Asian Centre for Economic & Entrepreneurship Development & Education

What Asian Centre for Economic & Entrepreneurship Development & Education does

ACEEDE (Asian Centre for Economic & Entrepreneurship Development & Education) is a non-profit educational institution founded on April 25, 2018, in Mumbai, India, and operating as the education and research arm of India SME Forum. Its mission is to build entrepreneurial capacity for MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, startups, and second-generation family business leaders through three integrated initiatives: Research (12+ published papers on MSME policy, IP, financing, and entrepreneurship ecosystems); Capacity Building & Training (a catalog of ~70 online courses including Start-Up Essentials, the Certificate in Export Import and International Trade Operations priced at Rs 5,000+GST, the Business Leadership Program co-certified with IIM Sambalpur at Rs 45,000, and the NCW-ISF Digital Literacy program); and Incubation (CETIBA — a Model Technology Business Incubator at NITIE Mumbai under the Ministry of MSME scheme, offering up to 3 years of mentoring, seed funding, and infrastructure). State-level programs include SAATH (with JKRLM, targeting 35,000 rural women's jobs in J&K), Hausla (with JKLTPO), and the UPS-co-powered Women Exporters Program 2023.

Underlying technology is a proprietary Learning Management System at learning.aceede.in supporting self-paced and live interactive online instruction, enrollment, instructor publishing, and recorded lectures. Programs are delivered through three go-to-market motions: a self-serve direct-to-consumer LMS for individual courses; a government-program channel for state-sponsored cohorts (SAATH, Hausla, NCW-ISF); and a selective/partnered executive channel via IIM Sambalpur for the Business Leadership Program. Distribution is supported by offices in Mumbai (HQ) and New Delhi, partnerships with NIMSME, EBTC, SheTrades (ITC), and the National Institute of Industrial Engineering, and an earned-media footprint across Times of India, Logistics Insider, CXO Today, and India Education Diary.

Revenue mechanics combine one-time course fees (Rs 5,000 to Rs 45,000, with optional instalments and refundable application fees for selective programs) with what are likely government grants/contracts for state-level cohorts; some programs (free courses, SAATH, Hausla, NCW-ISF Digital Literacy) are offered at no cost to beneficiaries. Cumulative reach includes 1,800+ students trained, 700+ certified teachers, and a parent-network claim of 330,000 MSMEs surveyed across 29 states under India SME Forum. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and no external funding rounds have been raised.

Name

Asian Centre for Economic & Entrepreneurship Development & Education

Legal name

Asian Centre for Economic & Entrepreneurship Development & Education

Website

https://aceede.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ACEEDE is a non-profit education and research initiative of India SME Forum that delivers entrepreneurship training, MSME policy research, and technology incubation (via CETIBA) to SMEs, women entrepreneurs, and CXOs in India through its LMS, government program partnerships, and an IIM Sambalpur-co-certified executive program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Education and Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs (EDAMAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Marketing, Branding & Sales Skills (EDAMAHAG)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship education
• MSME training
• Business incubation
• Women entrepreneurship
• Export readiness

Headquarters

HQ city

Andheri

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: ACEEDE generates revenue through paid educational courses and programs offered on its LMS platform. Fees vary by program — from Rs 5,000 + GST for the Certificate in Export Import and International Trade Operations to Rs 45,000 for the Business Leadership Program (with 3-instalment option). Application and assessment fees are also charged for selective programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ACEEDE delivers entrepreneurship education, training, and incubation services to MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, startups, and existing business owners through online courses on its proprietary LMS platform, executive certification programs with IIM Sambalpur, government-sponsored state programs (SAATH, Hausla, NCW-ISF), and a Model Technology Business Incubator (CETIBA). Offerings span export-import training, startup essentials, business leadership, and incubation support with mentoring and seed funding access, sold as paid course fees ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 45,000 or delivered as government-sponsored free programs.

Product overview

ACEEDE operates as an educational and incubation platform offering a portfolio of training programs, online certification courses, and incubation services focused on entrepreneurship development. The core offerings include the CETIBA (Centre for Entrepreneurship, Technology Incubation & Business Acceleration) incubator for startups, state-specific programs like SAATH (rural women empowerment) and Hausla (women entrepreneurs in J&K), and online courses including Start-Up Essentials (12-module, 4-week program), the Leadership & Intrapreneurship Fellowship for Enterprises (LIFE/Business Leadership Program with IIM Sambalpur), and Certificate in Export Import and International Trade Operations. These products are delivered through an LMS platform and are designed for entrepreneurs, startups, and SME owners seeking skills development and business acceleration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CETIBA (Centre for Entrepreneurship, Technology Incubation & Business Acceleration) Business incubation initiative promoting and supporting budding entrepreneurs and start-ups across agritech, agro-processing, renewable energy, healthcare technology, industrial manufacturing, infrastructure, and security sectors; provides incubation of innovative ideas, mentoring, seed funding, infrastructure support, and commercialization pathways with up to 3 years of active incubation support.
• SAATH: Rural Enterprise Acceleration Program Flagship rural enterprise acceleration program run with Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) that focuses on creating jobs and empowering rural women in J&K with training, mentoring, and capacity building.
• Hausla: Inspiring Her Growth Comprehensive programme for catalyzing women entrepreneurship in Jammu & Kashmir, offering enrollment of women entrepreneurs and financial assistance provisions through partnership with Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKLTPO).
• Women Exporters Program Program designed to empower women-led businesses in international trade and sustainability, providing logistics expertise and international market access support to enable women entrepreneurs to boost exports.
• Start-Up Essentials 12-module online program guiding participants to formulate and transform entrepreneurial ideas into new start-up ventures, conducted on the LMS platform over 4 weeks with 12 hours of online instruction and 4 live mentor sessions; materials accessible for up to 12 weeks. Priced at Rs 8,000 + GST.
• Leadership & Intrapreneurship Fellowship for Enterprises (LIFE) / Business Leadership Program (BLP) 9-week immersive leadership initiative offered in association with IIM Sambalpur, designed for existing entrepreneurs, CXOs, and second-generation family business participants, delivering disruptive thinking, proactive decision-making, and visionary abilities with digital aptitude. Priced at Rs 45,000 (or Rs 15,300 x 3 instalments) with a refundable Rs 4,500 application fee.
• Certificate in Export Import and International Trade Operations (LEAP) 11-module course covering export-import organization setup, shipping, logistics, documentation, government incentives, risk management, and international trade finance, conducted online over 2 weeks with 8 hours of live interactive instruction on ACEEDE's LMS. Priced at Rs 5,000 + GST.
• Business Readiness for Pre-Internationalisation Course preparing businesses for entering international markets.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,800+ students trained across programs
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers11 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UPScoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 September 2023UPS partnered with India SME Forum to boost exports for women-led businesses through the Women Exporters Program 2023. The program aimed to empower women entrepreneurs in global trade and sustainability, providing logistics expertise and international market access support. Multiple press releases (Logistics Insider, Global Atlanta, CXO Today, Digital Terminal) covered this collaboration.
• IIM SambalpurcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2021IIM Sambalpur signed an MOU with India SME Forum for nurturing future entrepreneurs of India. The partnership delivers the Business Leadership Program (LIFE/BLP) — a 9-week immersive online leadership program for entrepreneurs and CXOs — with dual certification from IIM Sambalpur and ACEEDE. IIM Sambalpur provides academic rigor and faculty while ACEEDE contributes the India SME Forum mentor network and industry interface.
• Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2021JKRLM partnered with India SME Forum for the SAATH (Rural Enterprise Acceleration Program) — a flagship initiative targeting rural women entrepreneurs in Jammu & Kashmir with the goal of creating 35,000 jobs. ACEEDE/ISF provides training, mentoring, and capacity building under this program.
• Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKLTPO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2021JKLTPO partnered with India SME Forum for the Hausla: Inspiring Her Growth initiative — a comprehensive program for catalyzing women entrepreneurship in J&K. The Lt. Governor of J&K launched Hausla on June 30, 2021, with enrollment of women entrepreneurs and financial assistance provisions.
• National Commission for Women (NCW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2021NCW partnered with India SME Forum for the NCW-ISF program — a digital literacy course targeting 5,000 aspiring women entrepreneurs. The program aimed to empower women with digital skills and entrepreneurship capabilities, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• CETIBA (Centre for Entrepreneurship, Technology Incubation & Business Acceleration, Mumbai)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCETIBA is a Model Technology Business Incubator established by India SME Forum with support from the Office of Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME. Located at National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Mumbai, it provides incubation, mentoring, seed funding, and infrastructure to innovative startups across sectors including agritech, healthcare, renewable energy, and defense. Ventures receive up to 3 years of active incubation support.
• National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), MumbaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia SME Forum has an incubation centre in Mumbai with National Institute of Industrial Engineering. NITIE hosts the CETIBA incubator on its campus and provides infrastructure and academic linkage for technology startups.
• Office of Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSMEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCETIBA operates under the Support for Entrepreneurial & Managerial Development of MSMEs through Incubators scheme, funded and supported by the Office of Development Commissioner, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India.
• India SME ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACEEDE is an integral part of India SME Forum — described as 'an India SME Forum Initiative.' ACEEDE is the educational and research arm of the forum, which is India's largest non-profit initiative for MSMEs. The forum provides the network, funding, partnerships, and scale (330,000+ MSMEs surveyed) that underpins ACEEDE's programs.
• NIMSME (National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIMSME logo appears on the ACEEDE partners page. NIMSME is a national-level institution under the Ministry of MSME focused on SME development, training, and research.
• EBTC (EU Business Technology Cooperation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEBTC logo appears on the ACEEDE partners page. EBTC facilitates technology and business cooperation between European and Indian companies.
• SheTrades (ITC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSheTrades is an ITC Limited initiative that ACEEDE partners with for the SheTrades and UPS Project in India — Empowering Women Entrepreneurs. This initiative connects women entrepreneurs to international markets through trade facilitation and capacity building.
• Women's Entrepreneurship Forum (WEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Women's Entrepreneurship Forum (WEF) partners page logo appears alongside ACEEDE's programs including Hausla, SAATH, Women Exporters Program, NCW-ISF, and SheTrades. WEF is the dedicated women entrepreneurship vertical of the India SME Forum ecosystem.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• NASSCOM Foundation: Non-profit arm of NASSCOM running technology-led skilling, women entrepreneurship (Women Wizards Rules Tech), and digital literacy programs. Comparable in operating large-scale donor- and corporate-funded programs targeting underserved entrepreneurs.
• UpGrad: India-based edtech company offering online degree, diploma, and certification programs in management, technology, and entrepreneurship with university partnerships. Comparable as an online certificate business model targeting working professionals and business owners.
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) / NITI Aayog: Government of India flagship initiative promoting innovation and entrepreneurship through Atal Tinkering Labs, Atal Incubation Centres, and entrepreneurship programs. Overlaps with ACEEDE in startup incubation and entrepreneurship capacity building.
• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): Public-private partnership under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship overseeing large-scale skilling programs across India. Comparable as a national-level capacity-building platform, though broader than ACEEDE's entrepreneurship focus.
• Great Learning: India edtech provider of professional and management development programs (PGP, certificates) with university affiliations. Comparable in selling premium professional certification programs to working professionals and CXOs via digital delivery.
• National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC): Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of MSME providing training, incubation, financing, and marketing support to MSMEs. Comparable target audience and government-affiliated mandate, but with broader scope including credit and procurement.

Direct peers

• Wadhwani Foundation: India-based non-profit operating large-scale entrepreneurship and skills programs (Wadhwani Advantage, Wadhwani Liftoff) targeting MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, and startups. Directly comparable in mission, beneficiary segments, and program-led funding model.
• TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs): Global non-profit fostering entrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, and educational events across India chapters. Comparable in offering entrepreneurship development programs and incubation-style support to founders and SMEs.
• NIMSME (National Institute for MSME): National-level institution under the Ministry of MSME focused on SME development, training, and research. Directly comparable as an MSME capacity-building and training organization; NIMSME is already listed as an ACEEDE partner.

Emerging players

• SheTrades (ITC Limited): ITC Limited initiative connecting women entrepreneurs to international markets through trade facilitation and capacity building. Comparable focus on women exporters; ACEEDE partners with SheTrades for the India program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aceedeonline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aceede

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Asian Centre for Economic & Entrepreneurship Development & Education