The DEIA Catalyst Program was a groundbreaking initiative empowering 65 MSMEs across India to embed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility into their core operations.
Despite low baseline awareness, the program equipped participants with tools, mentorship, and real-world strategies, resulting in measurable progress—from inclusive recruitment to stronger leadership advocacy. Venture Center was the implementation partner of the The DEIA Catalyst Program along with PeopleWiz Consulting as the Knowledge Partner.
A survey by ‘Indeed’ composed of 1,142 employers and 1,430 employees across India highlighted a significant gap of 77% employers acknowledge the value of DEIA for business performance. However, only 21% have implemented policies supporting DEIA principles. Among small businesses, 73% lack awareness or understanding of DEIA practices, reflecting stark differences.
Driving an industry evolution to empower MSME leaders, The DEIA Catalyst Program was launched aiming to provide tools and frameworks to foster equitable, inclusive, and accessible business practices. Rooted in the belief that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) principles strengthen economic outcomes, innovation, and fosters a culture of shared and practiced democratic values.
The stories sprouted by our cohort members are not just in silo—they are a subtle wave of change created by the cohort members of the DEIA Catalyst Program, laying the foundational journey for Indian MSMEs to embrace these principles of ethos, integrity, innovation, and recognition through the walls of the business world.
A Movement Rooted in Purpose
Launched in April 2024, 65 diverse MSMEs united by the DEIA Catalyst Program from sectors like Healthcare, Manufacturing, Technology, and more—hailing from diverse parts across India like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi,Chandigarh, Manipur, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Jaipur. We partnered with industry leaders and experts in inclusive recruitment practices, women empowerment, LGBTQIA+ and other minority communities inclusion, and legal compliances—provided a flexible yet crucial framework to integrate DEIA principles into operations, innovation, and leadership.
A robust outreach campaign, featuring a dedicated website, social media content, roadshows, and a virtual “Ask Me Anything” session, attracting 95 MSME applications. After interviews assessing organizational readiness, 65 were selected with a pre-program survey, tailoring content to their DEIA awareness and priorities.
On April 22, 2024 the DEIA Catalyst Program launched with introductions of program partners, teams, and diverse cohort members, an overview of, focus areas, methodologies, key dates, and COLAB portal features, plus an interactive Q&A. The event set an enthusiastic tone for the DEIA journey.
On 22nd May, 2024 in Mumbai, during the cohort showcase, members shared how DEIA principles are being strategically embedded within their organizational practices and culture. Their presentations reflected tangible efforts and innovative approaches tailored to their business environments, underscoring the real-world impact of inclusive practices.
During the launch of the DEIA charter—the cohort pledged to uphold the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in strengthening the foundation of their organizations—prominently displayed in their offices to symbolize a collective commitment to progressive change.
Testimonials from cohort members reflect the program’s impact with participants appreciating and engaging with the interactive and practical approach through the end:
The DEIA Methodology
The DEIA Catalyst Program, spanning year-long, was meticulously designed with one-on-one sessions, zonal bootcamps, webinars and inspiration sessions, virtual check-ins, assessments, and audits to sustain momentum and foster inclusive environments. Expert-led virtual sessions, tailored to regional and linguistics contexts, built awareness, while the DEIA Maturity Assessment and Questionnaire mapped cohort members’ current and desired DEIA initiatives, awareness, training, and priorities, with the DEIA Maturity Model ensuring comprehensive coverage of all DEIA principles through multi-layered checkpoints.
The DEIA Catalyst Program’s Bootcamp, held across all four zones, engaged 60 DEIA ambassadors in person to address questionnaire responses, discuss recommendations, explore COLAB resources, and learn to use the DEIA roadmap template.
Boot camps are the coming together of cohort members to exchange perspectives, break down barriers, biases, celebrate uniqueness. and review roadmaps in line with the DEIA framework - as a baseline and to determine action points for the journey ahead
Post boot camp, 52 ambassadors developed their organization’s DEIA roadmap which was reviewed during the virtual check-in sessions to track progress on their maturity levels, identified strengths and areas for growth, provided tailored guidance to ensure alignment with DEIA objectives and strengthened efforts.
The midpoint survey gathered insights from 44 cohort members on DEIA milestones achieved and collected feedback. The data identified areas in need of support, enabling targeted actions to help meet the milestones.
Advancing Inclusion: Talks on Accessibility and DEIA Innovations for Indian Workplaces
Our Ecosystem Partners engaged with cohorts and guided them to foster collaborations, networking, and innovative solutions while addressing challenges.
Led by keynote speakers, Aradhana Lal (Lemon Tree) and Soumita Basu (Zyenika Fashion) discussing MSME accessibility and inclusion. Lal shared insights on leading diverse teams, while Basu emphasized inclusive practices drawing from personal experiences.
The Inclusion Solutions Lab connected cohort members across zones with experts like Poonam Natrajan, Zainab Patel, and Dr. Minu Budhia driving collaboration, inspiration sessions, including Shalini Khanna and Rajeev Kumar, sparked a dialogue on representation and practical DEIA strategies, with the webinar shared on YouTube to fuel national discourse.
Inspiring DEIA Transformation Stories
In partnership with cohort members to capture their DEIA initiative progress, showcasing impactful transformations in fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. These stories highlight organizational growth and cultural change. Discover more about them here.
The National Conclave
The DEIA Catalyst Program witnessed a profound shift across 65 MSMEs, turning aspirations into measurable impact.
Anchoring their ecosystems, cohort members reshaped their workplaces, achieving remarkable progress:
33% increase in Compliance, 32% increase in Representation, 39% increase in Leadership Advocacy, 27% increase in Policies and Processes, 39% increase in Infrastructure, 66% increase in Learning Initiatives, and an 81% increase in Reporting and Tracking.
The program meticulously followed through every step of the way ensuring cohort members have consistent support and supervision mapping their progress.
Pradeep Bhargava, Keynote Speaker, shared interesting insights on how leaders can champion the cause of diversity & inclusion to drive lasting change in organisations.
69 Awareness & Assessment Sessions | 8 Zonal Boot Camps | 53 Virtual Check-Ins | 36 Final Audit
These milestones reflect a journey of grit, unity, and impact.
The DEIA Innovation Challenge
The DEIA Innovation Challenge recognized and celebrated cohort members’ outstanding efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. It identified top innovators who applied DEIA principles to create new products, processes, or business outcomes.
The challenge catered to a fair, holistic criteria, the challenge culminated in the program’s concluding conclave, highlighting creativity, innovation, and commitment, with two participants’ solution-oriented initiative standing out—DEIA Leadership Award to LinkITBlueCollar Founded by Nimisha Tiwari and Inclusive Innovator Award to Zyneika Adaptive Clothing Founded by Soumita Basu.
The launch of ‘Better Together’
‘Better Together’ was launched to create not just a guidebook but a living and evolving template for MSMEs to embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) principles and share the invaluable learnings from 65 cohort members in the Catalyst Program and extend its reach to foster the MSME community in India. The book’s purpose is to be a practical ‘how-to’ with actionable strategies, tools, and real-world case studies tailored to the unique needs of young organizations.
Featuring representatives from Cohort Members & Ecosystem Allies displaying their innovative products, services, and programs championing inclusive growth to educate and create awareness about their work.
This book is for anyone and everyone who wants to begin their DEIA journey, enhance existing initiatives, offer frameworks, legal considerations, and ethical practices with actionable steps for creating authentic, inclusive, equitable workplaces.
Tangible Strides Forward
With platforms like COLAB, and DEIA Catalyst Program website, dedicated to foster community engagement and continuous learning will keep the momentum alive fostering workplaces, showcases 2024-25 cohort, highlighting MSMEs advancing DEIA-aligned policies where every story finds its place in the ecosystem of progress.
Policies such as POSH, The Rights for People with Disabilities (PRWD), maternity benefits, upgraded infrastructure and digital access were implemented.
Inclusive recruitment of LGBTQIA+ and minority communities, paired with leadership training, ensured equitable frameworks and empowered teams, driving progress across workplaces.
Looking Ahead
The DEIA Catalyst Program has been an accelerator for change. From artisans weaving vibrant futures to engineers designing inclusive and innovative solutions, cohort members have stood as an example that DEIA is not just a checkbox but a mindset and a practical way of life in profession, innovation, and beyond.
To carry this transformation forward, MSMEs are poised to invest in DEIA principles, building diverse and inclusive leadership and integrating DEIA KPIs into business metrics to ensure accountability.
However, this is not the end but just a beginning; towards a journey of exploration, learning, and preparing for the second wave of the DEIA catalyst accelerator program.
We wear the DEIA message like our hearts on sleeves and extend our hand to every individual and organization who wants to be the change, be better together.