Manisha Gupta

Manisha Gupta is a prominent figure in India's social entrepreneurship sector with over 27 years of experience.2 She is the founder and director of Start Up!, an organization that functions as an incubator, impact accelerator, and angel investor for social entrepreneurs.12

Manisha's career highlights include:

1. Founding Start Up! in 2009, which has seeded and scaled more than 100 social ventures across 17 states in India.2
2. Working at Ashoka: Innovators for the Public for nine years as the India Country Representative and International Director for Ashoka's youth programs.12
3. Leading the India Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award for over a decade on behalf of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and the World Economic Forum.2
4. Co-authoring two books: "1098- Childline Calling" and "Opening Doors – Ten Years of Ford Foundation's International Fellowships in India".12

Manisha began her career as a journalist before transitioning to the social entrepreneurship sector.2 She is passionate about creating deep impact through collaborations with grassroots communities and has worked extensively with women entrepreneurs in Indian villages.23