Mumbai's Dolphin Tanki Empowers Young Entrepreneurs with ₹12 Lakh Seed Funding

Underprivileged students and young entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas at Dolphin Tanki, a recent event in Mumbai. Organised by the Salaam Bombay Foundation (SBF), the initiative gave 30 participants aged 16 to 20 a chance to secure seed funding. A total of ₹12 lakh was made available through CSR funds to support their ventures.

The participants were chosen from over 100 students trained by SBF. The foundation offers around 40 courses at the school level, with advanced training led by NMIMS professors and industry experts. At the event, each entrepreneur presented a pitch deck, competing for financial support ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000.

Among them was Riya Saroj, a young woman from a modest background who has already earned ₹30,000 through her makeup business. Her main challenge is the lack of professional equipment and high-quality products, which she hopes to overcome with the funding. The event also provided a platform for participants to connect with established philanthropists willing to back their ideas. So far, over 100 SBF-trained students have launched their own businesses. Many continue to grow their ventures while balancing their education. The entrepreneurs represented nine different sectors, sharing their skills and personal success stories with the audience.

The Dolphin Tanki event highlighted the potential of young entrepreneurs from underprivileged backgrounds. With ₹12 lakh allocated for seed funding, selected participants will now receive the resources needed to expand their businesses. The initiative continues to support students in turning their ideas into sustainable ventures.