Applications open for 3rd Cohort of
Inclusive Business Future Leaders (IBFL)
Program-2026
An fellowship designed to equip young talent with the skills, mindset, and networks to advance inclusion through innovative business solutions
WHY INCLUSIVE BUSINESS MATTERS IN INDIA?
- Tribal and remote farmers remain excluded from agri- food sector innovations.
- 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.
- 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 change.
- Building sustainable and inclusive businesses
- Building impact driven workforce for the Inclusivie Businessess
- Empowering marginalized communities.
- DocumentiDissemenating Knowledge at scale
About IBFL Program
Who is it for?
- Postgraduate students (pursuing/completed) in Management, Agri- Business, Social Development, and allied fields from reputed institutions.
- Budding entrepreneurs wanting to create impact on ground in the agriculture and food system.
Program Duration
2 Months
Summer: 02 week of April 2026
Deadline to apply
15 February, 2026
Scan the QR code for application
Program Highlights
What Makes IBFL Unique?
- Exclusive mentorship from IBEN & Ecociate leadership
- Access to national & international mentors & experts
- Engagement with real-world projects & case studies
- Field visits to FPOs & farmers for practical exposure
- Skill-building in impact measurement, stakeholder engagement & social entrepreneurship
- Opportunities to participate in IBEN & Ecociate events
- This program can also be joined as part of summer and winter internship
- IBFL Certificate
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, and investors to empower smallholder farmers, promote gender inclusion, and drive sustainability.
Learn more: https://iben.in/
Selected candidates will receive Rs. 20000 as stipend (Limited spots)
Highlights from First & Second cohort of IBFL Program
First Cohort
11 students from 7 states &
11 cities in India
Second Cohort
5 students from 4 states &
5 cities in India
Knowledge toolkit for Ecosystem Actors
IMPACTFUL SESSIONS WITH MENTORS AND EXPERTS
The IBFL team had the opportunity to engage with national and international experts on inclusive business, Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) markets, leading inclusive ecnterprises, impactful investors, and seniors leaders from the bilateral and multilateral organizations. these sessions were rich in insights, real -world experiences, and practical lessons that challenged the team to think beyond conventional approaches.
IBFL Certificate
To launch the knowledge document and facilitate learning among IBFL Fellows from the 1st and 2nd cohorts, key stakeholders and experts from leading organisations including GIZ, PRADAN, IIT Kanpur, ThinkAg, Scanext, SBI Foundation, and HCL Foundation, among others joined the programme.
Highlights from First & Second cohort of IBFL Program
IMPACTFUL SESSIONS WITH MENTORS AND EXPERTS
The IBFL team had the opportunity to engage with national and international experts on inclusive business, Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) markets, leading inclusive ecnterprises, impactful investors, and seniors leaders from the bilateral and multilateral organizations. these sessions were rich in insights, real -world experiences, and practical lessons that challenged the team to think beyond conventional approaches.
First Cohort
11 students from 7 states &
11 cities in India
11 cities in India
Second Cohort
5 students from 4 states
& 5 cities in India
& 5 cities in India
Knowledge toolkit for
Ecosystem Actors
