Villgro to host B-plan contest for rural growth

With an aim provide innovative products, services and solutions to the rural poor, Villgro, a social enterprise incubator is set to launch 'Wantrapreneur 09' Business Plan Competition, which challenges entrepreneurs to come out with innovative technology, solutions (products / services) with direct application at the rural level.

The competition will be held under the four categories of agriculture, dairy, energy and water. According to Paul Basil, founder and chief executive officer of Villgro, "We believe that India's true potential lies in its hinterland and we cannot ignore its potential to sustain the next wave of growth in India. Wantrapreneur 09 is a significant initiative to create, nurture and enable several unique products, services, solutions and technology aimed at contributing to rural growth."

Application to the contest is open till October 31, 2009 and the selected winners, in addition to prize money worth Rs 12 lakhs, will also be eligible for incubation opportunity with Villgro and its patrons. The final presentation has been scheduled for December 10.

Established in 2000, Villgro, formerly known as Rural Innovations Network, is a not for profit section-25 company to empower rural development by actively identifying and incubating innovations to promote rural based micro-enterprise business.