneur/

DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31, 2009