TVARAN 1.0 was launched in October 2022 as a unique market access accelerator focused on supporting women entrepreneurs tackling climate change. A joint initiative by Cisco (India Cash Grant Program) and Villgro, the program was built to close critical gaps in market access, funding, and mentorship that women-led climate enterprises often face.
With dedicated outreach, 140+ applications were received from across India, out of which 11 promising startups were onboarded for Go-To-Market (GTM) planning support. After a rigorous evaluation by an expert jury, 7 high-impact startups were selected
for acceleration between April to September 2023.
These startups received:
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₹20 lakhs in grant support to implement GTM strategies
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Mentorship from Cisco experts on technology and scale
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Introductions to channel partners, corporates, and VCs to facilitate commercialization and investment
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Targeted technical assistance for pilots and product-market validation
TVARAN 1.0 supports startups operating in four high-impact sectors
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Renewable Energy
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Water & Waste Management
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Climate-smart Agriculture
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Sustainable Mobility
Startups expanded to new geographies
Revenue increased across the board
Commercial pilots were launched in partnership with corporates
Investments were secured for growth and sustainability
Builds a marketplace for the safe disposal of used cooking oil, converting it into biodiesel through a traceable, tech-enabled platform.
Transforming pre-consumer food waste into high-quality insect feed and organic fertilizers using Black Soldier Fly-based bio-conversion.
Manufactures eco-friendly, biodegradable sanitary pads made from Kenaf fiber, offering a sustainable alternative to plastic-based menstrual products.
Collects and recycles plastic waste into usable products like Repolymix—a construction-grade material from low-value plastic.
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Restoring India’s forest cover through community-based agroforestry using geospatial tech and drones to quantify carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
A tech-driven agri-advisory platform helping farmers adopt climate-smart practices with real-time insights and a digital agri-input marketplace.
Runs an EV fleet driven by women for last-mile logistics and commutes—empowering women and redefining sustainable urban mobility.
Builds a marketplace for the safe disposal of used cooking oil, converting it into biodiesel through a traceable, tech-enabled platform.
Transforming pre-consumer food waste into high-quality insect feed and organic fertilizers using Black Soldier Fly-based bio-conversion.
Manufactures eco-friendly, biodegradable sanitary pads made from Kenaf fiber, offering a sustainable alternative to plastic-based menstrual products.
Collects and recycles plastic waste into usable products like Repolymix—a construction-grade material from low-value plastic.
Restoring India’s forest cover through community-based agroforestry using geospatial tech and drones to quantify carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
A tech-driven agri-advisory platform helping farmers adopt climate-smart practices with real-time insights and a digital agri-input marketplace.
Runs an EV fleet driven by women for last-mile logistics and commutes—empowering women and redefining sustainable urban mobility.
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Accelerating Women Entrepreneurs driving Climate Resilience
The objective of the program is to accelerate women entrepreneurs driving innovative solutions in the climate action sector by providing them access to markets & finance.
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Women Entrepreneurs Shaping the World | TVARAN
Villgro and Cisco launched a program that supported the growth and expansion of 7 women-led social enterprises in India. Here's are their stories.