New Delhi: The Circle India has opened applications for the 5th Cohort of The Circle Incubation, an 18-month programme designed to support entrepreneurs building new schools or after-school learning models for children from low-income communities across India.
The programme is aimed at individuals who aspire to start and run education institutions that respond to the unique learning needs of their communities. Through structured guidance, mentorship, and operational support, the incubation programme helps participants develop their ideas and launch sustainable education models.
Participants in the programme receive support across key areas of institution building, including programme design, leadership development, governance and compliance, talent development, and fundraising strategy. The incubation also provides access to experienced mentors and a collaborative peer network that supports founders throughout the process of designing and launching their schools or learning centres.
Since its inception, The Circle India has supported 40 education models across the country, with initiatives emerging from regions such as Ladakh, Manipur, Gujarat, and Telangana. Collectively, these initiatives have reached over 8,000 children, helping expand access to quality education in underserved communities.
Speaking about the programme, Sandeep Rai, Founder of The Circle India, said,
“Across the country, there are individuals who deeply understand the learning needs of their communities and are ready to build new education models. Through The Circle Incubation, we aim to support such founders with the guidance, resources, and community required to design and launch schools or after-school programmes that can serve children in meaningful ways.”
Reflecting on the impact of the programme, Pahulmeet Singh, Founder of GHK Lab School and a Circle Partner from Gurdaspur, shared his experience: “The Circle taught me step by step how to launch our school. They became our co-pilot and surrounded us with 360-degree support, and now they are equipping us to run it. The result has been transformational. Children and communities across Gurdaspur are learning and growing. Families from different districts are now demanding similar schools, and even families from other countries are reverse migrating. Our work, as a result, is spreading across Punjab.”
After launching their schools or after-school models, founders become part of The Circle Network as Circle Partners. The network provides continued access to mentorship, collaboration opportunities, and long-term institutional support. The initiative seeks entrepreneurs who are committed to driving systemic change in education and building models that not only transform students’ lives but also uplift the communities around them, helping families move out of poverty and lead fulfilling, self-directed lives.
Applications for the 5th Cohort of The Circle Incubation are now open. Entrepreneurs interested in building a new school or after-school learning model can apply online.
