Jamshedpur: Santa Clara University’s GSBI (Global Social Benefit Incubator) is a globally-known program, which was started by the Santa Clara University in 2003. Every year, GSBI screens and selects about 15-20 social ventures from across the globe, and provides them with incubates them by providing technical inputs and mentoring and some grant to make them investor-ready. Over the year, there are about 30 GSBI alumni social ventures in India, which include some of the globally well-known organizations such as Gram Vikas, Jaipur Rugs, Drishtee, Mother Earth, Husk Power Systems, Video Volunteers, Naandi Foundation, etc. As GSBI’s Indian partner, XLRI Jamshedpur will identify and recommend Indian social entrepreneurs to GSBI for incubation and access to seasoned Silicon Valley mentors. In addition, XLRI will also partner with SCU to conduct due-diligence on the applicant Indian ventures to ensure appropriate potential and quality. Many GSBI’ Indian incubatees have also expressed a desire for continued mentoring on an as-needed basis after their graduation from SCU’s GSBI program. As the Indian partner, faculty from XLRI will provide this post-incubation mentoring support to the Indian social ventures.
According to Prof Madhukar Shukla of XLRI, who will be coordinating this partnership, “With about 30 GSBI social ventures in India, which range from the well-established ones to very young start-ups, there is an enormous potential to facilitate mentoring relationship among the GSBI alumni themselves.” XLRI will also be hosting the GSBI Alumni Network in India, and provide them with opportunities for interaction as well as access to innovation resources through XLRI faculty and alumni networks. XLRI and SCU also plan to collaborate to develop case-studies of the GSBI’s Indian alumni ventures. “These case-studies will be a valuable academic resource to promote learning about sustainable models of socio-economic development, and will help dissemination of practices and lessons learned in the social entrepreneurial space” said Prof. Shukla. Having developed and tested the model for fostering social entrepreneurship through its GSBI program over years, Santa Clara University is aiming to form international partnerships across the campuses to promote and support social entrepreneurship. This partnership with XLRI Jamshedpur is the first international partnership which Santa Clara University has formed.