Only for serious, commited and self diciplined entrepreneurs who cannot avail them selfs to the regular
14-week past paced, fixed scheduled ignite program!
This is LEVEL 1 Application to determine fitment with the program. If shortlisted, you may be called for a group discussion or personal interview. If selected, you will be invited to onboard the program platform, attend the mandatory online Registration and Orientation session, to be allowed entry into the program.
The IGNITE Self Learning is delivered over 5 months remotely online via the Wadhwani NEN Platform where all content, guides and lessons are hosted. Entrepreneurs will have to commit and be self-disciplined to complete the program primarily on their own by watch the recorded classes, applying the concepts and building their milestones as per the monthly schedule. All entrepreneurs will be able to attend a Live Coaching Lab Session via Zoom every second week, links will be shared via calendar and platform invitations.
You will also be required to do 4 x live (via Zoom) Milestone presentations to a panel of mentors and experts over the course of the program!
Join Wadhwani IGNITE Self Learning Entrepreneurship Program
- If you have a serious idea or are an early-stage startup team or individual and feel the urgency to startup or make your startup successful, this program is for you.
- You must have a PC and reliable stable internet connectivity to participate.
- Program is competitive, fast paced, exciting and hard work. if selected, you and your team, will receive a full Scholarship to participate. You will have no cost other than your time and cost of your data. however, it will require commitment, perseverance and dedication to continue to stay in the program and for you to derive the value for yourself and your business.
Do you as an institution or organization want to partner with us?
You can partner with Wadhwani Foundation’s Entrepreneurship program and let your community be eligible for Wadhwani TakeOff.
Program
14 weeks journey | Limited seats – competitive selection | 4 Milestones to measure progress | Milestone pitching to present confidently | 35 hrs of reference content | Expert facilitator | Global & Local Experts & Mentors to support the journey
Hands on Learning & Application program to build along your venture
The Wadhwani IGNITE Program is an entrepreneurship program based on experiential learning that aims to support startups’ founders through a structured pathway from Minimum Viable Concept to an Investable Pitch Deck. This practitioner’s program will enable entrepreneurs to:
- Assess and analyze their current business model
- Articulate a compelling Value Proposition
- Identify risky assumptions, gaps, and obstacles; iterate to a sustainable business model
- Practice, test and build a Validated MVP in an efficient manner
- Select and execute an appropriate Go-to-Market Strategy
Selection criteria
A mature ‘Idea’ or a ‘New Venture’
Aptitude, attitude and discipline to learn venture building frameworks and apply them to own idea and or venture
Respect for time and for the program requirements
Passion and a sense of urgency to build a successful venture
Responsiveness and participation
Partners /Teams (at least 2) get preference
Selection Process
- Complete application with video submissions (incomplete applications will be rejected)
- Shortlisted based on criteria, and quality of application information and submissions
- May be called for a personal interview or a group discussion
- Timely sign up on WF technology platform post intimation of selection to your registered email id
Please note this is a ‘full scholarship’ program. Selection is stringent. Staying in the program requires effort and regular work. Selected participants are of value to their peers as well – opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, questions, business pitches, feedback and observations.
The program’s resources are to be matched with those that are serious and willing to make the most of the program. So please do note that you could be asked to leave the program for any one of these or similar reasons – if you are not an active participant, if you do not put in the required work as per the structure of the program, or do not produce quality output in your milestone and final business pitches.
Program Format
The program is experiential and focused on individualized advancement and progress of ventures and entrepreneurs. It is also designed to help you become familiar with and able to leverage new generation tools for your venture as well as become confident to present your venture to external stakeholders including investors, incubator managers, customers etc.
Program delivery is supported by Wadhwani Foundation’s GENIE technology platform and tools like zoom and google site. Some details include:
- Program structure and reference content accessed via GENIE
- Group chat, session details, program calendar, links to sessions, important notifications and connects to mentors and coaches for doubt clearance via GENIE
- Facilitated Concept, Application, Masterclasses, and other AMA sessions via zoom
- Venture pitch development via google site
- Venture pitch practice via ZOOM session
You will be required to put in 3-4 hours of work every week apart from the weekly sessions to derive the real benefit of the program. Please apply only if you expect to get the full benefit of the program and are willing to put in the work required to succeed. We wish you the very best and look forward to seeing you soon.
Calendar
Cohort starting on the 15th of Sept 2022 to end Feb 31st, 2023
Program launch date
- September 15, 2022
Application closes on September 5th, 2022 at midnight SAST
Selected applicants notified by September 6th, 2022
Please note your email used for application so you don’t miss notification. Failure to sign up in time will result in you losing your seat.
Program Benefits to Participants
- Readiness to launch a new venture in 14 weeks
- A refined, market validated Business and financial model and go to market strategy
- A pitch deck ready for incubator/accelerator/investor as relevant
- Practice (mock) pitching sessions with real investors and incubator managers for the top teams
- Certificates for the teams whose pitch decks are validated by WF’s global jury panels
- Other global competitive incentives under development
Journey Map
Milestone 1
Week 1 – 4
Problem
Sharpen your problem pitch
Customer and Markets
Sustainable Differentiation Strategy
Milestone 2
Week 5 – 7
MVP / Product
Business Model and Testing Riskiest assumptions
Minimum Lovable product
Milestone 4
Week 12 – 14
Growth
Managing growth
Targeting Scale
Funding Strategy
Milestone 3
Week 8 – 11
Business Plan
Sustainable Business Plan
Go to market Strategy
Branding Positioning
Milestone 1
Week 1 – 4
Problem
Sharpen your problem pitch
Customer and Markets
Sustainable Differentiation Strategy
Milestone 2
Week 5 – 7
MVP / Product
Business Model and Testing Riskiest assumptions
Minimum Lovable product
Milestone 3
Week 8 – 11
Business Plan
Sustainable Business Plan
Go to market Strategy
Branding Positioning
Milestone 4
Week 12 – 14
Growth
Managing growth
Targeting Scale
Funding Strategy
Testimonials
FAQs
Can the chosen team member be replaced by another from the same team?
A team member, owing to sickness or any unavoidable circumstance, can be replaced by any of the other participant who is a team member.
Will I get help to prepare my pitch if I get shortlisted?
Yes, our faculty and mentors will work with the shortlisted entrepreneurs to help with the pitch preparation.
Is my Intellectual Property protected?
As we receive many applications from Startups with similar ideas/focus areas, please do not ask for an NDA at this stage.
All the application data that you share is confidential and will not be shared with anyone apart from the WF team.
Is there a participant fee for the event?
There is no participant fee.
Will you provide funding for my business?
WF does not fund Startups directly. However, if selected, participants have the opportunity to pitch to investors, venture capitalists, influential industry leaders and corporations.
Is this program only for tech Startups or is there any other specific sector focus?
We are sector-agnostic but emphasize on Startups that have the potential for high growth irrespective of the sector.
I have applied but haven’t heard back yet? When will I get a reply?
We receive many applications and review them individually but will not be able to respond to everyone individually. If you are shortlisted for the next round of selection process, you will definitely hear from us soon.
What is Wadhwani Foundation?
Wadhwani Foundation’s primary mission is accelerating economic development in emerging economies by driving large-scale job creation through entrepreneurship, innovation and skills development. Founded in 2000 by Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Dr. Romesh Wadhwani, today the Foundation is scaling impact in 25 countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Visit us at https://www.wfglobal.org/ to learn more.
What is Wadhwani Entrepreneur (WE)?
Wadhwani Entrepreneur empowers students and professionals with knowledge and skills to create high-potential startups thereby leading to high-value job creation.
Who is Dr. Romesh Wadhwani?
Dr. Romesh Wadhwani is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist and the Founding Chairman and CEO of $3.5 billion Symphony Technology Group (1999), Founder and Chairman of Wadhwani Foundation (2003) and the Founding Chairman of PE firm Symphony AI (2018). Until 1999, he built three successful companies, the last of which was exited at over $9 billion. Dr. Wadhwani is also a member of the Gates Buffet Giving Pledge, Board Member of Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C and a President Obama appointee to the Board of Trustees of the John. F. Kennedy Center.