Impact Startup Academy (isa)

How to Build Startups with Purpose and profit

your guide to building startups that tackle an important societal problem AND are self-sustainable

Cohort 4 launches February 24, 2025

join c4, 2025

trusted by 550+ founders

what will you get in

impact startup academy

Impact Startup Academy, a cohort based course (cbc), is a collaboration between gaurav singh and build3.

key benefits

→ Purpose and Profit: Learn to balance social and environmental impact with financial success.
→ Expert Mentorship: Gain insights from seasoned entrepreneurs who have successfully built impactful businesses.
→ Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers all essential aspects, from market research to crafting a unique value proposition and scaling your impact startup.

why you?

You are driven to make a difference and have the potential to act as a catalyst for change.
You recognize that business success is not just about profit—it’s about creating a lasting positive impact on society and the environment.
You have the vision to address global challenges and the determination to build a sustainable, impactful venture.
Our program is designed for individuals like you:
- Ready to tackle the world’s most pressing issues.
- Eager to turn challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.
You have the passion, and we provide the tools to help you succeed.

why now?

→ The world needs more entrepreneurs addressing pressing global challenges with financial sustainability.
→ Now is the perfect time to join the movement of impact entrepreneurship and be part of meaningful change.
With rapid advancements in technology and access to resources, there has never been a better opportunity to turn innovative ideas into impactful ventures.

why us?

Unparalleled Support: Access experienced mentors, a comprehensive curriculum, and a community of like-minded individuals to help your startup thrive.
Unique Approach:
- Traditional accelerators focus solely on financial success.
- Non-profit programs emphasize impact without sustainability.
- We integrate the dual objectives of profit and impact, offering the best of both worlds.

explore our programs

"Accelerator" or "Build Together" Tracks:
Ideal for founders who have recently launched a startup or have been building one for some time.

"Essentials" Track:
Perfect for those considering starting a startup or who have just taken the first steps.

accelerator

1. 🏖️ Bootcamp week in goa
2. 🎦 Live sessions in 3 tracks - Upskill, Collaborate, Energize
3. 👥 Build with peers
4. 🚀 Tangible outputs - MVP, Pitch Deck, Business Plan (BMC & 6-pager)
5. 📝 Group as well as 1-on-1 feedback
6. 🤝 Grow your startup community
7. 📈 Best  Possible outcomes* - find the right idea, find a cofounder/team, raise funding
8. ⁠🔓Unlock 25 Lakhs + in seed funding for your startup.

click for detailed info. & curriculum

Building a Full-Fledged Company with the Power of Community- The Accelerator Track is designed to transform early-stage impact startups into scalable, sustainable businesses. By leveraging community and mentorship, this program provides startups with resources and guidance to build full-fledged companies.

₹49990

₹29990

+ gst

join C4, 2025

No refund for program fee

build together

1. 🎦 Live sessions
2. 💡 hands-on creations
3. 👥 peer support
4. 📝 expert feedback

click for detailed info. & curriculum

Creating Together for Greater Impact- The Build Together Track is a cohort-based program fostering collaboration & active learning. Participants engage in live sessions, work on practical projects, and receive regular feedback in a structured environment.

By blending individual effort with group interactions, the isa build together program builds a strong community of impact-driven entrepreneurs who support one another.

The isa build together program aims to create lasting connections while equipping participants with the tools to build innovative, and purpose-driven startups.

₹14990

₹4990

+ gst

join c4, 2025

14-day refund policy

essentials

1. 📚 World class course content available on-demand
2. 🌐 Online community of like minded founders

click for detailed info. & curriculum

building a foundation with flexibility- The Essentials Track offers a flexible, self-paced learning experience tailored for aspiring impact entrepreneurs.

This course provides foundational knowledge and tools to build strong startup frameworks. Participants explore core concepts and additional resources while enjoying the flexibility to learn at their own pace.

Designed for independent learners, the isa essentials program ensures that the participants gain valuable skills to create impactful, sustainable businesses without compromising their unique schedules or goals.

₹4990

₹1490

+ gst

join C4, 2025

14-day refund policy

testimonials

what our participants have to say

aman gupta
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" this course gave me invaluable insights into building a startup with a solid structure and framework. It’s a guide I’ll revisit as my idea evolves or when starting fresh. Highly recommended for anyone creating a vision, feeling stuck, or needing clarity to move forward.

Founder & CEO at Ayniverse Inc
madhur patel
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" whether you’re a fresh graduate or an experienced professional, this course is like a mini-MBA for building an Impact Startup. Gaurav’s passion and expertise guide you in just six weeks. I highly recommend it for anyone with entrepreneurial zeal!

Chief Business Officer at Patel's Delights
poornima
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" If you’re starting out, with or without an idea, or if you’ve begun your journey, this course helps you rethink, unlearn, and gain tools to move forward. It’s a must for anyone looking to strengthen their entrepreneurial path.

Program Manager (Women Economic Empowerment) at Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship
jiya ambast
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" I hesitated before joining but am so grateful I did. Whether you’re building an Impact Startup or any venture, this course helps validate your idea or create one. It provides a solid framework to shape your startup and take it to the next level.

Founder & CEO at Ayniverse Inc

47

Startups incubated

15

Startups invested

₹ 3.8 cr+

Net investment

79

NPS for the Academy

250+

alumni

Designed for those wanting to make the world a kinder, more joyful place

take your first step today

Upon successfully completing the "Build Together or accelerator track", you will receive a digital certificate from Build3. Additionally, you can obtain a UGC-recognized digital certificate through our partner, the Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology (a constituent of MAHE, Manipal).

join c4, 2025
vivek
thaher

inspired 550+ founders — your turn next

*certificate image for illustrative purpose only.

Why did we create Impact Startup Academy?

many of us today are unhappy with the world we see around.
we want to make a difference and dream of starting something of our own to do so.

but how?

how can I build something that makes the world a better place 'And' have financial stability while doing so?

we realized there are so many unknowns while figuring out this "and"

→ how to start?
→ how do i come up with a startup idea?
→ how do i find others like me chasing this "AND"?
→ what opportunities are out there for me to explore?
→ are there existing companies I can join, people I can work with?
→ who has done this before and has the lived experience to guide me?

to ease your journey of finding these answers, we built impact startup academy.

Who are the people behind Impact Startup Academy

gaurav singh

Founder, 321 Education, Ashoka Fellow.

In 2009, Gaurav quit his job as a software engineer to join Teach For India’s first batch (interestingly, as the first fellow ever). Then at age 25, he founded 321 Education to set up exemplars of quality education for some of India’s poorest children. He first set up 321’s own school in Mumbai’s Crawford Market slum & then scaled the 321 model to ~2000 schools, ~300,000 learners. A 2019 independent evaluation found that in just 1 year, 321 Education was improving student learning by 4 times compared to the control group. Under him the team grew to ~100 employees and raised ₹30+ crores for it. For his work with 321 Education, Gaurav was awarded the Ashoka & Echoing Green fellowships, which are the oldest and most prestigious Social Entrepreneurship fellowships in the world.

In 2021, after a decade of leading 321 Education, Gaurav stepped down as CEO and is now the board chair. He now helps driven founders become world-class CEOs — so their startup ‘gets better, as it gets bigger’ & they don’t burnout. He does this through his consulting, writing & speaking. He also runs the popular New Manager Academy, which in just 2 years has been taken by 700+ leaders & founders from 100+ organisations in 7 countries. (as of July 2024)

varun chawla

Founder, build3, 91 Springboard.

Varun is the co-founder of 91springboard, one of the biggest coworking communities in India. He conceptualized 91springboard in 2013, a time when the term ‘coworking’ was alien to India. One of his startups, My Guest House — a budget accommodation aggregator, was acquired by MakeMyTrip. Currently, he is building build3 - an organisation that not only celebrates profits but also purpose. a space where like-minded people come together to share their existence around minimalism, sustainability, wellness, and self-reliance.

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What others are saying about us ❤

akshita sharma
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“If you have an idea or a problem you want to work on but don't know how or where to start, ISA is for you. The course will help you build your startup as you go through the sessions, you will find a community of like-minded people and excellent resources for your startup journey.”

Senior Associate at IDinsight
seema grewal
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“The way this course is designed is amazing. I learned so much about myself while doing the My Assets (never thought so deeply about that). and my whole idea for the start-up is now more solid - Working on the canvas brought freshness to the idea and deeper perspectives.”

Independent Researcher on Motherhood
vivek tyagi
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“I’d highly recommend this course to anyone passionate about making a positive impact through innovation. The most valuable aspects for me were the actionable strategies and real-world case studies that helped me understand the nuances of creating change-driven startups. This course is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage founders, or anyone curious about building sustainable businesses that tackle social issues. If you're looking to bridge the gap between purpose and profitability, this course will guide you through every essential step.”

Chief Revenue Officer at Logikality
siddhi agarwal
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“This course is a journey that will take you through all the checkpoints you need for your startup, from idea, to purpose, to execution and the customer. It will help you see all the blindspots that you have otherwise ignored or could not see. It will bring clarity to your ideas about your startup and give you a headstart.

This course is definitely helpful for new entrepreneurs but also for experienced entrepreneurs who continuously have a feeling that something is not working and you are not able to identify it.”

Founder at Asian In Me
Varsha Nambiar
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"ISA is a great start for anybody wanting to be or know how’s of an an impact startup. All of it starts from within, and that is the most interesting part of this course. The course was structured and conducted with seamlessness, which made note-taking super easy :) So glad to see that there are young minds willing to merge purpose and profit in multiple ways. Kudos to the team for putting up a great show. It was worth being part of it."

MDes at NIDS
Geethu Merin Antony
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"impact startup academy is well structured with activities that effectively frame our impact startup journey.

Though I tend to be a passive learners, I loved connecting with new people and hearing about their ideas,it was truly inspiring.

For me the most challenging part was the timing."

Assistant Professor at bharathiar university
Rupinder Kaur
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"The Impact Startup Academy program has been invaluable as I build The Mango House, my social impact initiative. The comprehensive curriculum and personalised guidance have given me a much deeper understanding of all the key aspects that must be addressed when starting an impactful business.
The structured approach to developing a theory of change, identifying key metrics, and mapping out competitive advantages has been especially insightful. I now have a clear roadmap for strengthening the core pillars of the organisation - from serving marginalised communities to building a strong brand and sustainable business model.
The program's focus on practical experimentation, prototyping, and MVP development has also been tremendously helpful. I feel much more prepared to validate my ideas, iterate quickly, and build a solid foundation for long-term success.
Overall, the Impact Startup Academy is a must-have program for anyone looking to turn their impact idea into a thriving reality. The content is incredibly relevant and actionable, and the mentorship from experienced social entrepreneurs has been invaluable. I would highly recommend this program to any aspiring impact founder."

Founder & Managing Trustee at The Mango House Trust
Shantnu Shahi
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"If you're considering Impact Startup Academy, you're in for a transformative experience that combines practical insights with an inspiring vision for making a positive impact through business.

One of the standout features of this course is its balance between theory and hands-on application. The program dives deeply into key areas like social entrepreneurship, sustainable business models, and impactful marketing, making it perfect for anyone serious about building a startup that creates lasting change.

For aspiring social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, or even those working within established organizations who want to bring more purpose to their work, this academy offers tools, networks, and a supportive environment to bring innovative ideas to life.

I found the mentorship opportunities invaluable, as they offered personalized guidance and constructive feedback. It’s more than just a course—it’s a community of like-minded individuals committed to using business as a force for good.
"

Senior Consultant at KeeParking
rajeev
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"If you're considering the Impact Startup Academy, I can't recommend it enough. This course has truly reshaped the way I think about startup ideas by providing a solid, actionable framework that takes you from concept to implementation. It’s not just theory—the program is packed with hands-on learning that applies directly to real-world challenges, making each lesson feel both relevant and immediately useful.

For anyone who’s passionate about making a positive impact through entrepreneurship, this course is ideal. Whether you're a budding founder or already have some experience, the Academy’s approach equips you with practical tools and insights that can accelerate your journey. If you're serious about building a meaningful business with a strong foundation, this course is a game-changer."

Digital Engineer at Sonata Software
Chiku Agarwal
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"An empowering platform designed to enhance your understanding of the startup ecosystem.

It serves as a dynamic space for founders to connect, collaborate, and sharpen their entrepreneurial acumen.

Whether you're just starting out, navigating the mid-growth phase, or scaling towards maturity, this platform offers valuable insights, meaningful connections, and the tools to thrive in every stage of your journey.

I highly recommend every founder, regardless of their stage, to become a part of this community and unlock their full potential."

Podcast Host T Bengaluru Traffic Talks
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