Deshpande Center for Social Entrepreneurship (DCSE)

DESHPANDE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

DFP is now accepting
applications for its next
class of budding social
entrepreneurs!
Are you a young, passionate university gradu-
ate who wants to revolutionize the social sec-
tor or start your own social enterprise? If so,
the Deshpande Fellowship Program can give
the platform needed to launch you to success.

DCSE has more than 60 partner NGOs working

in Northern Karnataka and relationships with
more than 100 organizations across India and
the globe. Through site visits as well as special
events and networking opportunities, you will
have access to all these relationships, plus the
DCSE staff and trainers’ own diverse range of
Fellows with Abdul Kalam, Sudha Murty, Jaishree and Gururaj Deshpande, Narayana Murty
expertise. and Deshpande Foundation staff at the 2009 inauguration of the DCSE building in Hubli.

DFP will put you through nearly 30 rigorous

modules taught by experts in the field and will
give you a chance—on a weekly basis—to hear
the personal stories of foremost entrepre-
neurs from around the world. Finally, as DFP
emphasizes hands-on learning and practical
experience, you will be continuously perfect-
ing the skills developed in the classroom.
The opportunities for learning are endless!
Join DCSE’s network today as a Deshpande
Fellow and take the first step towards making
a real difference as India’s next social leader.
Apply by:
What is DFP? Inside:
The Deshpande Fellowship Program (DFP) takes young
Modules p.2
professionals with a passion for inspiring social change
and immerses them in a unique environment designed to Guest Speakers
produce strong social leaders.
p.2
The Fellowship is a rigorous, 6 month residential course
comprised of nearly 30 modules, all taught by specialists “Learning by
in the field. The module list is complemented by weekly Doing” p.3
guest speakers— distinguished entrepreneurs, scholars,

20 APRIL 2010 or personalities within the social sector— who come to Life After DFP
DCSE to share their personal story and vision with the Fel- p.4
For an application or more information, lows. Finally, classroom theories are solidified into practi-
contact: cal skills through regular hands-on experience in the field. Application
Chinnababu: 9740011883
The result is a strong group of budding social entrepre- Information p.4
Bindiya: 9481443320
neurs ready to lead the way to social change in Karnataka,
fellowship@dfmail.org
in India, and beyond.
DCSE
BVB College of Engineering
Vidyanagar, Hubli 580031
Karnataka, India
2
Modules Include:
• English
• Technology
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Fundraising
• Marketing
• Technical Writing
• Participatory Rural Appraisal
• Logical Framework Analysis
• Effective Communication
• Village Study
• Marketing
• Business Plan Preparation
• Entrepreneurial Motivational
Training
• Development
• Health
• Education
• Microfinance
• Agriculture
• Livelihood
• Eco-Tourism
• Economics
• Advocacy
• Right To Information Act
• Gender
• Theory of Change
• Strategic Planning
• Financial Management
• Accounting
• Operations Management
• Budgeting
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Management Information Systems
“Fellows were given an
opportunity to meet suc-
cessful entrepreneurs like
Mr. Gururaj Deshpande,
Mr. Jagadesh Hiremath,
Ms. Chetana Sinha and Mr.
Iranna Homabalimath. The
challenges that these peo-
ple faced in their lives gave
me a lot of confidence as
well as the fellows who are
going to start their own
enterprises.”
- Veeresh, Fellow, Cohort-II
MODULES
DFP puts its Fellows through a rigorous and en-
riching course of modules that cover three gen-
eral areas: skills, knowledge, and management.
Modules are taught by specialists in the respec-
tive fields who come to DCSE from across India
to share their expertise. Fellows solidify their
knowledge through various individual and group
activities such as debates and presentations.
Also, each module includes a component of
hands-on practice. The DFP modules provide the
theoretical framework necessary for success in
the development sector and for building suc-
cessful new enterprises.
“The modules like finance and accounting, legal aspects and good
governance, strategic planning and management and ecotourism
have been specifically helpful to me, as I am going to start my ecot-
ourism venture in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.” - Jagadish, Fellow,
Cohort-I
GUEST SPEAKERS
The best way to learn is through experi-
ence. For this reason, DFP invites nota-
ble guest speakers to DCSE on a weekly
basis. Through these sessions, Fellows
are given the opportunity to learn from
Fellows with N.R. Narayana Murty of Infosys
the experiences of people who have al-
Past Guest Speakers Include: ready navigated the road to success.
N.R. Narayana Murty Speakers come from a broad range of
Founder, Infosys fields to maximize the Fellows’ opportu-
Gururaj Deshpande
nities for learning.
Co-Founder, Sycamore Networks
Jaishree Deshpande
Founder, Deshpande Foundation
DFP QUICK FACTS
Manivannan
Deputy Commissioner – Mysore, IAS • Fellows come from a wide variety of
Dr. Prasad Ram personal, educational, and professional
Chief Technology Officer, Google India backgrounds. Degrees held range from
Ramji Raghavan Engineering to MSW to M.Phil to MBA.
Executive Director, Agastya International
• Approximately 80% of Fellows come
from Karnataka, with 50% concentrated
in the Northern part of the state. 15-
20% of Fellows come from other places
across India, and that percentage is
growing with every batch.
• The average Fellow has 1-2 years of
professional experience before joining
DFP.
A lecture by Gururaj Deshpande of Sycamore Networks
“LEARNING BY DOING”

An agriculture lesson from farmers (left), leading an awareness rally (center) and an NGO site visit to Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, Dharwad (right).

Besides the quality and qualifications of our guest speakers, our mod- To date, Fellows have:
ules, and of the specialists who teach them, what makes DFP truly • Conducted more than 635 Leadership Ac-
unique its “Learn by Doing” approach. Throughout the Fellowship, Fel- tivities
lows are given opportunities to practice and apply every concept and • Generated more than Rs. 40,000 in reve-
skill that they have learned in the classroom. Apart from the modules, nue through Entrepreneurship Activities
on a weekly basis Fellows go out into the community to conduct Lead- • Raised more than Rs. 5 lakh through Fund-
ership Activities and Entrepreneurship Activities, and throughout the raising Activities
Fellowship they work to develop, plan, manage and
execute a wide variety of Fundraising Events.

Dance Masti, a Cohort-III Fundraising Event worth more than Rs. 40,000
(left) and a Cohort-I Leadership Activity cleaning Nrupatunga Hill (right)

DEVELOPMENT DIALOGUE
Fellows with Development Dialogue 2010 Keynote Speaker Sudha Murty
Each year, the Deshpande Foundation hosts Develop-
ment Dialogue, an international development confer-
ence that in 2010 brought together more than 400
delegates from across the globe. Delegates come from
many fields: social work, health, agriculture, educa-
tion, and – of course – entrepreneurship.
DFP Fellows are tapped as volunteers for the 3-day
event, and are the ones who are primarily responsible
for making sure that things run smoothly. They man-
age transport, media, logistics, food – every detail is
covered. Between the intensity of managing a global
event and the countless opportunities for learning
and networking, DD is a truly transformative experi-
ence for the Fellows.
“After the session with Sudha Murty I was
completely sure of my capabilities as a bud-
ding social entrepreneur, and after DD I can
proudly say that I can bear the pressure.”
- Avinash, Fellow, Cohort-IV
“The array of participants from around the
world allowed people to really see what their
ideas look like from another perspective.”
- Anindita, Fellow, Cohort-IV
“DD gave me the chance to meet entrepre-
neurs from many different countries and to talk
with them about their work. Thanks to DD, I
have been able to build a network of delegates
all over the world.” - Sunil, Fellow, Cohort-IV
3
 4 AFTER THE FELLOWSHIP
DFP has already become a recognized name within much of Karnataka.
Our program produces innovative, effective leaders, and our reputation
reflects this. DCSE hosts a Career Fair at the end of each Fellowship pe-
riod, during which organizations from the surrounding districts come to
Hubli to meet and recruit Fellows. Alternatively, many Fellows choose
to go on to start their own independent enterprises, for which they can
count on the support of DCSE as well as the DFP Alumni Network, which Women of Safe Hands 24x7, a Fellow-started enterprise earn-
is steadily expanding beyond Northern Karnataka and across India. ing an annual revenue of more than Rs. 1 lakh. Safe Hands
empowers women by providing training and employment in
To date, 100% of our graduates are employed. security professions.

Sikandar (Fellow, Cohort-I) and a 63 Graduates

rainwater harvesting pond that he
9 New Social Enterprises
built at BVB College of Engineering
in Hubli through his social enter- 100% Placement
prise, Sankalp Rural Development
Society. Strong, Growing Alumni Network

“I see great, enthusiastic and energetic "The fellowship program is truly customized for the
graduates coming out of this unique pro- actual requirements of the industry. The fellows are
gram. They are equipped with the necessary surely better-prepared to face the real world than
skill sets and knowledge, to perform better any other graduates / post-graduates. In addition to
in the development sector. Trainers have the training on business fundamentals, the lessons
nourished the fellows to be a passionate taught on human relationship, social commitments,
professional. DFP makes a significant differ- etc are commendable. DFP is certainly making differ-
ence to the Sandbox.“ ence to the society."
- Professor R.N. Tikot, Founder, Vidya Poshak - Vijay Mane, Module Specialist: Finance
Professor R.N. Tikot

BECOME A DESHPANDE FELLOW

We want applicants who: Program Facts: To apply:
Contact:

• Are passionate about creating • Fellows must pay tuition of Rs. Chinnababu (9740011883)
social change 30,000; plus all living expenses. Bindiya (9481443320) or

• Have earned a graduate or • Fellows receive a performance- fellowship@dfmail.org to request

based stipend up to Rs. 30,000 an application.
post-graduate degree
for the Fellowship period.
• Are between 23-28 years of
• Fellows are provided a personal Apply via email or mail hard copy
age (preferred)
laptop with unlimited internet to:
access and use of DCSE facili- DCSE, BVB College of Engineering
ties. Vidyanagar, Hubli 580031
Women are encouraged to apply! Karnataka, India