Andhra Pradesh is gearing up to hold the Ankur Yatra, a one-of-a-kind bus journey aimed at promoting startup innovation in the state's rural areas. Set to be flagged off on October 2, on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, this initiative seeks to bridge the gap between rural challenges and entrepreneurial opportunities, bringing global investors and local entrepreneurs together to uplift the rural economy.
J A Chowdhary, Founder and Chairman of the International Startup Foundation (ISF), the visionary behind the initiative, highlighted the potential of rural India. “We believe that India has immense potential in its rural areas. Every problem in rural India is an opportunity for a startup,” he said, stressing the significance of the journey. The Ankur Yatra is an experiment, one of the first of its kind globally, and aims to turn the spotlight on rural innovations.
A key event during the yatra will be the gathering of entrepreneurs and investors in Amaravati on September 30, followed by a meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on October 1. The Chief Minister will flag off the bus convoy of 25 buses, each filled with startup founders, investors, and thought leaders committed to fostering rural innovation.
The yatra is designed to focus on rural entrepreneurial spirit, with smaller events in towns like Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Guntur, where local entrepreneurs and universities will take the lead. Each stop will allow rural innovators to present their ideas and showcase innovative solutions that address local challenges. These micro-events are geared toward promoting grassroots startups, offering them exposure and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors.
The project is already receiving global attention, with interest from investors and mentors from North America, Europe, Singapore, and India. “We have many CTOs, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world who want to give back to their own districts, towns, and villages. The response has been overwhelming,” Chowdhary noted. The Yatra will feature 25 buses, each filled with rural innovators, investors, and mentors, travelling across Andhra Pradesh to identify and nurture rural startups.
The goal is ambitious but clear—to create jobs, generate wealth, and uplift the rural economy through the growth of startups. According to Chowdhary, “This unique bus yatra will not only help create startups in rural India but also drive job creation and wealth generation. The rural economy can be uplifted through these efforts.” The Ankur Yatra plans to identify 10-15 promising startups and provide them with the necessary resources to grow their businesses.
With plans to replicate the initiative in Telangana by December, Chowdhary believes that this model can be adopted globally. “If this pilot is successful, it can be replicated anywhere in the world where there is a need to uplift the rural economy. Rural India has the potential to create unicorns and decacorns—our goal is to help make that happen,” he emphasized.
As Andhra Pradesh prepares for the Ankur Yatra, entrepreneurs and investors alike are eager to see the impact of this innovative initiative. By providing rural startups with exposure, mentorship, and resources, Ankur Yatra aims to set the stage for a new wave of entrepreneurial success stories emerging from the heart of India’s rural landscape.
