Rural-tech startups form coalition to help rural families

Its mission is to raise $8 million (about Rs 58 crore) to support 10 lakh rural families across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka via their network of 30,000 plus rural entrepreneurs.

Hyderabad: Rural tech startups Frontier Markets, Hesa and 1Bridge formed the industry platform Rural Access Coalition (RAC) for Covid-19 resilience. RAC brings together social enterprises with rural supply chains, digital market infrastructure, and an extensive last mile network of entrepreneurs.

Its mission is to raise $8 million (about Rs 58 crore) to support 10 lakh rural families across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka via their network of 30,000 plus rural entrepreneurs. The Coalition is opening its platform to donors, ecosystem enablers, experts and practitioners to help deliver to the rural population at scale

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The effort is to support rural families to become Covid resilient, while contributing to job creation and economic resilience in rural India.

RAC has partnered with Armman and Noora Health for Covid-19 and maternal-related information, training and services. Online retailer 1MG will provide PPE kits and supplies rural households. Other players like Sattva Consulting, United Way Delhi, Head Held High Foundation and BASIX-BABLE will als support capacity building.

1Bridge has been operating across 6000 plus villages in Southern India. Among others, it has plans to increase its advisors to about 5,000 from the current 500 in 12 months. Hesa also has plans to add 8,000 to 10,000 Hesathis or agents in Telangana. Frontier Markets, which is a women-led social enterprise, has been working with rural communities for 10 years. It has 10,000 Sahelis (Saral Jeevan Sahelis) in North India.

Madan Padaki, Founder and CEO, 1Bridge said, “Access, choice and convenience have always been a challenge for rural consumers across products and services. Bridge has been addressing these challenges through its village commerce network of entrepreneurs.”

“We strive to largely empower rural India by enabling accessibility, availability, connectivity and providing business and earning opportunities, all rolled under one platform,” said Vamsi Udayagiri, Co-Founder and CEO Hesa.

“Rural customers and families suffer the most as they are deprived of resources. Frontier Markets’ 10,000 plus Saheli network will amplify the gender-based health needs of the community alongside accessibility, economic development and opportunities,” said Ajaita Shah Founder and CEO Frontier Markets.

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