Salaam Bombay Foundation’s ‘Dolphin Tanki 4.0’ Helps 20 Underprivileged Youth Pursue Entrepreneurial Dreams | Representative Image
Mumbai: Although the name sounds like a parody version of Shark Tank, Salaam Bombay Foundation’s ‘Dolphin Tanki’ has helped underprivileged youth to follow their entrepreneurship spirit. The latest edition ‘Dolphin Tanki 4.0’ saw the entrepreneurship spirit of 36 underprivileged youth from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Kolkata while providing financial support to 20 of them to materialise their creative business idea.
What Is Dolphin Tanki?
Dolphin Tanki is a revolutionary program designed to showcase the potential of young grassroots entrepreneurs from underprivileged communities to establish sustainable enterprises if provided with the necessary resources, mentorship, and capital. The fourth edition of ‘Dolphin Tanki’, an innovative seed funding event, was hosted by Salaam Bombay Foundation on Friday at the School of Business Management, NMIMS Mumbai.
Young potential entrepreneurs presented creative business ideas in sectors as diverse as event management to beauty, bakery, mobile repairing, and makeup. The event saw twelve gold winners being given vital financial support of Rs50,000 to Rs60,000, with eight silver winners being awarded Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 in funding. Dolphin Tanki’s platform, for the first time, opened up to entrepreneurs from rural India, transcending geographical boundaries and displaying talent and innovation without boundaries.
Statement From The Director Of The Jasani Center For Social Entrepreneurship & Sustainability Management At NMIMS
Dr. Meena Galliara, director of Jasani Center for Social Entrepreneurship & Sustainability Management at NMIMS, said, “Dolphin Tanki is more than a competition, it is a movement towards inclusive entrepreneurship. This initiative gives young entrepreneurs from low-resource communities the chance to start and grow their businesses. With creativity and appropriate support, such start-ups can become drivers of development, pulling themselves and their communities along. Dolphin Tanki is a step towards making the Startup India movement truly representative of the complete diversity of entrepreneurial capability in the country.”
In association with the School of Business Management at NMIMS Mumbai, Dolphin Tanki opened the doors to enriching interactions and mentorship. Specifically, for three weeks prior to the event, MBA students mentored young entrepreneurs through business basics, financial structuring, customer interaction, and strategic expansion, facilitating a two-way exchange of knowledge. Notably, Salaam Bombay Foundation’s ‘Entrepreneurship Incubator’ has led the way in the launch of more than 550 enterprises over the years, of which 70% are headed by women.
Statement From The Senior Vice President Of Skills & Sports At Salaam Bombay Foundation
Gaurav Arora, senior vice president of skills and sports at Salaam Bombay Foundation, said, “Entrepreneurship need not be a privilege but must be an opportunity for everyone with vision and ambition. Dolphin Tanki is an example where young entrepreneurs have been able to create businesses that support not only themselves, but their families and communities as well. By giving them seed capital, mentorship, and business skills, we are placing them on a road to financial independence and long-term success.”
The effects of previous Dolphin Tanki events have been substantial, with winners experiencing three-fold boost in income, thus guaranteeing actual financial independence for families whose monthly incomes were previously unpredictable. The success stories of entrepreneurship have resulted in business reinvestment, service expansion, and job creation, creating ripples of economic empowerment in their communities.
