Artha Impact Awards

Artha Impact will support three craft-led enterprises driving innovation that can span a broad range of impact areas.

Education & Skilling

Artisan-First Models

Dignified Job Creation

Gender Inclusion

What each enterprise gets

Cash Prizes

A total of ₹12 lakhs will be awarded, with at least one enterprise receiving an ₹8 lakh cash award.

Network Support

A total of ₹12 lakhs will be awarded, with at least one enterprise receiving an ₹8 lakh cash award.

Eligibility Criteria:

• A well-governed management team
• At least 10-12 months of business operations
• Product prototypes ready
• Detailed plan for how the capital will be used
• Min. 2-3 trackable metrics on job creation, livelihoods, or other impact areas
• Willingness to create a detailed Entrepreneur Profile on the Artha Platform

About Artha Impact:

An initiative of Rianta Capital Zurich, Artha Impact accelerates capital flow to sustainable enterprises in India. The Artha Platform is an online community connecting impact investors, social entrepreneurs, and capacity-building intermediaries to support Indian organisations.

Visit the website

Catalyst AIC Awards

₹1 Crore

Total Fund
Value

Catalyst AIC will support up to four promising early-stage enterprises working with traditional Indian crafts.

Tech or design-led solutions that help create meaningful livelihoods are preferred.

Direct work and intervention with last-mile artisan communities will be prioritised.

₹1 Crore

Total Fund
Value

What each enterprise gets

Patient Investment

Up to ₹50 Lakhs in equity, convertible debt,
or debt.

In-Kind Support

Infrastructure valued at ₹15 lakhs over two years (office/creative spaces, partner retails, etc.).

Early-Stage Grants

Up to ₹15 Lakhs for MVP-stage enterprises (not older than 2 years).

Networks

Innovators will be paired with mentors who will guide and support them in implementing their ideas.

Visibility

Winners will be featured across 200M platforms and reach wider audiences.

Access to Kula Conclave

Complimentary invites to Kula Conclave (This award does not include travel or accommodation expenses in Jaipur).

Eligibility Criteria:

• For-profit legal entity in revenue stage, with verifiable early consumer traction.

• Direct intervention and product innovation with artisan communities with validated social and economic impact.

• Operating for minimum of 6 months and maximum of 4 years since incorporation.

• Registered with DPIIT, Govt. of India and/or recognised registration as a startup with respective state governments.

About Catalyst AIC:

Catalyst is an innovation accelerator set up by IFMR Society in Jaipur. The centre has been supported by several backers of global repute, such as NITI Aayog, USAID, HDFC among others. It helps scale inclusive tech startups which are building scalable digital technology solutions that enhance livelihoods of India's marginalised communities.

Visit the website

Artisan Innovator Awards

₹5 Lakhs+

Total Award Value

Artisan innovator awards will support three to five artisan entrepreneurs driving grassroots community-led innovation in one or more of the following areas:

New Product &
Design Directions

Sustainable Materials
and Processes

Craft Preservation
or Revival

₹5 Lakhs+

Total Award Value

What each enterprise gets

Cash Prizes

Selected entrepreneurs stand to win ₹50,000 to ₹1 Lakh in cash prizes.

Networks

Innovators will be paired with mentors who will guide and support them in implementing their ideas.

Visibility

Winners will be featured across 200M platforms and reach wider audiences.

Access to Kula Conclave

Complimentary invites to Kula Conclave, with travel and stay in Jaipur fully covered.

Eligibility Criteria:

• At least 10-12 months of business operations.

• MSME registration and Artisan/Pehchan Card .

• Detailed plan for how the capital will be used.

• Min. 2-3 trackable metrics on job creation, livelihoods, upskilling, and other relevant areas of impact.

Award supported by well-wishers and friends of 200M who want to remain anonymous.

Craft Revival 2.0

Through the Craft Revival 2.0 track-as part of Kula Innovate-we will support up to five revival-based enterprises from underrepresented craft clusters, primarily across West, East, and South India, with grants ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000.

₹5 - 10 Lakhs

Total Award Value

What each Revivalist gets

Cash Prizes

Selected revivalists stand to win ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 in cash prizes

Networks

Innovators will be paired with mentors who will guide and support them in implementing their ideas.

Visibility

Winners will be featured across 200M platforms and reach wider audiences.

Access to Kula Conclave

Complimentary invites to Kula Conclave

Eligibility Criteria:

• For-profit legal entity in revenue stage or pre-revenue stage with 2-3 trackable metrics (Jobs Created, Income Growth, Gender Inclusion, etc)

• Craft-based businesses with a focus on revival and preservation

• Priority will be given to enterprises reviving endangered craft traditions from underrepresented regions such as Bihar, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu, among others.

About Craft Revival 2.0

India has over 3,000 documented crafts, with 35 officially endangered. During the first year of Kula Innovate, we engaged with pan-India artisan innovators and craft-led enterprises with extraordinary ideas. However, many of these journeys could not be supported; not because they lack innovation, but due to limited resources and visibility.

Craft Revival 2.0, run by 200 Million Artisans, addresses this gap by supporting up to five revival-based enterprises.

If you’d like to support the revival of endangered crafts, you can donate here: Donate to Craft Revival 2.0

Creative Impact Media Accelerator

The Creative Impact Media Accelerator will support media creators, storytellers, and enterprises amplifying the role of craft in shaping sustainable futures.

In partnership with Earthbound and 200 Million Artisans, this track will back those using media to:

Amplify craft-led brands

Shift narratives around
artisan communities

Scale cultural and social impact through creativity

₹1 Crore

Total Fund
Value

Scale cultural and social impact through creativity

Mentorship

Industry experts and creative producers guiding participants through project development

Capacity Building

Hands-on workshops and media production support tailored to craft-rooted storytelling

Visibility

Screening + Showcase opportunities at the Kula Conclave and across 200M platforms

Networks

Direct access to cultural entrepreneurs, investors, and distribution partners

Eligibility Criteria:

• Transmedia creators, storytellers, or enterprises with a focus on craft-rooted media innovation

• Early-stage media enterprises, small brands, and MSMEs working with artisans and handmade economies

• Artisanal communities and grassroots storytellers innovating with media for visibility and markets

• Demonstrated potential for cultural, social, or environmental impact

About the Creative Impact Media Accelerator

An initiative by 200 Million Artisans in partnership with Earthbound, the accelerator calls on media innovators, storytellers, and creative enterprises to reimagine narratives around craft, community, and change.

About the Partners

Earthbound is a dynamic ecosystem of 100 transformative projects using creative media to drive cultural and social change, connecting creators, communities, and philanthropies for real-world impact. Learn more about Earthbound

200 Million Artisans (200M) is a systems change initiative reimagining the potential of ‘Handmade’ by creating the conditions for inclusive, innovation-driven entrepreneurship. We accelerate the growth of next-gen creative, cultural and craft-led enterprises by bridging critical gaps in knowledge, networks, and capital.
Learn more at 200millionartisans.org

Emerging Innovator Jury Award

Some of the most promising ideas in craft and design are still in their earliest stages — unregistered, pre-revenue, or just beginning to take shape. The Emerging Innovator Jury Award recognizes these bold, idea-stage enterprises that show strong potential for impact and innovation. This award opens the door for them to connect with funders, mentors, and markets, ensuring that promising ideas don’t go unheard simply because they are at the start of their journey.

₹1 Crore

Total Fund
Value

What each Emerging Innovator gets

Access to Kula

Free access to Kula 2025 for 6 promising idea-stage enterprises

Discounted tickets

Discounted tickets to Kula 2025 for 6 emerging ideas

Hot Seat

Hot Seat opportunity with jury members for 5–6 enterprises to pitch their ideas

Eligibility Criteria:

• Idea-stage or early-stage enterprises (less than 2 years old preferred)

• Pre-revenue or early-revenue models welcome

• No requirement for formal registration (GST/incorporation not mandatory)

• Strong model with potential for social, cultural, or craft-led impact

• Founders seeking mentorship, visibility, and ecosystem connections

About the Creative Impact Media Accelerator

An initiative by 200 Million Artisans in partnership with Earthbound, the accelerator calls on media innovators, storytellers, and creative enterprises to reimagine narratives around craft, community, and change.

About the Partners

Earthbound is a dynamic ecosystem of 100 transformative projects using creative media to drive cultural and social change, connecting creators, communities, and philanthropies for real-world impact. Learn more about Earthbound

200 Million Artisans (200M) is a systems change initiative reimagining the potential of ‘Handmade’ by creating the conditions for inclusive, innovation-driven entrepreneurship. We accelerate the growth of next-gen creative, cultural and craft-led enterprises by bridging critical gaps in knowledge, networks, and capital.
Learn more at 200millionartisans.org

Check out our exciting prizes for Kula Innovate

Artha Impact Awards

Artha Impact will support three craft-led enterprises driving innovation that can span a broad range of impact areas.

Education & Skilling

Artisan-First Models

Dignified Job Creation

Gender Inclusion

What each enterprise gets

Cash Prizes

Network Support

Eligibility Criteria:

About Artha Impact:

An initiative of Rianta Capital Zurich, Artha Impact accelerates capital flow to sustainable enterprises in India. The Artha Platform is an online community connecting impact investors, social entrepreneurs, and capacity-building intermediaries to support Indian organisations.

Catalyst AIC Awards

₹1 Crore

Catalyst AIC will support up to four promising early-stage enterprises working with traditional Indian crafts.

Tech or design-led solutions that help create meaningful livelihoods are preferred.

Direct work and intervention with last-mile artisan communities will be prioritised.

₹1 Crore

What each enterprise gets

Patient Investment

In-Kind Support

Early-Stage Grants

Networks

Visibility

Access to Kula Conclave

Eligibility Criteria:

•

For-profit legal entity in revenue stage, with verifiable early consumer traction.

•

Direct intervention and product innovation with artisan communities with validated social and economic impact.

•

Operating for minimum of 6 months and maximum of 4 years since incorporation.

•

Registered with DPIIT, Govt. of India and/or recognised registration as a startup with respective state governments.

About Catalyst AIC:

Artisan Innovator Awards

₹5 Lakhs+

Artisan innovator awards will support three to five artisan entrepreneurs driving grassroots community-led innovation in one or more of the following areas:

New Product & Design Directions

Sustainable Materials and Processes

Craft Preservation or Revival

₹5 Lakhs+

What each enterprise gets

Cash Prizes

Networks

Visibility

Access to Kula Conclave

Eligibility Criteria:

•

At least 10-12 months of business operations.

•

MSME registration and Artisan/Pehchan Card .

•

Detailed plan for how the capital will be used.

•

Min. 2-3 trackable metrics on job creation, livelihoods, upskilling, and other relevant areas of impact.

Award supported by well-wishers and friends of 200M who want to remain anonymous.

Craft Revival 2.0

Through the Craft Revival 2.0 track-as part of Kula Innovate-we will support up to five revival-based enterprises from underrepresented craft clusters, primarily across West, East, and South India, with grants ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000.

₹5 - 10 Lakhs

What each Revivalist gets

Cash Prizes

Networks

Visibility

Access to Kula Conclave

Eligibility Criteria:

•

For-profit legal entity in revenue stage or pre-revenue stage with 2-3 trackable metrics (Jobs Created, Income Growth, Gender Inclusion, etc)

•

Craft-based businesses with a focus on revival and preservation

•

Priority will be given to enterprises reviving endangered craft traditions from underrepresented regions such as Bihar, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu, among others.

About Craft Revival 2.0

If you’d like to support the revival of endangered crafts, you can donate here: Donate to Craft Revival 2.0

Creative Impact Media Accelerator

The Creative Impact Media Accelerator will support media creators, storytellers, and enterprises amplifying the role of craft in shaping sustainable futures.

In partnership with Earthbound and 200 Million Artisans, this track will back those using media to:

Amplify craft-led brands

Shift narratives around artisan communities

New Product &
Design Directions

Sustainable Materials
and Processes

Craft Preservation
or Revival

Shift narratives around
artisan communities