Pathways To Entrepreneurship: A Study Of Entrepreneurial Efforts Of Grassroots Innovators In Mechanical Engineering

• In Event: Global Perspectives on Responsible Innovation: Widening the Gaze II

Abstract

The study examines the outcomes and connections of preferences of the non-formal innovators scouted and supported by the Honey Bee Network (HBN) in India. Using secondary data and case studies from interviews of innovators who identify themselves as frugal innovators, we examine the system building efforts taken by HBN to help innovators diffuse their innovations. We examine the seminal features of innovators, the nature of their innovations, linkages and collaboration with S&T institutions and to what extent were they able to reach their proposed goals disseminating the innovation and knowledge. To trace the pathway taken towards diffusion, we have tried to understand the innovation’s relation to the innovator’s socio-economic backgrounds, triggers and motivations, and characteristics of the product. In doing so, we study the pathway of inception, incubation, and diffusion of their ideas despite having minimal or negligible access to formal education. We found that a significant number of innovators required financial and technical investments to meet entrepreneurial aspirations and were highly likely to diffuse their innovation by sharing openly or by transferring their technology. Even though some innovators chose to venture into enterprise building, the region of diffusion was confined to the area in which they initially innovated. A select few were able to expand their business outside their locality. The Honey Bee Network shows great promise if it utilizes the strategies of collaboration and communal efforts by grassroots innovators to influence the local economy and society.

Keywords: grassroots innovation, social movements, informal economy, inclusive innovation

Author

• Rollins John, Institute for Studies in Industrial Development,