At the heart of every small idea lies the potential for big change. On 20 March 2025, that spirit came alive at the Youth Pitch Fest for Community Enterprises, organised by YUVA and HDFC Bank Parivartan. Held at the HDFC Bank Kanjurmarg office, the event gave a platform to 13 passionate young entrepreneurs from Mumbai’s marginalised communities. Each entrepreneur pitched their business idea, and the top pitches received support to strengthen their budding enterprise.
The participants presented a variety of ideas, from food and beverage services to event management and tuition classes. A panel of five industry experts selected five business proposals for funding and mentorship. Along with their decisions, the panel shared practical feedback with all the participants. Some were advised to focus more on marketing, while others with similar business ideas were encouraged to collaborate and learn from each other. The judges were understanding of the social challenges the young entrepreneurs faced. They recognised the effort behind each idea, encouraged them to aim higher while staying realistic, and offered clear suggestions to help them move forward.
Here’s a quick video capturing the passion, pitches, and purpose that shaped the Youth Pitch Fest:
Here’s a glimpse into the journeys of five selected entrepreneurs—young changemakers now turning their dreams into reality.
1. Anup Bhagat: From Classroom Struggles to Starting His Tuition Classes
Anup’s journey began with academic difficulties and a lack of school support. He comes from a low-income family in Borivali West—his father was a rickshaw driver—and belongs to a marginalised community where access to good education is limited. He was once a quiet student who struggled to keep up and often went unnoticed in class. Things became harder when his father met with an accident, and the family faced financial instability. That period made him realise how education is not easily accessible to everyone. Over time, he worked on his studies and gradually improved his performance. Inspired by his own experiences, he started teaching children, first for free, then professionally.
During the lockdown, he partnered with a coaching class, managing everything except the physical space. Soon, he took a leap of faith and started his small tuition centre in Borivali West, initially with just 20 students; his dedication led to doubling his class size within a year. But challenges remained—his classroom had no sunlight, no washroom, and students sat on the floor, often suffering from neck pain.
With support from HDFC Bank Parivartan and YUVA, Anup is now upgrading his classroom. “Earlier, students sat on the floor; now, I can buy chairs, improve facilities, and even hire subject specialists,” he says.
When asked about his dream, he added, “To give every child the kind of attention and care I once longed for.”
2. Sidra Shaikh – The Home Baker Turning Dreams into Reality
Sidra’s love for baking started at home, learning from her sister and experimenting in their small kitchen. With no formal training, she relied on online videos and basic tools, often baking cakes without an oven. As friends and neighbours started placing orders to her slowly, she began to see the potential for a small business. But with no proper equipment, no oven, no fridge of her own, it was difficult for her to take the next step and grow.
When Sidra heard about the opportunity through YUVA, she decided to apply for the pitch fest. After being selected for funding, she began investing in essential baking equipment and now plans to register on food delivery platforms like Zomato and Swiggy. Her immediate goal is to set up a cloud kitchen, with hopes of eventually renting a shop of her own.“People love my cakes, and now I can finally reach more customers,” she smiles. Her family stands firmly with her, cheering her on as she comes closer to her dreams.
3. Shubham Sohani: Making His Mark in Event Management
After a short corporate stint, Shubham knew the 9-to-5 life wasn’t for him. He always dreamed of running his own event management business. He started small—borrowing equipment from friends, organising local events, and saving as much money as he could. Slowly, he bought chairs, tables, and decorations.
But to grow, he needed more resources. That’s when he found YUVA and the HDFC Parivartan Pitch Fest. “The support came at the right time. It gave me the push I needed,” says Shubham, who lives with his family in Mumbai, where his father is the sole breadwinner.
Today, with funding from HDFC Bank Parivartan, he’s investing in his inventory and expanding services. “It all started with a decoration I did during my sister’s wedding in COVID. She saw it and said, this is what you should do!” That one moment changed so many things!
4. Komal Nerurkar: Serving Healthy and Hygienic Meals!
Komal’s idea for Sai Bhojnalaya was born from personal struggle. After a leg surgery, while being admitted to the hospital, she saw her mother struggle to find clean, affordable food near the hospital. She realised how middle-class and low-income families suffer due to expensive, unhealthy food options, and that experience stayed with her.
She decided to start a bhojnalaya offering nutritious, hygienic meals at prices even lower-income families can afford. But starting a food venture needs capital, and she had none. The funding from HDFC Bank, through YUVA’s initiative, made a change.
Now based in Mankhurd, Komal is finally able to turn her vision into action. “This isn’t just about food. It’s about dignity. I want people—especially the poor and the sick—to feel cared for,” she says. For Komal, this venture is also a step toward her independence. “I want to build something of my own, something that makes me not dependent on others!”
5. Gajanan Tayade: From Apprentice to Mobile Shop Owner
Gajanan had long wanted to open his own mobile repair shop. But with no money or experience, he started by working at his uncle’s shop for free, just to learn the trade. Later, he joined another shop on a salary and gradually picked up both repair and sales skills.
When the pandemic hit, he used his network to serve customers directly. That experience gave him the confidence to go solo. Eventually, he got to know about YUVA’s initiative for community enterprises and decided to apply.
Now, with the support of HDFC Bank Parivartan, Gajanan has finally opened his shop. “This is my dream. I’ve worked hard to get here,” he shares.
Celebrating Resilience and Community Growth
The Youth Pitch Fest for Community Enterprises wasn’t just about funding—it was about supporting young people who are turning challenges into opportunities for themselves and their communities.
Today, we’re thrilled to share that four of our selected entrepreneurs have already taken their first big steps. Their journeys, remind us that change doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built on persistence, small wins, and the courage to keep going.
From classrooms to cloud kitchens, hospital struggles to event stages, each of these entrepreneurs started with nothing but an idea and the determination to see it through.
For many participants, the Pitch Fest day was a chance to share their ideas in a supportive space and gain clarity on their further steps. Some received helpful suggestions to strengthen their business plans, while others found encouragement simply by being heard. The event also helped them see the potential of their ideas beyond their immediate circles and connect with others on similar paths, which could not only shape their futures but also uplift the communities around them.
At YUVA, we remain committed to encouraging and enabling such entrepreneurial energy among youth from underserved communities. Supporting such efforts is essential not only to enable individual aspirations but also to strengthen community-level resilience and economic opportunity.
We’re excited to see how these journeys unfold, and we look forward to many more stories of determination, growth, and impact in the days to come.
