There was something special about beginning Co-LIFE Pilot 2 in Jaipur.
As students, mentors, and coaches from across India and Europe came together in the Pink City, Pilot 2 was rooted in shared curiosity, fresh perspectives, and a collective eagerness to learn.
A space for diversity of experience and opinion
From the very first day, Jaipur became more than just a host city. It set the backdrop for meaningful conversations, immersive sessions, and discussions that pushed participants to think deeply about social, cultural, and economic contexts.
Every day, students brought their lived experiences into the room, questioned assumptions, and discovered new ways of understanding impact-focused entrepreneurship. The diversity of voices made these exchanges especially rich, turning every discussion into a passionate sharing of ideas and stories.
Visiting the impact-focused enterprises
One of the most defining highlights of the week was the visits to the Impact-Focused Enterprises (IFEs) that form the backbone of Pilot 2. The 4 enterprises that are a part of this year’s Pilot are:
1. Jaipur Rugs
This is one of India’s leading hand-knotted rug manufacturers, known for
empowering over 40,000 artisans across 600 villages. The company addresses socioeconomic challenges like poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment by connecting rural
weavers to global markets. Despite its success, Jaipur Rugs faces challenges in scaling
sustainably while preserving its core values of inclusivity, fair wages, and artisan welfare
They specialise in blue pottery, a traditional craft of Jaipur that faces challenges in preserving its artisanal techniques in the face of modernization. The company also seeks to balance craft preservation with scaling up to meet modern market demands. Key issues include artisan retention, market competition, and maintaining environmental sustainability in the production process.
3. Jaipur Bloc
As part of the Jaipur TEXCRAFT Park, this organisation addresses several key challenges in the context of the Indian handicraft sector, particularly around preserving traditional craftsmanship and integrating sustainable practices. The craft industry faces issues such as market fragmentation, inconsistent demand, competition from machine-made products, and a lack of resources to scale up production while maintaining authenticity. Moreover, artisans often struggle with limited access to modern technology, marketing networks, and financial support.
4. Kalpana Handmade Paper Industry
Kalpana Handmade Papers operates in Sanganer, Jaipur, where they have been reviving 500-year-old papermaking traditions. Founded by Ram Prasad Saini, the company recycles agricultural waste into paper, empowering local artisans while producing over 400 types of paper. The challenges in this context include maintaining sustainability, balancing tradition with innovation, and expanding into global markets
Each student group spent dedicated time with their case owners—walking through workshops and offices, observing operations firsthand, and engaging in honest conversations about business challenges, long-term vision, and opportunities for change. These interactions went beyond surface-level understanding. Students discussed problem statements, unpacked business strategies, assessed operational realities, and began forming their own independent evaluations of how impact and sustainability play out in practice.
This direct exposure helped ground the coursework in reality. Seeing enterprises up close allowed students to connect theory with practice, and to appreciate the complexity of building businesses that balance social impact, economic viability, and cultural context.
Ready for what’s next in Pilot 2
By the end of the week, a quiet confidence had settled across the groups. Teams felt aligned, roles began to take shape, and students grew more assured about the perspectives they brought to the table. Most importantly, there was a shared sense of readiness.
Week 1 in Jaipur was not just a starting point.
It laid the foundation for collaboration, trust, and learning that will carry Co-LIFE Pilot 2 forward, long after the city’s colours and conversations linger in memory.
