The Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) and NITI Aayog have forged a strategic partnership to foster vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystems across India. This collaboration will kick off with pilot initiatives in Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, and Uttar Pradesh, focusing on place-based interventions to empower local entrepreneurs.
A Collaborative Approach to Local Ecosystems
The partnership aims to bring together key stakeholders in each region’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, including government bodies, corporates, educational institutions, financial organizations, champion entrepreneurs, and community groups. By designing localized solutions tailored to regional challenges, GAME and NITI Aayog seek to transform entrepreneurship into a movement that drives economic growth and job creation.
Ishtiyaque Ahmed, Programme Director - Industry/MSME, NITI Aayog: “Our approach is rooted in end-to-end facilitation and collaboration across sectors. There is a need to leverage a bottom-up approach and work closely with local entrepreneurs and champions, understand their needs, and support them in addressing their challenges.”
Pilot Initiatives and Proven Methodologies
The pilot sites will adopt GAME’s proven methodologies, which focus on enabling entrepreneurs to start and scale businesses through:
- Access to finance
- Capacity-building programs
- Policy advocacy
- Community-driven initiatives
These interventions aim to create self-sustaining ecosystems that generate widespread employment opportunities and foster innovation.
Ketul Acharya, President of GAME: “At GAME, we believe that entrepreneurship has the power to transform lives and communities. Our partnership with NITI Aayog is a significant step toward realizing our mission of enabling a movement of millions of people starting and growing businesses, using local inputs to serve local needs as well as other markets.”
GAME’s Legacy in Mass Entrepreneurship
Since its inception in 2018, GAME has been a catalyst for mass entrepreneurship in India. Through research, pilot programs, and policy advocacy, the organization has empowered over 300,000 entrepreneurs by facilitating access to credit, markets, and place-based interventions. GAME’s initiatives have particularly focused on women entrepreneurs, MSME ecosystems, and sustainable business models in underserved regions.
Driving Inclusive Growth
The GAME-NITI Aayog collaboration is poised to address systemic barriers to entrepreneurship by fostering healthy local ecosystems. Entrepreneurs will benefit from resources such as access to credit, markets, mentors, and peer networks. By prioritizing local contexts and multi-level partnerships, this initiative aims to nurture a culture of entrepreneurship with local ownership, creating a lasting impact on India’s economic landscape.
About GAME
The Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) is dedicated to sparking a nationwide movement of mass entrepreneurship. By addressing challenges related to finance, markets, and regulation, GAME collaborates across financial, educational, and policy systems to unlock entrepreneurial potential. Its multifaceted approach has supported over 300,000 entrepreneurs through various interventions.