From Bharat, For Bharat: How UdyamWell is Empowering Rural Entrepreneurs

When Sachin Korla arrived in a remote tribal village in Odisha as an SBI Youth for India fellow, he didn't expect the experience to reshape his life. A computer science graduate who once dreamed of Silicon Valley, Korla instead found purpose in the quiet resilience of rural India.

"Every village had micro-enterprises, artisans, self-help groups, or farmer producer companies. They were the community's lifeline, yet disconnected from the opportunities urban markets offered," he recalls. By offering basic support—branding, raw materials, and digital tools—he witnessed tangible transformation. What began as local aid soon evolved into a national mission.

That mission became UdyamWell.

Building Bharatpreneurs from the Ground Up

Founded in June 2023 in a village near Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, UdyamWell fuses technology with grassroots engagement. Its name—"Udyam" (enterprise) and "Well" (to thrive)—reflects its goal: to help rural micro-enterprises prosper.

"We coined the term 'Bharatpreneurs' to honour these entrepreneurs' unique resilience. They're not just surviving—they're building sustainable businesses despite structural gaps," says Korla, now Founder and CEO.

UdyamWell’s approach is multifaceted. The startup doesn’t merely list products—it builds brands. It offers a full-stack solution:

• Aspiration mapping: categorising entrepreneurs into "Walk, Run, Fly" tiers.
• Capacity building: via training programs, packaging assistance, legal and branding support.
• E-commerce onboarding: enabling sellers to join ONDC, India’s open digital commerce network through the UdyamWell Seller App. 

From Selfie Points to Seller Apps

The founder’s journey to rural empowerment is deeply personal. During his fellowship, Korla mobilized village youth to form “Tuburuda  taskforce” and with them introduced basic amenities, improved infrastructure , built a community library, and even set up a "selfie point"—a symbol of pride in an often-overlooked village. 

His final day saw every household gather to honour him with music and rituals. "That farewell was the moment I knew I’d build for Bharat, from Bharat."

Later, as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at IIT Mandi and a recipient of multiple government grants, Korla laid the groundwork for UdyamWell. With co-founder and CTO Nitish Kumar and a team of just 13, including on-ground allies called "UdyamSathis", the startup began scaling rapidly.

Closing the Digital Divide with Empathy

India is home to over 63 million MSMEs, with half located in rural areas. Yet most remain excluded from the digital economy. UdyamWell addresses this by combining tech with trust.

"Technology alone isn’t enough. We need the human touch," Korla emphasises. Through partnerships with UPSRLM, UMED,Sattva and CSR programs, UdyamWell conducts offline training sessions to onboard entrepreneurs, while also digitising their operations via a dedicated ONDC seller app.

This dual approach has yielded a significant impact, with over 8,000 entrepreneurs trained and more than 500 micro-enterprises onboarded. UdyamWell has also forged partnerships with state governments and received recognition from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Their vision has extended to global platforms, including Times Square and the 2025 World Youth Festival in Russia.

A Model for Inclusive Growth

Unlike other platforms that white-label rural products, UdyamWell lets entrepreneurs retain their identity. "We don’t negotiate prices down—we elevate their brands," Korla asserts.

Revenue comes from a 5% platform commission and partner packages. While onboarding remains free, value-added services are priced affordably. The startup’s lean model ensures scalability, amplified through word of mouth and government alignment.

Lessons in Persistence and Purpose

UdyamWell's early days weren’t without hurdles. External vendors quoted steep prices for tech development, but Korla’s team built it in-house. Convincing rural entrepreneurs to embrace digital tools took time, patience, and trust.

"Rural challenges require more than apps—they need consistent presence and empathy," he says. That philosophy shaped their UdyamSathi model—community-based liaisons who offer ground-level support.

Looking Ahead: Local Brands, Global Dreams

In the next year, UdyamWell aims to digitise over 10,000 micro-enterprises. Long-term, the goal is to help every district in India build one recognised, community-led brand.

A new co-branding initiative will further support entrepreneurs struggling with formalisation, enabling them to sell under a collective identity while telling their stories.

As for aspiring founders? Korla offers clear advice: "Don’t wait for the perfect idea. Build, iterate, and lead with purpose. Bharat needs more builders—start now."