Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Saturday launched The Bharat Project—a YourStory initiative that aims to empower entrepreneurs from Tier II, III cities and rural India.
The project, which was announced in Mumbai, will bring together the government, ecosystem enablers, creators, and communities to unlock grassroots potential and democratise access to entrepreneurial tools, funding, and education. “The spirit of entrepreneurship in Bharat is unstoppable. With the right support, India’s small towns can become global hubs of innovation.
The Bharat Project is a timely initiative that will take the energy of our youth to new heights,” said the Minister at the unveiling.
Under the project, entrepreneurs will get access to an AI-powered mobile-first platform that will give startup founders access to mentorship in both Hindi and English. It will also provide state-led, district-level activations and WhatsApp-based learning programmes to train and empower the youth to start and scale their businesses.
The project will also host Bharat Ideathon—a nationwide idea challenge that will scout for promising business ideas from over 1,000 districts and enable aspiring entrepreneurs to get access to mentorship and visibility.
The initiative will organise a national launchpad, BharatSparks, where selected entrepreneurs from Tier II and III cities will get a chance to pitch to investors, access grants, and build long-term support systems. As part of this initiative, a seven-part OTT documentary, titled Shuru-kar, will be released featuring startup stories, investors, and policymakers. YourStory’s initiative comes amidst rising entrepreneurial scope in Tier II and III towns and rural areas, where about 65% of India lives.
However, founders in these regions often struggle to get access to funding, mentorship, and technology. The Bharat Project aims to change that by turning isolated talent into a national movement. “India’s future is not limited to metros. It’s brewing in the kitchens, backyards, and streets of Bharat.
The Bharat Project is a step towards ensuring that every aspiring entrepreneur has access to resources, stories, and support to turn their idea into impact,” said Shradha Sharma, Founder and CEO, YourStory.
