About &
Methodology
A first-of-its-kind report on the financing needs of India’s artisan economy
Financing a Handmade Revolution (Business of Handmade 2nd Edition), a pioneering research, studies the opportunities and challenges in investing in India’s creative manufacturing and handmade sector and the role of catalytic capital in supporting the same.
72
Hours of conversations
With investors, ecosystem actors and craft-led enterprises from India, Europe, and Asia.
1K
Enterprises were shortlisted to participate in a 35-minute online survey
Social enterprises, online marketplaces, high-end luxury brands, digital-first couturiers, material innovators, tech disruptors — were all included.
516
Enterprises from across India completed the survey
Giving us their valuable inputs, which informed our findings + recommendations.
We want to thank all of you who patiently persevered as we asked you detailed questions about how and where you invested money, whom you chose to approach, when, and why.
After crunching a lot of numbers and sifting through mountains of data, we finally have our answers. We’ll admit, it’s a lot to take in but it has revealed more than we ever expected.
And most importantly, it gives us a starting point; helps us showcase the economic + social potential of these small — but powerful — artisan enterprises, and the role catalytic capital can play in getting them investment-ready.
But enough talk. See for yourself in the Financing a Handmade Revolution report.
Project led by:
This research was initiated and authored by 200 Million Artisans, an impact-first, ecosystem enabler supporting India's craft-led enterprises to become global powerhouses of inclusive and green production. We bridge gaps in knowledge, business support, and innovative financing via collaborative projects and platforms with the goal to catalyse sustainable solutions that are good for the planet and its diverse communities.
With support from:
The Catalytic Capital Consortium (C3), an investment, learning, and market development initiative working to increase the knowledge, awareness and use of catalytic capital. The C3 Strategic Partners — The Rockefeller Foundation, Omidyar Network, and the MacArthur Foundation — are supporting field-building work through the C3 Grantmaking Program to build a strong evidence base about the value of catalytic capital and equip investors with the data, knowledge and insight needed to drive deep and sustainable impact. C3 Grantmaking supported 14 research projects across the world to help build the evidence base around the uses of catalytic capital. 200 Million Artisans was selected to study, document and make recommendations for the role of catalytic capital in India’s artisan sector, with a specific focus on how it applies to craft-based micro, small and medium-sized businesses.
Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) is an ecosystem support organisation whose mission is to catalyse an India-wide movement of entrepreneurship and favourable conditions for the growth of both existing and new enterprises, resulting in 50 million new jobs by 2030.
Berylitics is a boutique insights organisation that studies people, businesses and brands through the lens of culture and actual lived experiences.
The Social Investment Consultancy is a global social impact and impact investing advisory firm, working across Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa.