Impact Startup Academy
How to Build Startups with Purpose and profit
your 5-week guide to building startups that tackle an important societal problem AND are self-sustainable
Cohort 4 launching on february 24
join c4, 2025
trusted by 350+ founders
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your 5-week guide to building startups that tackle an important societal problem AND are self-sustainable
Cohort 4 launching on february 24
trusted by 350+ founders
gaurav singh
varun chawla
₹1490
+ gst
Impact Startup Academy, a cohort based course (cbc), is a collaboration between gaurav singh and build3.
built to bridge the gap between purpose and profit. To help the next generation of entrepreneurs solve important problems in the world with different approaches and business models that ensure financial stability.
Early stage Founders with an Idea
Individuals who have an impact idea but don't know what they need to do to bring it to life and build a startup.
Aspiring Founders looking for an Idea
Individuals who want to build an Impact Startup and want to learn how to find a good idea & build a startup around it.
individuals wanting to join an impact startup
Individuals who want to make a positive difference in the world by being part of an impact startup and are looking for knowledge & community
There’s an ocean of content around startups. We designed the Academy to cut through the noise and deliver clear, actionable lessons to inspire you to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey.
This course is built by founders. People who have actually built successful organisations. Expect high-quality, real-world learnings - nothing else.
A journey with friends over a journey alone :) Through this cohort-based course, expand your network, find like-minded individuals who may become your friends, supporters, customers, co-founders….who knows? :D
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participants who successfully complete the program with attendance above 75% and 100% assignment submissions are directly eligible for a course completion certificate by build3. additionally, build3 is partnered with srishti manipal institute (a constituent of MAHE, Manipal), so if you prefer, and fulfill above eligibility, you may avail a ugc recognised certificate from manipal by paying a small fee to the institute.
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It is possible to make money and make the world a better place. Learn how to make that happen as an impact startup founder.
Impact Startup Academy is an online 5-week cohort-based course. This is what each week will typically look like:
2 live sessions/week
live sessions will be from 6 PM to 8 pm ist on every monday and wednesday. Each session will have a mix of pre-recorded videos that are played live and small group chats with cohort members. We will randomise the small groups so you get to meet different participants in each session.
bonus content
After each session, we will unlock a curated set of bonus resources for those who want to dig deeper. This will be a mix of articles, videos, podcasts & books.
weekly creations
Impact Startup Academy is not just about consuming content but also creating things. Each week you will get to work on something related to your startup idea allowing you to put the learning into action and get feedback from the community.
collaborate with your squad
Through the course, you will be part of a small group of 3-5 people. This small group will collaborate every friday on the weekly creations, exchange feedback, discuss ideas & support each other through the journey.
24x7 access to build3’s circle
Interact with Academy peers, founders, mentors, build3 team on build3’s community platform.
what our participants have to say
" this course gave me invaluable insights into building a startup with a solid structure and framework. It’s a guide I’ll revisit as my idea evolves or when starting fresh. Highly recommended for anyone creating a vision, feeling stuck, or needing clarity to move forward.
" whether you’re a fresh graduate or an experienced professional, this course is like a mini-MBA for building an Impact Startup. Gaurav’s passion and expertise guide you in just six weeks. I highly recommend it for anyone with entrepreneurial zeal!
" If you’re starting out, with or without an idea, or if you’ve begun your journey, this course helps you rethink, unlearn, and gain tools to move forward. It’s a must for anyone looking to strengthen their entrepreneurial path.
" I hesitated before joining but am so grateful I did. Whether you’re building an Impact Startup or any venture, this course helps validate your idea or create one. It provides a solid framework to shape your startup and take it to the next level.
apply what you learn every week and build your startup idea.
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session 1
impact startups - startup sins & stages - starting with you
→ What are Impact Startups?
→ Why Startups Fail and How they succeed?
→ You have to start with YOU.
session 2
everything co-founders - finding good markets
→ Do you need a Co-Founder & if yes, then how to find one?
→ What's the 1 thing most people don't understand about Entrepreneurship?
→ How to find good Markets for your Startup?
session 3
picking your market - understanding it deeply
→ How to pick your Market?
→ Impact Startup Canvas.
→ What's the best way to deeply understand your Market?
→ Two additional ways to understand your Market.
session 4
defining your solution - crafting your unique value proposition (UVP)
→ Solution: How to avoid Sins + Test if our solution is great?
→ How to define main features for our Solution?
→ Everything Unique Value Proposition.
session 5
developing your distribution model
→ Understand your customer's Buying Process.
→ Build your Sales Funnel.
→ 2 Important Sales Funnel Concepts.
session 6
designing your business model
→ Business Model: What, Why, How?
→ Price: What influences it & how to pick yours?
→ How to tell if Your Business Model is Sustainable?
session 7
building your theory of change (TOC) competitive advantage - key metrics
→ Theory of Change.
→ Key Metrics & Dashboard.
→ Competitive Advantage.
session 8
testing & iterating
→ How we will do Iterative Testing?
→ How to Conduct Experiments & Build Prototypes?
→ How to Build Minimum Viable Products(mvps)?
session 9
launching & building — scaling & beyond
→ Everything Product Market Fit (PMF).
→ Financing your Startup.
→ Building your Team & Organization.
session 10
closing — what’s next — celebration
→ Our Journey so far & What’s Next
→ Wrap Up
Designed for those wanting to make the world a kinder, more joyful place
Upon successfully completing the , you will receive a digital certificate from Build3. Additionally, you can obtain a UGC-recognized digital certificate through our partner, the Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology (a constituent of MAHE, Manipal).
inspired 550+ founders — your turn next
*certificate image for illustrative purpose only.
many of us today are unhappy with the world we see around.
we want to make a difference and dream of starting something of our own to do so.
but how?
how can I build something that makes the world a better place 'And' have financial stability while doing so?
we realized there are so many unknowns while figuring out this "and"
→ how to start?
→ how do i come up with a startup idea?
→ how do i find others like me chasing this "AND"?
→ what opportunities are out there for me to explore?
→ are there existing companies I can join, people I can work with?
→ who has done this before and has the lived experience to guide me?
to ease your journey of finding these answers, we built impact startup academy.
“If you have an idea or a problem you want to work on but don't know how or where to start, ISA is for you. The course will help you build your startup as you go through the sessions, you will find a community of like-minded people and excellent resources for your startup journey.”
“The way this course is designed is amazing. I learned so much about myself while doing the My Assets (never thought so deeply about that). and my whole idea for the start-up is now more solid - Working on the canvas brought freshness to the idea and deeper perspectives.”
“I’d highly recommend this course to anyone passionate about making a positive impact through innovation. The most valuable aspects for me were the actionable strategies and real-world case studies that helped me understand the nuances of creating change-driven startups. This course is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage founders, or anyone curious about building sustainable businesses that tackle social issues. If you're looking to bridge the gap between purpose and profitability, this course will guide you through every essential step.”
“This course is a journey that will take you through all the checkpoints you need for your startup, from idea, to purpose, to execution and the customer. It will help you see all the blindspots that you have otherwise ignored or could not see. It will bring clarity to your ideas about your startup and give you a headstart.
This course is definitely helpful for new entrepreneurs but also for experienced entrepreneurs who continuously have a feeling that something is not working and you are not able to identify it.”
"ISA is a great start for anybody wanting to be or know how’s of an an impact startup. All of it starts from within, and that is the most interesting part of this course. The course was structured and conducted with seamlessness, which made note-taking super easy :) So glad to see that there are young minds willing to merge purpose and profit in multiple ways. Kudos to the team for putting up a great show. It was worth being part of it."
"impact startup academy is well structured with activities that effectively frame our impact startup journey.
Though I tend to be a passive learners, I loved connecting with new people and hearing about their ideas,it was truly inspiring.
For me the most challenging part was the timing."
"The Impact Startup Academy program has been invaluable as I build The Mango House, my social impact initiative. The comprehensive curriculum and personalised guidance have given me a much deeper understanding of all the key aspects that must be addressed when starting an impactful business.
The structured approach to developing a theory of change, identifying key metrics, and mapping out competitive advantages has been especially insightful. I now have a clear roadmap for strengthening the core pillars of the organisation - from serving marginalised communities to building a strong brand and sustainable business model.
The program's focus on practical experimentation, prototyping, and MVP development has also been tremendously helpful. I feel much more prepared to validate my ideas, iterate quickly, and build a solid foundation for long-term success.
Overall, the Impact Startup Academy is a must-have program for anyone looking to turn their impact idea into a thriving reality. The content is incredibly relevant and actionable, and the mentorship from experienced social entrepreneurs has been invaluable. I would highly recommend this program to any aspiring impact founder."
"If you're considering Impact Startup Academy, you're in for a transformative experience that combines practical insights with an inspiring vision for making a positive impact through business.
One of the standout features of this course is its balance between theory and hands-on application. The program dives deeply into key areas like social entrepreneurship, sustainable business models, and impactful marketing, making it perfect for anyone serious about building a startup that creates lasting change.
For aspiring social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, or even those working within established organizations who want to bring more purpose to their work, this academy offers tools, networks, and a supportive environment to bring innovative ideas to life.
I found the mentorship opportunities invaluable, as they offered personalized guidance and constructive feedback. It’s more than just a course—it’s a community of like-minded individuals committed to using business as a force for good.
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"If you're considering the Impact Startup Academy, I can't recommend it enough. This course has truly reshaped the way I think about startup ideas by providing a solid, actionable framework that takes you from concept to implementation. It’s not just theory—the program is packed with hands-on learning that applies directly to real-world challenges, making each lesson feel both relevant and immediately useful.
For anyone who’s passionate about making a positive impact through entrepreneurship, this course is ideal. Whether you're a budding founder or already have some experience, the Academy’s approach equips you with practical tools and insights that can accelerate your journey. If you're serious about building a meaningful business with a strong foundation, this course is a game-changer."
"An empowering platform designed to enhance your understanding of the startup ecosystem.
It serves as a dynamic space for founders to connect, collaborate, and sharpen their entrepreneurial acumen.
Whether you're just starting out, navigating the mid-growth phase, or scaling towards maturity, this platform offers valuable insights, meaningful connections, and the tools to thrive in every stage of your journey.
I highly recommend every founder, regardless of their stage, to become a part of this community and unlock their full potential."
Have a look at most frequently asked questions.
