YEFI Launched: India Positions New Entrepreneurship Movement as the First-Ever “Social Unicorn”: In a landmark step toward strengthening India’s grassroots entrepreneurial ecosystem, the YouthAid Entrepreneurs Federation of India (YEFI) was officially launched in Pune on November 22. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between micro-entrepreneurs and key stakeholders such as government agencies, banks, CSR partners, digital platforms, and investors.
Speaking at the launch, Mathew Mattam, Chairman of YEFI, said the federation will standardize quality, enhance branding, and promote ethical practices across grassroots businesses. Moreover, he emphasized that YEFI will help micro-enterprises scale sustainably and empower the next generation of rural and small–town entrepreneurs. “In today’s changing India, such a federation is not optional, it is necessary for last-mile inclusion, dignity, and economic justice,” he noted.
Launch Aligns with Global Entrepreneurship Week
Significantly, YEFI’s launch coincided with Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2025, celebrated across over 200 countries from November 17–23 under the theme “Together We Build.” The timing underscores India’s commitment to the global entrepreneurial movement and highlights the federation’s potential to influence international dialogue.
Joining the event virtually, Matt Smith, GEN UK Vice President and a leading voice in global entrepreneurship policy, stressed the importance of ecosystem-building. “Ecosystem building is the vital infrastructure that sustains an economy. To unlock the full potential of GEW 2025, we must deepen our reach into the grassroots—the often-overlooked micro-entrepreneurs who power local economies,” he said. He congratulated the YouthAid Foundation for launching YEFI to drive this grassroots momentum.
A Vision for Nationwide Impact
Adding to this, Priya Kothari, International Director of YouthAid Foundation (YAF) and Executive Director of WUST Foundation, Virginia, outlined YEFI’s broader vision. She said the federation aims to reach every Indian state, offering mentorship, digital literacy, financial training, and global exposure. “By unlocking the potential of micro-entrepreneurs, we transform local livelihoods and strengthen India’s contribution to the global economy,” she explained.
YouthAid Entrepreneurs Federation of India (YEFI) is poised to become the world’s first “Social Unicorn”
During his inaugural speech, Prof. Ujjwal Anu Chowdhury highlighted the crucial role that individuals and entrepreneurs play in creating strong and resilient economic growth. He emphasized that grassroots innovators are not just participants in the economy but architects of national progress, shaping prosperity at every level.
Prof. Chowdhury also coined a new term, announcing that the YouthAid Entrepreneurs Federation of India (YEFI) is poised to become the world’s first “Social Unicorn” — a unique model of collective growth, community empowerment, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
He walked the audience through YEFI’s inspiring journey — from its early ideation and outreach efforts to its consolidation of grassroots enterprises and its historic launch during Global Entrepreneurship Week. He explained how disciplined membership standards and ambitious growth targets will help YEFI create a global benchmark for community-driven economic development.
Elaborating on the concept, Prof. Ujjwal Anu Chowdhury said the absence of a dedicated chamber for micro-entrepreneurs inspired the formation of YEFI. He shared the federation’s growth roadmap:
- 2025: 6 members, ₹22 crore turnover, 105 employees (73% women).
- February 2026 (Hyderabad YES Summit): 500 members, ₹50 crore turnover.
- 2027 (Delhi YES Summit): 1,000+ members, ₹100 crore+ turnover.
- By 2030 (5th Anniversary): 10,000 members, ₹1,000 crore turnover, over 100,000 jobs, and a valuation of ₹10,000 crore — India’s first grassroots-led Social Unicorn.
He added that this rapid growth will enable YEFI to build an internal support ecosystem, launch an e-commerce platform, create an export-import division, send delegations across Global South nations, and negotiate effectively with governments, banks, and universities
Concluding his address, Prof. Chowdhury introduced Dr. Tausif Malik, acknowledging his longstanding contributions to entrepreneurship development across India, the Middle East, and the United States.
RiseBack.org Collaboration and Media Support
During the event, Dr. Tausif Malik, US-based media and entrepreneurship evangelist, extended a significant collaboration opportunity to YEFI through RiseBack.org’s flagship initiative, “Start Here, Go Anywhere.” He explained that this model was successfully launched with the Rotary Club of Arlington Highlands, Texas, USA, where Rotary funds the education and students repay the Rotary Club after they secure jobs.
Dr. Malik noted that this sustainable education-financing model can be replicated within YEFI to empower grassroots entrepreneurs through affordable skilling, job-linked programs, and long-term community impact. His proposal received strong appreciation from attendees and aligned seamlessly with YEFI’s mission of inclusive growth.
Furthermore, he also offered Startup Berita and GCC Startup News as official media partners to promote YEFI’s noble mission globally. He noted that international media amplification would significantly enhance visibility for grassroots innovators and elevate the federation’s impact across the Global South. His proposal received strong appreciation from attendees and aligned seamlessly with YEFI’s mission of inclusive economic transformation.
Strict Membership and Strong Beginnings
YEFI has established strict eligibility criteria. Only grassroots entrepreneurs with a minimum of two years in business, audited accounts, filed ITRs, and a turnover of at least ₹5 lakhs can apply. During the launch, six enterprises received the inaugural membership, collectively reporting ₹22 crore in audited turnover and employing 105 people, 73% of whom are women. The initial members are:
- Sarthak Enterprises
- AgroZee Organics Pvt Ltd
- YouthAid Global Services Pvt Ltd
- VK Control Systems Pvt Ltd
- Shital Enterprises
- Agrotech Farmer Producer Company
Ambitious Growth Targets Toward Social Unicorn Status
The YEFI Board includes Chairman Mathew Mattam, four entrepreneur members, noted social activist Jyotsna Bahirat, and academic Prof. Ujjwal Anu Chowdhury. Board Director Vicky Kalbande expressed pride in being part of the founding team and announced the goal of creating India’s first “Social Unicorn” by 2030. Meanwhile, entrepreneur Bapu Narute pledged support for hosting YEFI’s first anniversary in Dubai in 2026.
On the occasion, democracynow.in released a special edition on YEFI’s significance. Publisher Rajesh Warlekar highlighted the vast potential of unifying grassroots business owners.
A Transformative Step for Grassroots Entrepreneurs
Ultimately, YEFI aims to address the long-standing invisibility of grassroots entrepreneurs, especially women in villages, small towns, and urban settlements. By democratizing entrepreneurship, YEFI seeks to ensure that a young woman in a basti, a farmer’s son, or a first-generation diploma holder can build and own a business with dignity and support.
The launch marks a historic moment during GEW 2025 and places grassroots entrepreneurship at the center of India’s growth story.
