Told to give up science in school, Mallikarjuna Iytha now backs 2,000 entrepreneurs with disabilities

Mallikarjuna Iytha, a National Award-winning entrepreneur and founder of the Inclusive Divyangjan Entrepreneur Association (IDEA), is making a significant impact by backing over 2,000 entrepreneurs with disabilities in India. Despite being advised to drop science in school due to his 88% locomotor disability, Iytha pursued a career in the development sector and went on to lead IDEA.

The organization's mission is to treat persons with disabilities as entrepreneurs and job creators rather than welfare recipients. IDEA provides support across the entrepreneurial journey, from idea development to business growth, and has helped more than 2,000 entrepreneurs with disabilities across India generate about Rs 100 crore in turnover.

Iytha's signature idea, the Divyangjan Hunar Atmanirbhar Network (DHAN), functions as a revolving fund that supports entrepreneurs' businesses and encourages them to contribute back to the system. This model has backed over 1,200 entrepreneurs with disabilities across 10 states through training, mentoring, financial aid, and market access.

Iytha emphasizes that entrepreneurship requires accessible transport, workplaces, buildings, digital systems, and markets, leading to the creation of the Sugamya Delhi Abhiyaan to improve accessibility in public spaces.