Since change is the only constant and is measured in time, its impact changes everything over time. Take sustainability as a measure of that positive change for example. As an urgent global goal, sustainability can only be achieved when everyone thinks upon it equally and acts in collaboration. In theory that is the fundamental for achieving any real progress. In practice, there exists conflicting views, weak motivation, issues of inequity and imbalance, power struggle, unfair distribution, and access to resources etc. Even large corporations in the region have just begun on the path to cleansing our environment, stop and then reverse ecological degradation, establish fair and transparent relationships and create a better business and living ecosystem. In their journey, inclusion remains a continuing challenge where everybody, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and entrepreneurs can have equitable access to knowledge, expertise, advise, resources, and wherewithal to contribute equally, thus, creating the highest kind of positive social change – a mission that seeded the idea of IMPACTO Foundation.
According to Veena Ravuri, the Director of the corporate advisory arm and benefit corporation, IMPACTO, their theory of change states the problem: A critical mass of SMEs, women entrepreneurs, and rural population have limited access to quality information, tools, expertise, resources and networks to meaningfully participate in sustainable development efforts, both as drivers and beneficiaries of positive economic, environmental and social change and impact.
The Proposition: Collaboration, Commitment, and Change
“The proposition of IMPACTO Foundation,” says Kishore Ravuri, its Founder and Director, “is Collaboration, Commitment, and Change to drive values of inclusion, integrity and impact.” These principles and values are not just a call to action but a roadmap for building a responsible and prosperous society. Collaboration is at the heart of their mission, driven by key principles such as Access, Capacity, Inclusion, and Engagement. Access ensures free and fair availability of technical knowledge, resources, and networks, empowering businesses and communities. Capacity focuses on curating bespoke content to enable individuals and organisations to address social inequalities and environmental harm. Inclusion emphasises systemic involvement of disadvantaged stakeholders, fostering equitable opportunities. Lastly, Engagement promotes sustainability stewardship, stakeholder communication, and shared value creation, establishing mutually beneficial synergies.
The foundation of collaboration naturally leads to Commitment—a dedication to driving sustainable growth. As Kishore highlights, “Commitment translates into improved knowledge and skills to develop impactful business ideas, fostering confidence to make responsible, sustainability-oriented decisions.” With increased opportunities to create positive social and environmental outcomes, participants experience a multiplier effect, forming partnerships that amplify progress.
Ultimately, this approach culminates into a transformative Change, grounded in shared values. “At IMPACTO, our vision is about putting profits to a purpose and leaving no one behind,” Kishore states. Their mission underscores collaboration with responsible businesses to empower MSMEs, underserved communities, rural youth, and women entrepreneurs. By creating shared value and inclusive growth opportunities, IMPACTO champions systemic change where economic progress harmonises with social equity and environmental sustainability.
Ikigai: The Raison D’Être
“Life isn’t fair for everyone. Not everyone has the same resources and privileges,” shares Veena, reflecting on the genesis of IMPACTO Foundation. “The older you get, the more you learn how the world is not created equal. This is true even for small businesses and underserved entrepreneurs—those who have great potential but lack the advantages of the privileged.” It was this realisation that sparked the foundation’s journey into the social responsibility ecosystem. Fueled by the belief that impactful change does not require deep pockets but rather the right skills and knowledge, IMPACTO Foundation set out to catalyse high-potential entrepreneurs and businesses into becoming purposeful leaders of the future.
For IMPACTO Foundation’s Directors, the driving force behind their mission is ikigai, a Japanese concept often translated as “the reason for being.” “Everyone has an ikigai,” Veena explains, “the reason why we wake up in the morning, the reason that brings balance to our otherwise mundane, mechanical lives.” This profound purpose aligns passion, profession, mission, and vocation, creating a harmonious existence that transcends individual ambitions.
IMPACTO Foundation has discovered its ikigai in empowering disadvantaged and marginalised communities, particularly micro and small enterprises and entrepreneurs. “In shaping this new-age NGO, we have found our purpose in sharing the benefits of our years of experience, struggles, and little successes with those who need it most,” says Veena. By fostering inclusion, sustainable growth, and shared value, the foundation not only uplifts communities but also fulfills its raison d’être, creating a world where ‘potential’ thrives despite the odds.
The Paradigm Shift: From a Charitable Mindset to Return on Value
“For the longest time, NGOs and even large Corporates have championed causes for the disadvantaged and underserved communities,” shares Kishore. “However, we’ve also observed how the ‘charitable’ mindset, over time, corrupts both the giver and the receiver. It fosters dependency, diverts the intent from addressing root causes, and promotes ad hoc funding approaches that lack meaningful, permanent solutions.” This critical insight is fundamental to IMPACTO Foundation’s innovative model as a leading Social Solution Provider.
IMPACTO Foundation calls for a Paradigm Shift in the way social contributions are approached. “Charities must not flow without an assurance of return on value,” asserts Kishore. This ensures sustained motivation and commitment from contributors while driving impactful outcomes. At our Foundation, every contribution is reciprocated with value-add Zero Cost services focused on sustainability. These include assessing sustainability reports for greenwashing risks, capability building for boards and CEOs, policy development, and SME adoption programmes for top-spend suppliers in value chains.
“This differentiated approach ensures that charity at our Foundation has tangible value,” Kishore emphasises. “We want every contribution to be reciprocated through services of value and purposeful projects. Those who give will receive as much and more, while giving the opportunity to the donors to serve as catalysts for meaningful learning and growth of beneficiaries.” By integrating purposeful interventions with reciprocal benefits, IMPACTO Foundation challenges the status quo and redefines how impactful social change is envisioned and delivered. This shift, as Kishore notes, “keeps the ecosystem dynamic, ensures accountability, and creates a ripple effect of growth and sustainability.”
Catalysing Future-Ready SMEs: Delivering Responsible Growth
“Our unique approach lies in partnering with large businesses and ecosystem stakeholders to steer learning and responsible growth objectives for disadvantaged entrepreneurs and MSMEs,” shares Veena. “Yes, government programmes exist, but given the sheer scale of MSMEs in the country, there’s room for much more. It’s not always about financial support—it’s about creating awareness, imparting knowledge, and building the skills required to foster responsible and resilient businesses that benefit both shareholders and stakeholders.”
IMPACTO Foundation’s mission is to catalyse future-ready MSMEs by empowering disadvantaged and women entrepreneurs. Drawing from over four decades of combined corporate and business expertise of its Directors, the organisation focuses on delivering practical, impactful solutions to those who need them the most. “Our sole purpose is to enable MSMEs to thrive by equipping them with capabilities, knowledge resources, and networks essential for sustainable growth,” Veena emphasises.
IMPACTO operates on the values of Samavesa (Inclusion), Saccata (Integrity), and Sumarga (Impact). “Inclusion means coaching and supporting disadvantaged entrepreneurs, integrating them into national, regional, and global supply chains,” explains Veena. “Integrity is at the core of what we do. We critically assess business practices, addressing the risks of exploitative actions and greenwashing. And through Impact, we design and deliver grassroots capability-building projects that bridge public and private sectors, civil society, and NGOs.”
By prioritising sustainable business practices and fostering equitable opportunities, IMPACTO Foundation positions itself as a trailblazer in the social empowerment sector. “Our efforts are geared towards ensuring that the SMEs of today become the responsible and resilient enterprises of tomorrow,” Veena concludes. “It’s about shaping a future where growth is inclusive, delivered with integrity, with impact that is meaningful for all.”
The Profits-Purpose Equilibrium: An Ecosystem for Sustainable Business
“When you ask micro and small entrepreneurs what they need most, their immediate response is a believer—someone who can help realise their purpose, fund their ideas or help to scale business and to monetise opportunities,” shares Kishore. “Another growing concern among these entrepreneurs is building a brand and business with a strong sense of purpose, environmental responsibility, and social impact.” Balancing these immediate needs with long-term systemic change forms the focus of the Foundation. IMPACTO Foundation addresses this duality by adopting a structured, purpose-driven approach. “We plan a journey with these entrepreneurs,” says Kishore. “Through mentoring, coaching, and continuous motivation, we guide them to remain focused on the principles that will shape robust and responsible businesses, prepared for sustainable growth and success.” By integrating short-term interventions with long-term developmental goals, the Foundation aims to help businesses transition from a stage of survival to a position of significance.
Central to this balance is the advocacy of organisational justice—a set of principles that promote fairness and equity in all interactions. “We emphasise distributive justice for fair outcomes, interpersonal justice for respectful treatment, procedural justice for equitable decision-making, and informational justice for transparency,” Kishore explains. These principles inspire our values of inclusion, integrity, and impact.
“When such principles are applied to managing relationships with employees, supply chain partners, and the community,” Kishore adds, “we create the right motivation to pursue different yet mutually value-creating aspirations.” The Foundation champions these values by bridging equitable relationships between large businesses, SMEs, and communities. “Our goal is to respect basic rights while fostering shared value, ensuring that both individuals and businesses thrive together in the pursuit of sustainability,” Kishore concludes. This equilibrium in interests, motivation and aspirations drives immediate action while catalysing systemic, enduring change.
Digital Empowerment: Enabling Future IMPACT
“Digital solutions have the potential to improve accessibility and awareness, creating a perfect platform to design and deliver impactful interventions over significant timescales,” says Veena of IMPACTO Foundation. This perspective underscores the transformative role of modern digital technologies in the social reform sector. By leveraging digital tools, organisations can enhance reach, improve efficiency, and drive long-term change in communities and businesses alike.
IMPACTO Foundation is embracing this shift with a forward-thinking initiative. “We are currently developing an e-platform specifically for Banks and SMEs,” Veena reveals. “This shared resource will allow banks to partially automate credit and ESG due diligence for SMEs while recommending Performance Improvement Plans under our mentorship.” This innovation not only streamlines processes for financial institutions but also positions them as catalysts for the long-term growth and resilience of MSMEs. By fostering robust partnerships, the platform creates a pipeline of loyal, high-potential customers for banks and a path to sustainability for MSMEs.
The benefits are multifold. “Through the platform, MSMEs will be able to assess, measure, improve, monitor, and report their overall financial health, sustainability, and growth,” explains Veena. Furthermore, IMPACTO Foundation aims to assist eligible local MSMEs in starting their digital journeys. “This will help them access newer markets, grow their businesses, and uplift their financial standing,” Veena adds. In doing so, the foundation not only drives economic empowerment but also seeds impactful local projects that create a ripple effect of progress.
By integrating modern technology into its core mission, IMPACTO Foundation demonstrates how digital empowerment can revolutionise the social reform sector. “Adopting digital technologies is not just about staying relevant,” Veena concludes, “it’s about building a sustainable ecosystem where businesses and communities can thrive together.”
An Insight for Entrepreneurs and NGOs: Committing to the Purpose
“Don’t be disillusioned,” says Veena, offering a guiding principle for budding social entrepreneurs aspiring to make a difference through the NGO space. “Believe in the knowledge and skill sets you bring to the table. They can be of immense value to your target communities.” Social entrepreneurship demands more than just passion—it requires a strategic understanding of the root causes of issues one feels strongly about. “Starting with this understanding is crucial,” Veena adds. “It’s what will keep you motivated in the long run.”
Kishore echoes this sentiment, emphasising the importance of partnerships and collaboration. “Establish the right partnerships and work with people who bring fresh perspectives,” he advises. “Collaborating with those closer to the issues you want to champion not only enriches your approach but also strengthens the impact of your efforts.”
A sustainable NGO requires a thoughtful business model. “It’s not about minting profits,” Veena explains. “It’s about ensuring the longevity of your mission that addresses root-causes of issues that are undermining human potential and their ability to lead thriving ideas and businesses.” By connecting with stakeholders, measuring progress, reporting outcomes, and gradually scaling the coverage and degree of impact, social entrepreneurs can achieve meaningful, long-lasting change.
“Remember,” Kishore concludes, “impact doesn’t happen overnight. Focus on building a strong human network, nurturing collaborations, and staying committed to the communities you serve. With patience and persistence, you can create positive transformation.” This illuminating advice from Veena and Kishore encapsulates the mindset and approach needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the NGO landscape, inspiring the next generation of social leaders.
Outsmarting Obstacles: Fostering New-Age Sustainable Businesses
The path to fostering sustainable business practices is fraught with challenges, but as Veena and Kishore of IMPACTO Foundation emphasise, these obstacles are opportunities to rethink and reshape traditional approaches. “SMEs continue to be undermined and exploited in both global and local supply chains,” notes Veena. “This lack of motivation to prioritise long-term sustainability is a significant hurdle.” Similarly, young entrepreneurs—especially women—face disproportionate disadvantages in markets dominated by large players with privileged resources and networks.
Another pressing issue is the absence of a unified non-profit apex institution to guide MSMEs on their sustainability journey. “While India boasts huge CSR funds from Corporate Inc, their impact is often diluted,” adds Kishore. “Many of these funds could be strategically leveraged within supply chains to create deeper, more meaningful change before expanding outward.” Political will, personal networks, and financial resources also pose significant challenges in achieving scale and impact.
IMPACTO Foundation’s approach to outsmarting these obstacles is rooted in collaboration and focused interventions. “In our maiden year of operations in 2025, we aim to establish anchor partners—banks, large businesses, NGOs, and industry associations—to adopt at least a dozen SMEs,” shares Veena. “With performance plans spanning 1-2 years, we’ll seed-fund high-potential projects and provide essential knowledge and skills for sustainable growth.” By aligning with stakeholders who share their vision, IMPACTO Foundation is laying the bricks for impactful change.
Scaling operations, however, is not the priority. “Scale is not important to us; but impact is non-negotiable,” stresses Kishore. “Our focus isn’t on increasing the number of projects but on designing high-impact, high-quality initiatives that serve a purpose beyond profits.” To achieve this, the foundation plans to onboard experienced, visionary board members who can bring practical knowledge and skills to shape the sustainable businesses of tomorrow.
With a commitment to long-term adoption of causes and a purpose-driven strategy, IMPACTO Foundation is poised to outsmart obstacles and foster a sustainable business future. “Our vision is clear,” Veena concludes, “we want to empower SMEs and entrepreneurs not just to survive but to thrive, creating ripple effects of positive change in their communities and industries.”
