Totalstart Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Developers

TotalStart's national flagship programme focuses on incubating and scaling micro and small district entrepreneurs in select states across India. The initiative includes workshops, mentoring, and funding hunts for at least 50 scalable enterprises in 25 regional district hubs. Its goal is to catalyze, mentor, and curate a cohort of a minimum of 50 MSEs over two years, aiming to scale them to Rs 50 crores in the next 5 to 7 years. They concentrate on grassroots entrepreneurship development, aiming to nurture and scale MSEs, FPOs, POs/Clusters, and DIPP, GOI-defined start-ups, particularly emphasizing engaging women entrepreneurs. With a methodical approach, including business model competitions and workshops, TotalStart seeks to identify, mentor, and fund highly scalable entrepreneurs, aiming to fund at least 50 scalable enterprises every two years through various financial institutions and its network of funds.

TSFE, The School For Entrepreneurs, offers a two-year programme across Jadugoda, Kalimpong, Gangtok, and Kolkata. Open to recent graduates, it nurtures those aspiring to start their ventures, emphasizing scalability and funding potential. The rigorous selection process seeks individuals passionate about entrepreneurship, aiming to guide them toward impactful startups. With faculty mentors comprising successful entrepreneurs, TSFE focuses on practical learning. Limited seats ensure a focused experience, aiming to transform aspiring entrepreneurs into successful startup leaders.

TotalStart in Bengal introduces the "TotalStart Blind Youth Entrepreneurship Development Initiative" and inaugurates the "TotalStart Blind Youth Innovation & Incubation Center" in collaboration with the "Society for the Welfare of the Blind" at Sheoraphuli-Rajbati, West Bengal. The event includes speeches from dignitaries highlighting entrepreneurship possibilities and support for visually impaired youth. It aims to empower visually impaired youth to become independent entrepreneurs through hands-on workshops and annual programmes. This initiative responds to the need for self-employment opportunities for visually impaired students, particularly those residing at the Blind Student Hostel in Rajbati. Aspiring visually impaired youth interested in entrepreneurship are invited to participate, with the option of accommodation provided at the centre.

TotalStart supports Mushroomers, a profitable and socially impactful enterprise created and managed by visually challenged and differently-abled youth. Mushroomers, operating as Mushroomag Private Limited, focuses on mushroom spawning, farming, processing, and new food product research. Co-founded by visually challenged youth, it aims to expand, establishing 40 mushroom farming poly-houses, a high-tech lab, and a training centre. Its mission involves creating dignified employment for disabled youth while aiding marginal farmers and providing nutritious mushroom-based products to both urban and rural markets. The enterprise, with a private limited status, aims for a significant shareholding by blind youth, facilitated by TotalStart for potential investors' involvement and inclusion of more disabled youth. Supporting Mushroomers means supporting their perseverance and mission.

TotalStart Bengal, a unit of TotalStart Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Developers, commenced operations in January 2012 in Kolkata, focusing initially on technology-based start-ups. It facilitated the creation of three ventures—TotalApp, TotalPub, and TotalPress—with shared ownership for co-founding employees. Over 50 start-ups were mentored pro-bono, including district-level entrepreneurs. Notably, Little Laureates, a digitally enabled preschool chain, and Ujjeewan Healthcare focused on rural health, were nurtured and seed-funded. Little Laureates secured series A funding from Aavishkaar Ventures. Additionally, SHG Rescue & Agradut, a sanitary napkin manufacturing setup managed by 300 women, operates across districts. These initiatives underscore TotalStart Bengal's dedication to fostering innovative ventures across diverse sectors.