Growing local businesses.
Creating local livelihoods.
Uttarakhand has immense potential in agro-processing, ecotourism, handloom, and digital services. However, rural entrepreneurs often lack seed capital, mentorship, digital tools, and market linkages required to scale.
“Employment is not created only by offering jobs—it is created by empowering individuals to become entrepreneurs who build businesses, create opportunities, and inspire others.”
Rather than offering one-time financial assistance, ISSA has built an integrated support ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurs throughout their business journey—from idea validation to growth and expansion.
20+
Entrepreneurs actively supported
6+
Districts covered across Garhwal and Kumaon
100+
Local direct and indirect jobs created
Why This Initiative?
Bridging the gap between passion and business success.
Many talented individuals across Uttarakhand possess the passion and capability to build successful businesses but often lack access to mentoring, technical guidance, market opportunities, financial resources, and professional networks.
Building Sustainable Enterprises in Himalayan Communities
The ISSA Entrepreneurship Development Programme (IEDP) identifies ambitious rural and youth entrepreneurs, providing end-to-end incubation, business mentorship, digital marketing, and financial linkages.
Vision
A vibrant, self-reliant rural economy where local youth build sustainable enterprises that create jobs in their own hometowns.
Mission
Nurture and scale 100+ rural micro-enterprises across Uttarakhand through training, mentorship, and direct market access.
Core Belief: By strengthening entrepreneurs, we strengthen families, mountain villages, and the entire regional economy of Uttarakhand.
Where We Work
6 Districts Covered in Current Cohort
Supporting rural, semi-urban, and high-altitude mountain enterprises across diverse topographies.
Pauri Garhwal
Garhwal Hills
E-learning, agriculture & rural homestays
Tehri Garhwal
Garhwal Hills
Organic horticulture & handloom crafts
Rudraprayag
High Altitude
Herbal processing & eco-tourism
Uttarkashi
High Altitude
Traditional foods & apple value addition
Dehradun
Valley & Tech Hub
Digital enterprise & service innovation
Haridwar
Plains & Manufacturing
Food processing & micro-manufacturing
Portfolio Diversity
From idea to sustainable mountain enterprise
We provide practical, hands-on enterprise support tailored specifically to mountain economies and rural supply chains.
Incubation & Seed Support
Providing early-stage validation, financial literacy, and initial grant/seed linkages for viable mountain business concepts.
Digital Transformation for Rural Artisans
Helping local craftspeople, farmers, and entrepreneurs sell products nationwide through digital commerce and branding.
Mentorship & Market Access
Pairing entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders and linking products directly to urban and institutional markets.
Enterprise Core Capabilities
Our Entrepreneur Journey
Every entrepreneur follows a structured growth journey designed to maximize business success from initial idea validation to long-term scaling.
Establish enterprise incubation centers in Dehradun and Pauri
Launch a dedicated regional artisanal and organic marketplace
Facilitate INR 1 Crore in micro-enterprise credit linkages for women entrepreneurs
Integrated Ecosystem
How We Support Entrepreneurs
Practical support across four areas that help businesses grow.
Business Development
- Business Planning & Strategy
- Growth Strategy & Scaling Roadmaps
- Financial Planning & Cash Flow Modeling
- Business Model Refinement
- Compliance & Legal Guidance
Technology & Digital Enablement
- Branding & Visual Identity
- Custom Website & E-commerce Development
- Digital Marketing & Customer Acquisition
- Social Media Strategy & Content Creation
- Business Automation & Tech Adoption
Customer and Buyer Connections
- Customer Networks & Buyer Introductions
- B2B & Retail Business Partnerships
- Industry Connections & Mentorship Access
- Trade Fairs & Market Exposure
- Promotional Platforms & Exhibition Support
Funding and Financial Guidance
- Responsible Financial Assistance
- Patient Capital & Soft Loan Structure
- Performance-Based Growth Guidance
- Financial Advisory & Capital Readiness
- Continuous Monitoring & Accountability
Creating Real Change
The Impact We Are Creating
Our objective is not only to support businesses—but to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem that creates employment and transforms communities across Uttarakhand.
Beyond Funding
Building Future Business Leaders
Financial assistance alone cannot create successful enterprises. Every entrepreneur in the ISSA Entrepreneurship Development Program receives ongoing mentorship, strategic guidance, technology support, business reviews, and continuous engagement to help overcome challenges and unlock new growth opportunities.
Self-Reliant Himalayan Communities
We envision an entrepreneurial ecosystem where every aspiring entrepreneur in Uttarakhand has access to the knowledge, mentorship, technology, and opportunities needed to build a successful enterprise.
Through collaborative partnerships, innovation, and continuous support, ISSA Foundation is committed to developing enterprises that create employment and long-term regional prosperity.
Join the Movement
Building a stronger, more self-reliant Uttarakhand.
At ISSA Foundation, we are proud to partner with entrepreneurs who share the vision of building a stronger Uttarakhand—one enterprise at a time.
Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Apply to join the IEDP cohort for structured incubation and mentorship.
Learn MoreIndustry Mentors
Guide emerging entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, and scaling operations.
Learn MoreImpact Investors & CSR
Fund revolving micro-grant pools to catalyze high-impact mountain enterprises.
Learn MoreTo apply, partner, mentor, or support EDP, reach out directly to career.issafoundation@gmail.com with your background and expression of interest.