Upaya Social Ventures was founded in 2011 to create dignified jobs for people living in extreme poverty by building scalable businesses with investment and consulting support.
Our Goal
300,000 dignified jobs by 2030
Our Impact
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Early-stage companies that are too large for microfinance but not yet ready for traditional investments are driving the creation of dignified work for those in the most extreme poverty. We’re often the first institutional investor for our portfolio partners.
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For us, impact is not just about the quantity of jobs created, but the quality of those jobs — especially for people who most need the stability and safety that comes from a steady income.
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Through our pioneering recycled philanthropy model, we provide capital that is more patient and more outcomes-driven. The companies in our portfolio represent some of the most challenging geographies and industries in India, where most investors won’t dare to go. We take that risk because that’s how we can move more people out of extreme poverty.
Upaya is an award-winning impact-first nonprofit organization with a unique mandate
Build a dignified future for all.
At Upaya, we believe that a dignified job is the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of extreme poverty. Over the past decade, we have worked alongside entrepreneurs, funders, and impact investors to build businesses that create meaningful jobs for India’s most vulnerable communities.
Now, we are setting our sights on an ambitious new goal—enabling the creation of 300,000 dignified jobs in India by 2030.
Our Strategic Plan 2030 outlines how we will scale our impact through responsive capital, catalytic partnerships, and evidence-based insights. But we cannot do this alone.
Let’s work together to make dignified employment a reality for hundreds of thousands of families.