- The Social Innovation vertical drives Nasscom Foundation s mission to foster technology-led solutions for social impact, focusing on youth entrepreneurship, startup incubation, and innovation acceleration.
- Through programs like Social Innovation for Youth, we partner with universities, startups, corporates, and government agencies to nurture ideas, build scalable tech solutions, and drive inclusive growth across India.
- The Head Social Innovation Technology for Good will lead the Foundation s Social Innovation vertical, shaping its strategy, partnerships, and programs to strengthen the Tech for Good ecosystem.
- The role combines strategic leadership, startup acceleration, and technology enablement, with a focus on designing and delivering scalable social innovation initiatives in areas such as EdTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech, and Livelihoods.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership Program Development
Lead the Social Innovation vertical and define its long-term strategy and outcomes.
Design and execute national-level innovation programs nurturing youth-led and startup-led tech solutions.
Conceptualize and manage incubators, accelerators, and virtual makerspaces to foster innovation.
Identify and integrate emerging technologies (AI, IoT, Cloud, Data, etc) into social impact solutions.
2. Ecosystem Building Partnerships
Build strong collaborations with government agencies, corporates, academia, investors, and multilateral organizations.
Develop partnership frameworks, proposals, and funding models to ensure program scale and sustainability.
Represent Nasscom Foundation at key innovation forums, policy roundtables, and ecosystem convenings.
3. Startup Acceleration Mentorship
Mentor startups and innovators in refining their business models, developing MVPs, and accessing funding and incubation.
Oversee the selection, seed funding, and scaling support for high-potential ventures.
Strengthen linkages between startups, mentors, investors, and technology partners.
4. Technology Enablement Innovation
Oversee technology platforms and digital tools supporting innovation programs.
Ensure strong vendor management, product development oversight, and integration of technology solutions.
Provide thought leadership on the role of technology in driving social change.
5. Monitoring, Evaluation Impact
Implement robust frameworks for impact measurement and learning.
Track outcomes against program KPIs and contribute to storytelling and impact communication.
Skill Experience
- 12 to 15 years of progressive experience in technology-led social innovation, startup acceleration, or ecosystem development.
- Proven experience leading multi-stakeholder innovation programs at the intersection of technology, CSR, and development.
- Strong understanding of emerging technologies, startup ecosystems, CSR funding, and public-private collaborations.
- Certification or fellowship in Social Innovation, Systems Thinking, or Design Thinking is desirable.
- Prior experience in the Tech for Good or social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Personal Attributes
- Maker and innovator mindset; passionate about leveraging technology for inclusion.
- Strategic thinker with high empathy and integrity.
- Excellent communication, partnership-building, and team leadership skills.
- Adaptive, self-driven, and comfortable working in dynamic, cross-functional environments.