Who is a SoochnaPreneur?

A SoochnaPreneur is a rural digital social entrepreneur selected and enabled by the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) since 2016. The SoochnaPreneur framework follows a multi-pronged approach to building and strengthening the local digital ecosystem through information service delivery, access to entitlements, digital literacy, digital services, and financial services by setting up micro, nano, and small digital centres.

Under this entrepreneurship model, SoochnaPreneurs are selected from rural as well as semi-rural and semi-urban regions of India to work not only as digital social entrepreneurs (service providers) but also as community change agents (serving the community). Through their centres, SoochnaPreneurs reach and connect with the unconnected – primarily women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

Support Structure

Selected SoochnaPreneurs receive end-to-end support from DEF, including:

  • Digital devices and centre setup support
  • Training in digital literacy and service delivery
  • Entrepreneurship and business development guidance
  • Access to e-governance and digital platforms
  • Continuous mentoring and ecosystem linkages

Selection Process

  1. Online registration through the SoochnaPreneur portal
  2. Application screening and community assessment
  3. Basic digital aptitude and motivation review
  4. Training and orientation by DEF
  5. Deployment as a local digital entrepreneur

SoochnaPreneur Categories

Applicants can enrol under the following categories

Women SoochnaPreneur

Women SoochnaPreneurs are grassroots information agents addressing community digital needs through digitally equipped centres. They bridge the rural–urban digital divide by enabling access to digital literacy, government schemes, and essential online services. Our wider network includes men, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and aspiring entrepreneurs committed to community impact.

Male SoochnaPreneur

Male SoochnaPreneurs are grassroots information agents who cater to the digital needs of their communities through digitally equipped centres. They help bridge the digital divide between urban and rural regions by delivering digital services in areas where people lack access to or awareness of digital literacy and government welfare schemes.

Our diverse network includes men, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and aspiring entrepreneurs who are dedicated to creating a positive impact within their communities.

Samarth SoochnaPreneur (Persons with Disabilities)

Samarth SoochnaPreneurs are persons with disabilities who act as grassroots information agents, catering to the digital needs of their communities through digitally equipped centres. They help bridge the digital divide between urban and rural regions by providing digital services in areas where people lack access to or awareness of digital literacy and government welfare schemes.

SoochnaPreneur Business Mitra (SBM)

A SoochnaPreneur Business Mitra (SBM) is a rural woman entrepreneur who is ready to take on new challenges, embrace risks, expand her skill set, and support her community. These entrepreneurs are trained to become capable digital business development executives who can strengthen and support the RWE ecosystem. She is equipped to address evolving community needs by delivering rural information and digital services as a local service provider.

Digital Didi

A Digital Didi is a digitally empowered grassroots woman leader who promotes menstrual health awareness while enabling digital literacy in her community. She acts as an information guide and change-maker, using digital tools and SmartPad–linked learning to spread awareness, improve hygiene practices, and connect women to knowledge and opportunities. Through her work, she bridges health, information, and livelihood gaps at the last mile.

Digi-Preneur

Digi-Preneurs are digitally empowered grassroots entrepreneurs working across Geographical Indication (GI) clusters to strengthen the digital and economic ecosystem of artisan and craft communities. They focus on supporting GI-tagged products, weavers, and artisans through digital enablement.

Operating through digitally equipped centres, they facilitate digital literacy, e-commerce onboarding, product cataloguing, digital branding, and market linkages. By enabling artisans to access wider markets and digital tools, Digi-Preneurs promote sustainable livelihoods, preserve traditional crafts, and drive rural entrepreneurship.