HDFC Bank has invited applications from startups and solo entrepreneurs for its SmartUp grants under #Parivartan, the bank’s umbrella CSR brand. #Parivartan is aimed at finding and deploying long-term, sustainable solutions at scale, to address social issues and contribute to the economic and social development of the country. This year, the bank is focusing on startups creating social impact at scale in sectors such as education – technology (ed-tech) and skill development, among others. The bank has partnered with 9 startup incubators registered with the Government of India’s MeitY platform. The nine incubators are from premier institutes and include IIT, Delhi, IIT-BHU, AIC BIMTECH Noida, IIM Kashipur, GUSEC Gujarat, C-CAMP Bangalore, Banasthali University, Jaipur, Villgro Incubation, Chennai, and T-HUB Hyderabad. The bank has kept the selection criteria as market reach, penetration and scalability of the product, degree of social impact in beneficiaries’ lives and economic viability of product at scale.
