Organization: School of Livelihood and Rural Development (SLRD)
Location: Guwahati / Bhopal
Position Type: Full-Time
About the Organization
The School of Livelihood and Rural Development (SLRD), under the Gyanav Social Welfare Society, is a not-for-profit institution working across India and beyond to create sustainable livelihoods and climate-resilient communities. With strong linkages to government, corporate, academic, and international partners, SLRD supports Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), startups, and social enterprises in scaling their impact. Our initiatives span sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, climate adaptation, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and market connect programs.
To further strengthen our startup and innovation ecosystem, SLRD is seeking a Startup Mentor who will play a key role in guiding early-stage ventures, enabling funding access, and supporting project development.
Role Overview
The Startup Mentor will provide strategic guidance to startups, innovators, and social enterprises associated with SLRD. The role will focus on funding facilitation, project structuring, and capacity building, ensuring that startups are well-prepared to leverage opportunities from venture capital, banks, government schemes, CSR, and international donors.
Key Responsibilities
- Mentorship & Guidance
- Mentor startups in identifying sustainable business models and scaling strategies.
- Advise on market positioning, product development, and investment readiness.
- Connect startups with relevant incubators, accelerators, and ecosystem enablers.
- Funding & Financial Linkages
- Facilitate access to venture capital, angel investors, international grants, and CSR support.
- Support startups in applying for government subsidies, schemes, and bank loans.
- Guide preparation of investor pitches, financial models, and due diligence documents.
- Project Development & DPR Support
- Assist in preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), feasibility studies, and proposals tailored to investors, banks, and funding agencies.
- Ensure alignment with regulatory, compliance, and institutional requirements.
- Provide technical and strategic inputs to make projects bankable and investment-ready.
- Capacity Building & Ecosystem Development
- Conduct training programs, workshops, and knowledge sessions for startup founders.
- Share best practices on governance, sustainability, and scaling social impact.
- Strengthen partnerships between startups, corporates, government, and academia.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong knowledge of the startup ecosystem (India and global).
- Expertise in fundraising, financial structuring, and investor engagement.
- Proven ability to prepare bankable DPRs, feasibility studies, and project reports.
- Understanding of government schemes, subsidies, and funding opportunities.
- Strong networking and relationship-building skills with VCs, banks, CSR, and donors.
- Excellent mentoring, communication, and presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Postgraduate degree in Business Administration, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Development Studies, or related fields.
- 5+ years of experience in startup mentoring, incubation, consulting, or fundraising.
- Prior engagement with accelerators, VC firms, development finance institutions, or government programs.
- Exposure to rural, livelihood, or social enterprise ecosystems will be a plus.
Performance Indicators
- Number of startups mentored and funding mobilized.
- Successful DPRs and project proposals developed.
- Partnerships and funding linkages facilitated.
- Positive feedback from startups and ecosystem partners.
How to Apply
Interested candidates may send their CV, cover letter mentioning your present and expected salary to hr@yesearth.org with the subject line: Application – Startup Mentor.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.