“Navigating the Government Connect: Unlock Grants, Subsidies, Policy Alignment & Zero-Cost Growth Opportunities”
Budget 2025-26:
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEMAND NO. 87
Department of Rural Development
N-SRLM Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) supports Self Help Group (SHG) and their family members to set-up small enterprises in the non-farm sector. This is done by setting up an eco-system for supporting small enterprises in rural areas.
Great Mukesh ji, now we’re entering the exciting non-farm space — where the rural startup ecosystem really starts to buzz! ⚡ Let’s break this down Hello Kisan-style.
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🟪 Navigating the Government Connect
🔸 Budget 2025–26 | Ministry of Rural Development
Sub-Scheme: Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) under N-SRLM
Core Purpose: Support SHG members & their families in launching micro-enterprises beyond agriculture — by building an enabling rural enterprise ecosystem.
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1️⃣ What SVEP is All About
SVEP is basically the rural version of a startup accelerator, tailored for micro-entrepreneurs. But unlike urban accelerators, it doesn’t focus on just “tech” — it focuses on livelihood-led and necessity-driven entrepreneurship.
Key Components:
• Promotes non-farm micro-enterprises in rural India.
• Targets SHG households and youth (especially women).
• Works via a decentralized support model: Block Resource Centers (BRCs).
• Offers capacity building, seed capital, market linkage and digital tools.
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2️⃣ Ecosystem Snapshot
Component Role
Community Resource Persons–Enterprise Promotion (CRP-EPs) Trained rural youth who handhold entrepreneurs at village/block level
Block Resource Center (BRC) Local hub providing business services – feasibility, planning, training
Bank Linkage Support for loans + credit facilitation
Digital Tools MIS systems, bookkeeping apps, enterprise dashboards
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3️⃣ Opportunity Landscape for Startups 💼
SVEP opens up space for Tech + Training + Trust driven models.
Challenge Startup Solution
Low confidence in business skills 🎓 UdyamSaathi – vernacular micro-learning app with gamified modules on pricing, inventory, break-even
Difficulty maintaining records 📲 GrameenLedger – ultra-simple bookkeeping WhatsApp bot for micro-vyaparis
Limited branding/marketing 🛍️ VillageKart – local product aggregator platform with collective packaging/branding
No e-commerce access 🌐 UdaanSHG – SHG-first Shopify plug-in for district-level marketing
Gender bias in enterprise 👩💼 NariPreneurs – social enterprise mentoring platform for 1st-gen women founders
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4️⃣ Government Support & Funding Hooks
SVEP Feature Your Leverage
Seed capital (₹50K to ₹1L) per entrepreneur Offer micro-equity or co-financing models
Support via BRCs Collaborate to run pilots/trainings
Digital tracking of enterprises Plug into existing MIS for impact metrics
Convergence with DAY-NRLM SHGs Tap into 80+ lakh SHGs across India
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5️⃣ Startup Metrics to Track
• 👩🌾 % of women-led vs. male-led enterprises supported
• 🧮 Enterprise survival rate after 2 years
• 📈 Average monthly revenue increase
• 🧑🏫 Repeat engagement with CRP-EP support
• 📊 Uptake of digital tools vs. manual bookkeeping
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6️⃣ FOMO Triggers 🔔
• 🔔 SVEP has created over 1.1 lakh+ micro-enterprises, but most lack modern tools — low competition, high need.
• 🔔 Most BRCs are hungry for innovation in training, branding, bookkeeping.
• 🔔 Rural e-commerce is still desi jugaad-based — the Shopify-for-Grampreneurs gap is wide open!
• 🔔 Private-sector has largely ignored SVEP — this is your chance to shape a national platform with government buy-in.
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7️⃣ Suggested Action Plan
1. Identify 2–3 sectors (tailoring, snacks, mobile repair, etc.) with high rural demand.
2. Partner with 1–2 State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs).
3. Deploy toolkits, trainings or digital solutions via existing BRCs.
4. Build case studies to showcase revenue boosts and confidence wins.
5. Pitch for CSR or State Convergence Funds to scale.
