12 Feb, 2021 –

After seeing their family members struggle to access quality learning resources during the COVID-19 school shutdown, founders Kevisato Sanyü and Shiroi Shaiza set up the NagaEd in hopes to provide learning and teaching solutions for students, teachers and institutions seeking a digitally enabled educational experience. 

The founders reached out to incubators nationally and internationally, presenting the unique challenges and opportunities found in Nagaland education system and were selected to join the incubation program from Mumbai based social impact fund – Alsisar Impact. 

Alsisar Impact acts as a key catalyst in the impact investing and social enterprise landscape in developing geographies. They foster transparency, accountability and a responsible investing process. To date Alsisar has mobilised over USD$350 million investment for over 600 ventures in over 18 different countries. 

“We are very grateful to join Alisiar’s incubation program. The legal, regulatory, compliance and fundraising support Alsisar is providing is exactly what we need to launch and grow our business.” says founder Kevisato Sanyü, speaking on joining the incubation program. 

Founder Director of Alsisar, Anuj Sharma says, “I came to visit Nagaland in 2017 and was really inspired by Nagas who are forward thinking and naturally innovative. While mainland cities in India get maximum support for startups and businesses, places like Nagaland are easily overlooked. With the right support, local startups have the power to solve the state’s unique challenges and provide more employment.”

According to the Economic Survey 2020-21, India has the world’s third largest entrepreneurial ecosystem with 41,061 govt-recognised startups (as of Dec 2020) of which over 39,000 startups accounted for 4,70,000 jobs. Nagaland continues to contribute a growing number of start-ups to this booming ecosystem with the increasing focus on entrepreneurship in the North-East Region through government and  private equity. At the central level, the Ministry of Development of North-East Region (MDoner) promotes entrepreneurship through various schemes and programs, while the state government announced the Nagaland Start-Up Policy in 2019.

Co-founder of NagaEd, Shiroi Shaiza says, “Working in entrepreneurship and startups for the past 6 years in Nagaland I see a growing number of Naga companies capitalising on the unique opportunities Nagaland has, especially during this recent period of disruption. Local organisations such as Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) provide these startups foundational skills and exposure to local entrepreneurs through business courses like the Basic Entrepreneurship Skills Training (BEST). EA also connects entrepreneurs to national and international incubators that provide startups with training, support and funding.”

Neichute Doulo, CEO of Entrepreneurs Associate says, “The COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown has disrupted economies worldwide and Nagaland’s experience was no less. However, given the low entrepreneurial culture in Nagaland as opposed to government driven salaried economy, very few Startups have boldly taken up the leadership to help the economy get back on its feet. NagaEd is one such innovation. EA is glad to encourage and support such innovations not just for social change but to institutionalize systematic entrepreneurial culture in Nagaland, which is the need of the hour.”

“Entrepreneurs bring a level of buoyancy and optimism into the society. That one can follow their vision, challenge the status quo and achieve success. This buoyancy is needed now more than ever.”, Kevisato added.

“Nagaland is emerging into the global entrepreneurship stage and we need to get ready to take our businesses to the next level. NagaEd is looking to work with entrepreneurs to help grow Nagaland as an investment destination.” Shiroi closed.