ACIC - Jnana Prabodhini Innovation Foundation
Nurturing Grassroots & Community Innovation
We focus on transforming innovative ideas of grassroots innovators, rural entrepreneurs, and community-led enterprises from underserved regions into sustainable businesses.
who we are
Empowering Communities through Innovation
About ACIC-JPIF
Jnana Prabodhini Innovation Foundation is a Section 8 company promoted by Jnana Prabodhini in collaboration with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, Government of India. The Atal Community Innovation Center (ACIC) initiative aims to focus on nurturing grassroots innovators, rural entrepreneurs, and community-led enterprises from underserved regions.
ACIC-JPIF will serve as a catalyst for transforming innovative ideas into sustainable enterprises that create measurable social and economic impact.
About Jnana Prabodhini
Jnana Prabodhini is a reputed social institution with over six decades of experience in rural development, entrepreneurship development, women empowerment, biotechnology, agriculture, and natural resource management across Maharashtra.
Our Vision
- Promote grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship in underserved communities.
- Support startups aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Enable rural innovators to build financially sustainable enterprises.
- Create an inclusive innovation ecosystem connecting communities, institutions, mentors, and markets.
Our Mission
- Identify and nurture innovators from rural and semi-urban areas.
- Build entrepreneurship capabilities among youth, women, SHGs, farmers, FPOs, and community organizations.
- Provide incubation, mentoring, technical, and business support to startups.
- Facilitate market access, partnerships, and funding opportunities.
- Develop scalable solutions in agriculture, biotechnology, renewable energy, sustainability, and health sectors.
Bottom-Up Community Incubation
The incubation model is designed around a bottom-up community entrepreneurship approach, specifically catering to underserved collective groups and local talent pools.
Key Target Groups
- Self Help Groups (SHGs)
- Farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
- Rural Youth
- Students & Researchers
- Entrepreneurs
- Voluntary Organizations
- Ayurvedic Practitioners
Key Interventions
- Design Thinking Workshops
- Ideathons & Hackathons
- Capacity-Building Programs
- Entrepreneurship Mentoring
- Outreach & Exposure Activities
- Market Linkage & Partnership Support
areas of focus
Priority Sectors for Innovation
We prioritize and support sustainable technologies and community-centric business sectors.
Agriculture & Allied
Farming efficiency, post-harvest solutions, and machinery scaling.
Agri-Biotechnology
Plant tissue cultures, soil biology, and organic interventions.
Renewable Energy
Biomass processing, environmental sustainability, and green power.
Health & Ayurveda
Medicinal plant formulation, nutraceuticals, and rural wellbeing.
Rural Livelihoods
Bamboo processing, cottage crafts, and community collectives.
management
Promoters & Board of Directors
Supported by seasoned administrators, industry leaders, and rural development pioneers.
PROMOTERS
Dr. Girish Bapat
Director, Jnana Prabodhini
Dr. Manoj Devalekar
Centre Head, Jnana Prabodhini Nigdi Centre
Mr. Subhash Deshpande
Trustee, Jnana Prabodhini
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. Yashwant Limaye
Founder Director, ACIC-JPIF
Mrs. Sangeeta Kulkarni
Founder Director, ACIC-JPIF
Dr. Omkar Gurjar
Director, ACIC-JPIF
Dr. Yogesh Brahmankar
Director, ACIC-JPIF
Dr. Shantanu Pendse
Director, ACIC-JPIF
Mr. Amit Parale
Director, ACIC-JPIF
Dr. Narendra Deshmukh
Director, ACIC-JPIF
Mr. Pradeep Paranjpe
Director, ACIC-JPIF
get in touch
Contact ACIC-JPIF
Have an innovative idea, leading a Self Help Group, or running a Farmer Producer Organization, or want to partner with us?
Reach us at :
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Jnana Prabodhini Navnagar Vidyalaya (JPNV), Sector 25, Pradhikaran Road, Nigdi, Pimpri-Chinchwad Pradhikaran, Maharashtra 411044. INDIA.
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+91 93250 41714
Send us a Message
engagement portals
Join our Startup & Innovation Ecosystem
Select your engagement path to connect with domain experts,
apply for structured incubation, or utilize our support cells.
Join Mentor Pool
Share your technical, financial, or strategic planning expertise with grassroots rural enterprises and student innovators.
Join Incubation Pool
Apply for physical workspace access, testing labs/makerspaces, mentorship, market linkages, and direct seed funding.
Join Services Pool
Access legal setups, bookkeeping/CS filing assistance, user validation bootcamps, and scientific consulting support.