Upaya proudly congratulates Ajaya Mohapatra and the JustRojgar team for being named First Runner-up in the non-student category of the Power to Empower business plan competition. A partnership between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and India@75, Power to Empower “[encourages] innovative and implementable business solutions that contribute to the development of a sustainable vocational skills ecosystem in India.” This year’s competition received 234 nominations and over 100 applications.

“We are extremely excited to see JustRojgar recognized by the NSDC for its potential to transform the lives of the urban poor,” said Sriram Gutta, Upaya’s Director of Business Development. “By training slum-dwellers on needed skills and ensuring they get social benefits, JustRojgar is creating job opportunities in a market with enormous potential,” Gutta said.

As First Runner-up, JustRojgar will receive a free delegate pass to the Sankalp Unconvention Summit 2013 courtesy of the Villgro Innovations Foundation,  the opportunity to participate in the Deakin University’s (Australia) Sponsored Entrepreneurship program, a Complimentary TiE Annual Associate Membership, and a bundle of classes and mentorning courtesy of the Sunstone Business School.