What Surge Impact does

Surge Impact Foundation is a Section 8 non-profit company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The foundation operates a portfolio of social-impact programs across three focus areas: climate action entrepreneurship incubation, diversity & inclusion entrepreneurship incubation (with a flagship LGBTQIA+ program and a planned disability-inclusion extension), and AI & digital skilling for underserved communities. Programs are delivered via direct in-person cohorts, fellowships, and workshops — primarily in Hyderabad with national reach for climate entrepreneurs — and include the Climate Changemakers Fellowship, AI & Digital Storytelling for Women, Digital Storytelling for Social Change, and the co-founded Atal Incubation Centre at IIIT Hyderabad.

The foundation's business model is non-commercial and multi-sided. It does not sell products or SaaS and has no proprietary technology platform. Revenue is sourced from four streams: corporate CSR funding (engaging corporates such as IBM, HSBC, Dr. Reddy's, Novartis, Deloitte, State Street, ITC, and Amazon to design and deliver CSR programs compliant with India's Companies Act), philanthropic grants (from Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives, The Deverakonda Foundation, and UNICEF), government contracts (most notably its 2018–2022 role as Project Management Unit of the Government of Telangana's official CSR cell, T-SIG, where it facilitated over ₹25 crore in CSR projects across 40 companies), and individual/institutional donations under its 80G and FCRA registrations.

Go-to-market is relationship-driven and ecosystem-mediated: the foundation positions itself as a convenor bridging corporates, government, foundations, and entrepreneurs through direct outreach, partner referrals, website applications, roundtables, and cohort gatherings. Reported cumulative outcomes include 68+ social ventures supported, 15 lakh+ lives impacted, 161 women trained in AI and digital skills, ₹25 crore+ in CSR projects facilitated during the T-SIG period, and a partner network of 300+ companies, 295 NGOs, and 39 government departments. The leadership team is led by CEO Roshan Dsouza, with Co-Founder Raj Janagam and Director Srikanth Bolla on the board alongside Manasa Varanasi and Kavitha Mantha.

Name

Surge Impact

Legal name

Surge Impact Foundation

Website

https://surgeimpact.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Surge Impact Foundation is a Hyderabad-based Section 8 non-profit running entrepreneurship incubation, climate action, diversity & inclusion, and AI & digital skilling programs for social entrepreneurs, corporates, foundations, and government partners across India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Impact Non-Profit Program Delivery

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)

Keywords

• Social impact incubation
• Climate entrepreneurship programs
• Diversity inclusion entrepreneurship
• AI digital skilling
• CSR program management

Headquarters

HQ city

Hyderabad

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Funding: Surge Impact Foundation partners with corporations to structure and implement CSR programs. Corporations engage SIF to design, manage, and deliver social impact initiatives on their behalf, compliant with India's Companies Act CSR requirements. Revenue flows as program fees or grants from corporate CSR budgets. The foundation explicitly invites corporates to 'put your CSR to work where it counts' and offers end-to-end program delivery.
2. Foundation and Philanthropic Grants: SIF receives grant funding from philanthropic foundations (e.g., Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives, The Deverakonda Foundation) to design and deliver targeted social programs. The Deverakonda Foundation co-funded the Middle Class Fund COVID-19 relief effort raising ₹1.7 crore. Foundation funding supports specific programmatic verticals (climate, inclusion, skilling).
3. Government Contract — Program Implementation: SIF serves as an implementation partner for government departments, designing and delivering large-scale social programs. As the Project Management Unit of the Telangana Social Impact Group (T-SIG) — the official CSR cell of the Department of Industries, Government of Telangana — SIF facilitated over ₹25 crore in CSR projects from 2018 to 2022. Ongoing government engagements include programs with the Department of Employment and Training, Telangana.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: SIF is a Section 8 non-profit, certified under 80G (enabling Indian donors to claim tax benefits) and FCRA-registered (eligible to receive foreign contributions). Individual and institutional donors contribute to fund SIF's direct program activities, including the AI & Digital Skilling, Diversity & Inclusion, and Climate Action programs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Surge Impact Foundation is a Hyderabad-based Section 8 non-profit that designs, manages, and delivers social impact programs across three focus areas: climate action entrepreneurship incubation, diversity & inclusion entrepreneurship (with an emphasis on LGBTQIA+ founders), and AI & digital skilling for underserved communities. It acts as an implementation partner for corporate CSR programs, philanthropic foundation grants, and government social programs, convening corporates, NGOs, governments, and entrepreneurs through direct program delivery, fellowships, and ecosystem-building roundtables.

Product overview

Surge Impact Foundation is a Section 8 non-profit organization offering a portfolio of social impact programs rather than a commercial product platform. The core offerings consist of five interconnected programs: the Climate Action Entrepreneurship Incubation supporting climate-focused ventures, the LGBTQIA+ Entrepreneurship Incubation for underrepresented founders, the AI & Digital Storytelling for Women program teaching practical AI skills, the Climate Changemakers Fellowship developing future climate leaders, and the Digital Storytelling for Social Change program enabling civic participation. Additionally, the foundation established the Atal Incubation Centre at IIIT Hyderabad. These programs operate across climate action, diversity and inclusion, and digital skilling focus areas, working with entrepreneurs, communities, and institutional partners to create lasting social change.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Climate Action Entrepreneurship Incubation Flagship incubation program supporting early-stage ventures in climate adaptation, mitigation, and climate justice with coaching, mentorship, leadership development, and peer learning. Designed for climate entrepreneurs building adaptation, mitigation, or climate justice solutions in India.
• LGBTQIA+ Entrepreneurship Incubation One of India's earliest dedicated incubation programs for LGBTQIA+ founders, providing leadership coaching, mentorship, enterprise development, peer learning, and access to funding. Designed for LGBTQIA+ founders in India facing systemic barriers to capital and networks.
• AI & Digital Storytelling for Women Program training women in AI-powered content creation, digital storytelling, mobile videography, and responsible AI use. Designed for college students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and micro-entrepreneurs in underserved Hyderabad communities.
• Climate Changemakers Fellowship Leadership program for emerging climate leaders featuring expert-led learning, field immersions, systems thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. Designed for emerging climate leaders in India.
• Digital Storytelling for Social Change Pilot program where young people from marginalised communities learn storytelling, filmmaking, and digital communication to produce original films about challenges in their own communities. Designed for marginalised youth in Hyderabad.
• Atal Incubation Centre at IIIT Hyderabad Incubation centre established in partnership with IIIT Hyderabad under India's Atal Innovation Mission, supporting early-stage startups and social ventures. Designed for early-stage founders seeking institutional incubation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 68 social ventures supported, impacting 15,00,000+ people across India
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• IBMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017IBM is listed among corporate partners that SIF has worked with. Nature of engagement likely involves CSR program collaboration, employee engagement, or technology-related support for social ventures in the SIF portfolio. Specific program details not publicly disclosed.
• HSBCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017HSBC is listed among corporate partners that SIF has worked with. Likely engaged through CSR funding or employee volunteer programs supporting SIF's social impact initiatives.
• Dr. Reddy'scoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Dr. Reddy's is listed among corporate partners that SIF has worked with, potentially engaging through CSR health or livelihood programs aligned with SIF's focus areas.
• NovartiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Novartis is listed among corporate partners. Likely engaged through CSR health access or inclusion programs.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Deloitte is listed among corporate partners. Likely engaged through pro-bono consulting, skill-based volunteering, or CSR program support.
• State StreetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017State Street is listed among corporate partners. Likely engaged through CSR funding or employee engagement programs.
• ITCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017ITC is listed among corporate partners. SIF has delivered programs in partnership with ITC, including the Wealth Out of Waste program (13,560 students engaged; 21 tonnes waste diverted from landfills) and other CSR initiatives.
• AmazoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Amazon is listed among corporate partners. Likely engaged through CSR skilling, logistics support for relief efforts, or AWS/in-kind technology support.
• Azim Premji Philanthropic InitiativescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives is listed as a foundation partner. Likely provides grant funding to support SIF's education, inclusion, or livelihoods programs.
• The Deverakonda FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017The Deverakonda Foundation co-funded the Middle Class Fund COVID-19 relief effort with SIF — raising ₹1.7 crore and supporting 17,000 families with groceries alongside 8,500+ volunteers. A key philanthropic partner.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017UNICEF is listed as a foundation partner. Engaged in programs related to child safety, health, or inclusion — consistent with UNICEF's India programming priorities.
• Government of Telangana — Department of IndustriesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017The Department of Industries, Government of Telangana, established the Telangana Social Impact Group (T-SIG) as its official CSR cell, with SIF serving as the Project Management Unit from 2018 to 2022. This is SIF's flagship government partnership — a ₹25 crore+ CSR facilitation role involving 40 companies, 300+ companies/NGOs, and 39 government departments.
• Government of Telangana — Department of Employment and TrainingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017SIF partners with the Department of Employment and Training, Government of Telangana on skills and employment programs. SIF has conducted research and impact studies for this department.
• IIIT HyderabadflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017SIF co-founded the Atal Incubation Centre at IIIT Hyderabad — a recognised incubator under the Atal Innovation Mission. SIF operates this centre, which has supported 38 startups. IIIT Hyderabad provides the academic institution setting and legitimacy; SIF provides program design and operational management.
• Nirmaan OrganisationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Nirmaan Organisation, a Hyderabad-based non-profit focused on social entrepreneurship and education, is listed as an ecosystem partner. Nirmaan's founder, Mayur Patnala, has publicly endorsed SIF/T-SIG as an 'ecosystem builder for social impact through CSR in Telangana.'
• Make SoilminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Make Soil is listed as an ecosystem partner. Associated with SIF's climate action work, particularly community soil initiatives and climate changemaker programs.
• Peepal Waste ManagersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Peepal Waste Managers is listed as an ecosystem partner, likely supporting SIF's environmental and waste management programs (e.g., ITC's Wealth Out of Waste initiative).
• MSSSSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017MSSSS is listed as an ecosystem partner. SIF has conducted research and impact studies for MSSSS, indicating an ongoing program or evaluation partnership.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Villgro: India's pioneering social enterprise incubator investing in and supporting early-stage impact ventures; comparable to SIF as an incubation-focused non-profit targeting founders solving social and environmental problems.
• Aavishkaar Group: Indian impact investing and social enterprise support platform spanning capital, incubation, and ecosystem-building — comparable to SIF in combining incubation services with broader ecosystem-convening activity.
• N/Core (NCore Foundation): Indian non-profit accelerator supporting high-impact non-profits with capacity building and capital — comparable to SIF's incubation-style capacity-building model applied to mission-driven organizations.
• Acumen India: Indian arm of impact investor Acumen, combining patient capital with enterprise support for social ventures — directly comparable to SIF's climate and inclusive-entrepreneurship incubation model.
• NASSCOM Foundation: Tech-industry social impact foundation running CSR and digital-inclusion programs with corporate partners — directly comparable to SIF as a non-profit that designs, funds, and delivers CSR programs for tech and enterprise corporates.
• UnLtd India: Indian social enterprise incubator supporting early-stage impact founders with mentorship, funding, and ecosystem access — directly comparable to SIF's incubation model; Surge Impact's CEO Roshan Dsouza was previously Associate Director at UnLtd India.

Broad incumbents

• Infosys Foundation: Large Indian corporate foundation running education, health, and inclusion programs with pan-India reach — comparable as a CSR-driven foundation competing for similar corporate-grant and government-partnership opportunities.
• Tata Trusts: India's largest private philanthropy funding health, education, livelihoods, and inclusion at massive scale; comparable as a multi-vertical Indian non-profit foundation competing for the same CSR and philanthropic capital pool.
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Government of India flagship incubation and innovation program; SIF co-founded the Atal Incubation Centre at IIIT Hyderabad under AIM, making AIM the closest systemic incumbent to SIF's incubator activity.
• CIIE.CO (IIM Ahmedabad): Established Indian startup and social enterprise incubator hosted at IIM Ahmedabad with multi-sector programs and significant institutional backing — comparable as a large, established Indian incubation platform operating alongside SIF's smaller, niche programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surge-impact
• Instagraminstagram.com/surgeimpact
• Xx.com/surgeimpact

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Surge Impact