Inclusive Business Future Leaders (IBFL) Program
The Inclusive Business Future Leaders (IBFL) Program is a flagship fellowship designed to nurture the next generation of leaders committed to building inclusive, sustainable, and impact-driven business solutions.
Led by the Inclusive Business Ecosystem Network (IBEN), the program brings together young professionals, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs to engage with real-world challenges in the agriculture and food systems sector. Through a unique blend of mentorship, field exposure, and hands-on project work, IBFL equips participants with the skills, mindset, and networks required to drive meaningful change.
Over the past cohorts, IBFL has created a growing community of future leaders who are actively contributing to inclusive business practices across India.
Cohort 3 Update:
Applications for the 3rd cohort are now closed. We are currently engaging with selected participants and will be announcing future opportunities soon.
👉 Stay connected with us to be the first to know about upcoming cohorts.
Why Inclusive Business Matters in India
- 84% of the world’s 570 million farms are smallholdings, supporting over 2 billion people.
- Less than 20% of landholders are women, despite producing up to 80% of food in developing nations.
- Tribal and remote farmers remain excluded from agri- food sector innovations.
- Leading organizations like BMGF, Mastercard, UNESCAP, GIZ, and the World Bank are already championing this movement.
IBFL Fellowship – Our Vision
- Driving social, economic, and environmental impact
- Building sustainable and inclusive businesses
- Creating an impact-driven workforce
- Empowering marginalized communities
- Disseminating knowledge at scale
ABOUT IBFL PROGRAM
Who is it for?
- Postgraduate students (Management, Agri-Business, Social Development, etc.)
- Young professionals & aspiring entrepreneurs
- Individuals passionate about impact-driven work in agriculture & food systems
🌟 Program Highlights:
- Mentorship from IBEN & Ecociate leadership
- Access to national & international experts
- Real-world projects & case studies
- Field visits to FPOs & farmers
- Skill-building in impact measurement & social entrepreneurship
- Participation in IBEN ecosystem events
- Internship opportunity (summer/winter)
- IBFL Certification
PROGRAM DETAILS
Duration:
2 Months
Start Date:
April 2026
(Summer Cohort)
Application Deadline:
15 February 2026
Stipend:
₹20,000 (Limited Seats)
About IBEN
The Inclusive Business Ecosystem Network (IBEN) is a collaborative platform supporting inclusive, impact-driven businesses in agriculture and food sectors.
It connects:
- Private companies
- Social organizations
- Government bodies
- Investors
Goal:
Empower smallholder farmers, promote gender inclusion, and drive sustainability.
First Cohort:
11 students from 7 states & 11 cities
Second Cohort:
5 students from 4 states & 5 cities
Learn from Industry Experts
IBFL fellows engage with national and international experts across:
- Inclusive business
- BoP markets
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Impact investment
Certification & Knowledge Access
- Receive IBFL Certificate
- Access exclusive knowledge toolkits
- Learn from top organizations like GIZ, PRADAN, IIT Kanpur, SBI Foundation, HCL Foundation
These sessions provide:
- Real-world insights
- Practical exposure
- Strategic thinking
