Deshpande Foundation
The Deshpande Foundation, founded by Jaishree and Gururaj ‘Desh’ Deshpande, has supported sustainable, scalable social and economic impact through innovation and entrepreneurship in the United States, Canada, and India.
Our Approach
There are two types
of societies...
The world has come a long way in addressing the major issues we faced in the past. We have eradicated smallpox, lifted millions out of poverty, and increased life expectancy around the globe. Yet we are still faced with many challenges around the world. Income and wealth disparity have significantly increased in the current century. While two billion of the world’s population enjoy a middle class or better existence with adequate resources and disposable income to cover their needs, over 5 billion have scant livelihoods and are still struggling to meet the many daily challenges. Despite its economic success, the US, like India, has pockets of underserved populations that are still struggling to achieve the American dream. Addressing the challenges of these two different segments require distinctly different approaches.
There are two types
of societies...
The world has come a long way in addressing the major issues we faced in the past. We have eradicated smallpox, lifted millions out of poverty, and increased life expectancy around the globe. Yet we are still faced with many challenges around the world. Income and wealth disparity has significantly increased in the current century. While two billion of the world’s population enjoy a middle class or better existence with adequate resources and disposable income to cover their needs, over 5 billion have scant livelihoods and are still struggling to meet the many daily challenges. Despite its economic success, the US, like India, has pockets of underserved populations that are still struggling to achieve the American dream. Addressing the challenges of these two different segments require distinctly different approaches.
For people with
disposable income...
To address the opportunities for people with disposable income, one needs to lead with innovation, identify unique ideas, approaches and products and ensure that they will satisfy their needs. However, new technologies and products by themselves are not adequate unless it includes a deep understanding of the customer, the domain and its context. The solutions need to be uniquely innovative in highly competitive markets. The Deshpande Foundation approach for this segment brings together deep innovation with understanding the relevance of the idea for the intended audience to create economic or social impact.
For people with
disposable income...
To address the opportunities for people with disposable income, one needs to lead with innovation, identify unique ideas, approaches, and products and ensure that they will satisfy their needs. However, new technologies and products by themselves are not adequate unless it includes a deep understanding of the customer, the domain and its context. The solutions need to be uniquely innovative in highly competitive markets. The Deshpande Foundation approach for this segment brings together deep innovation with understanding the relevance of the idea for the intended audience to create economic or social impact.
For people with
low disposable income...
On the other hand, in communities with low disposable income, it is more important to have a deep understanding of the social issue and the community needs. Building community trust and understanding will lead to the appropriate solutions and required innovation. While solutions might not be unique, implementation is key. Here the Deshpande Foundation approach is to first develop an appreciation of the issue and the community and only then introduce appropriate innovation to create socially impactful solutions.
For people with
low disposable income...
On the other hand, in communities with low disposable income, it is more important to have a deep understanding of the social issue and the community needs. Building community trust and understanding will lead to the appropriate solutions and required innovation. While solutions might not be unique, implementation is key. Here the Deshpande Foundation approach is to first develop an appreciation of the issue and the community and only then introduce appropriate innovation to create socially impactful solutions.
Our Principles
- Cocreation - Work with the people to create solutions
- Contextual – Respond to local conditions and needs
- Community Supported – Look for enthusiastic support as proof of value
- Capacity Building – Strengthen beneficiaries to absorb and sustain solutions
- Collaborative – Partner and learn from best in class
- Cost Effective – Aim to control costs and scale
Our Principles
- Co-creation - Work with the people to create solutions
- Contextual – Respond to local conditions and needs
- Community Supported – Look for enthusiastic support as proof of value
- Capacity Building – Strengthen beneficiaries to absorb and sustain solutions
- Collaborative – Partner and learn from best in class
- Cost-Effective – Aim to control costs and scale
Our Leadership Team
Gururaj Desh Deshpande
DESHPANDE FOUNDATION
PRESIDENT & CHAIRMAN,
SPARTA GROUP LLC
Jaishree Deshpande
DESHPANDE FOUNDATION
Paul Grogan
The Boston Foundation
Kate Guedj
The Boston Foundation
Sushil Vachani
IIM Bangalore &
Former Professor,
Boston UniversitY
Hemang Dave
Serge Bhachu
Sparta Group LLC.
David Parker
EforAlL
Leon Sandler
MIT Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation
Karina LeBlanc
Pond Deshpande Center, University of New Brunswick
Greg Bavington
Dunin Deshpande Queens Innovation Center, Queens University
Anand Bariya
Deshpande Foundation India
R. Raghuttama Rao
Gopalakrishnan-Deshpande Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship,
IIT Madras
Rupal Dandia
Infrastructure
Deshpande Foundation India, Headquarters
Deshpande Startups
Deshpande Education Trust Campus
Deshpande Foundation India, Headquarters
Deshpande Startups
Deshpande Skilling Campus
Deshpande Foundation at a glance
