Educating entrepreneurs on financial and business literacy through mobile and IVR tools
Mission Swavalamban – Financial & Business Literacy Initiative
In partnership with SIDBI, CDFI supported ‘Mission Swavalamban’ to provide financial and business literacy to entrepreneurs across India, especially youth and women. The project aimed to demystify key business concepts through a simple mobile app and IVR system. The Entrepreneurship Support System developed by CDFI helped entrepreneurs understand how to set up and run sustainable, profitable businesses.
1,00,000
entrepreneurs contacted
55,782
people engaged through outbound call campaigns
Region
Across India
Start Date
November 2019
Status
Completed
Lead Partner
SIDBI
Benefeciaries
MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, youth-led businesses
Through mobile and IVR channels, 1,00,000+ entrepreneurs were educated on starting, financing, and managing small businesses.
SIDBI
CDFI designed a mobile and IVR-based Entrepreneurship Support System to support SIDBI’s Mission Swavalamban. The system delivered structured business and financial literacy to entrepreneurs using simple technology, enabling widespread outreach even in low-resource settings. Topics included setting up a business, arranging finance, maintaining records, and being environmentally responsible.
Success of our implementation with SIDBI
1,00,000+ Entrepreneurs Reached
A large-scale engagement campaign contacted entrepreneurs via calls, SMS, and digital platforms across India.
Accessible, Inclusive Tools
10,694 users accessed the IVRS facility, and 1,025 entrepreneurs registered through the mobile app.
Strong Campaign Engagement
Outbound calls reached 55,782 individuals, while SMS campaigns connected with over 85,000 users.
Built for scale. Handed over for sustainability.
Multi-Channel Engagement
Used a mix of outbound calls, IVR, SMS, and app-based content to reach entrepreneurs where they are.
Phase 1 Completed
Platform successfully handed over to SIDBI; discussions underway for Phase 2 expansion.
Women & Youth Focused
The system prioritised accessibility for women and young entrepreneurs, reducing digital and knowledge barriers.
Features of the Implementation
Mobile-based literacy app
IVRS system for audio-based content
Multilingual support
SMS and outbound call campaigns
Entrepreneurial topics: Business setup, finance, accounting, sustainability
End-to-end campaign design and tech support
Benefits of the Implementation
Widens access to essential business knowledge
Cost-effective delivery of learning at scale
Encourages self-reliance and entrepreneurship
Designed to work with basic devices and low data availability
Supports future program expansion via SIDBI
How the solution bought an impact of scale
Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Pregnant and lactating mothers benefitted
15
MN+
Awards and Recognitions
Research
Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.
Research
Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.
Research
Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.
Research
Meghalaya government won the Skoch Award. The award was won in theGold category to Improve Social Parameters’ in the state’s South West Garo Hills region.
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