| Name of the beneficiary | Prithibhusan Deka |
| Project/Programme Name | PGDMN 2001-2002 |
| Name of the enterprise floated | Founder of Gramya Vikash Mancha (A registered non-profit organization) Pragjyotish Sanchay Aru Rindan Somabai Sommittee Limited (A registered thrift and credit cooperative society)Shoishav Vidyapeeth (School) Barhampur Krishi satra (An agricultural farm) |
| Initial Investment | 1500/- only |
| Employment Generated | Currently working 227 staff |
| Present Turnover | Approximately 30 Cr |
| Funds Raised, if any | Approximately 100 Cr during last 25 years |
| Awards Rec’d | Special Jury Award for Emerging Entrepreneur, 2024Received award for distinguish Social work (North East) from Marowary Yuva Mancha, North EastDistinguish Social Worker Award by Rotary Club, South GuwahatiDinBandhobi Suchibrata Raichoushury Samaj Sewa Award Ambikagiri Smarak Nyash Guwahati Assam |
Mr. Satyavir Chakrapani
Founder
Shikhar Group Ventures
PGDM, 2001
EDII President’s Alumnus Award 2025 – Social Entrepreneur
Satyavir Chakrapani, hails from a family of freedom fighters in Uttar Pradesh. He grew up surrounded by stories of courage, discipline and service. His father, an engineer who later dedicated his life to building schools in rural areas, shaped Satyavir’s belief that giving back to society is our biggest duty.
After completing his Master’s in History and LLB from Kanpur University, Satyavir began working in the development sector, engaging with the realities of India’s poor farmers, daily-wage earners and marginalized communities. During a mid-career sabbatical to strengthen his knowledge base, Satyavir joined the NGO Management Programme at EDII on a 100% NABARD scholarship. Satyavir recognized how to look beyond planning and execution of initiatives. He realized how planning had to be embedded in an entrepreneurial approach. He learnt at EDII and translated his learning into Shikhar Group Ventures, launched to address different aspects of the ‘bottom of the pyramid’.
The journey was challenging on multiple fronts but Satyavir remained committed to his belief. Today, Shikhar Group is a flourishing entity with 600 employees across its multiple ventures, including microfinance and MSME finance, skilling and incubation, entrepreneurship development, veterinary services, technology innovation and destitute care, each contributing to transforming lives across rural and urban India. Shikhar Group operates in 54 districts across North India, managing a portfolio exceeding Rs. 200 crore and having disbursed over Rs. 800 crore in microfinance services. The Group has strategic partnerships with Avanti Finance, Federal Bank, Evangelical Social Action Forum Small Finance Bank (ESAF SFB) and others have provided a credit of over Rs.1000 crore, extending responsible finance to thousands of underserved entrepreneurs.
Shikhar Microfinance Pvt. Ltd. (SMPL), which has been providing microcredit and financial inclusion to urban and rural entrepreneurs, has been operating on a cashless model since 2015. Hearteningly, Shikhar Urban & Rural Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. (SURE) facilitates enterprise development and skill-building through credit, mentorship and financial literacy. Extending his mission of touching lives, Satyavir founded OneThe416 Technologies Pvt. Ltd. in 2020 as an innovation arm of SURE. The company merges engineering excellence with social purpose. Operating across defense software (Exinosis), on-demand urban services (SAKHI) and livelihood platforms (TURAHEE), it bridges national technology ecosystems with local livelihoods. It serves both government and private clients, across ventures. Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Satyavir serves on global task forces and international boards.