Kaun Banega Business Leader (KBBL) is an innovative campaign designed to identify and nurture entrepreneurial talent in rural India. The initiative provides a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to share their business ideas, access mentorship and capacity building, and move closer to establishing sustainable enterprises that contribute to both livelihoods and community development. .

In September and October 2025, 6 KBBL campaigns were successfully launched across four district of Uttar Pradesh - Bahraich, Mirzapur, Lakhimpur Kheri and Jhansi, receiving an overwhelming response from the ground. Over 8,000 participants came forward with enthusiasm and confidence to share their entrepreneurial aspirations. Notably, these KBBL campaigns were specifically focused on women-led entrepreneurship, reflecting a strong commitment to promoting inclusive and gender-responsive enterprise development. .

A key highlight of these campaigns was the active involvement of Cluster Level Federation (CLF) cadres and leaders. They played an instrumental role in mobilising women from their communities, guiding them through the idea submission process, and supporting them in completing KBBL registration forms. This strong grassroots participation created a deep sense of ownership and collective momentum for the initiative. .

The KBBL campaign was designed through a systems-thinking approach, with ecosystem mapping that defined the role of each stakeholder. From CLF cadres, Shakti Samuday leaders, kiosks, training institutes, financial institutions, and technology providers to the entrepreneurs themselves - each stakeholder contributes to building a nurturing ecosystem. Together, they facilitate awareness, skill-building, idea mobilisation, and access to enterprise support services, ensuring that aspiring entrepreneurs are well-equipped to take the next steps in their journeys. .

The launch events saw a diverse range of business ideas emerge, including pathology labs, paper-making units, e-rickshaw services, vermicompost units, flour mills, masala manufacturing, LED bulb assembly, and local service kiosks. These ideas not only reflect the creativity and problem-solving abilities of rural entrepreneurs but also their capacity to design locally relevant solutions that address real community needs. .

Importantly, KBBL seeks to promote non-traditional, high-growth, and clean-tech enterprises, with a focus on fostering innovation, sustainability, and social impact. Through this campaign, over 8,000 individuals from multiple CLFs have already submitted their business ideas, and the process of collecting new ideas and building a pipeline of potential entrepreneurs continues to grow. The campaign has become a rallying point for communities to come together around the shared vision of entrepreneurship-led local development. .

The journey, however, extends beyond idea collection. Once shortlisted, selected participants will undergo Business Plan Development Workshops to refine their ideas into viable business models. The most promising and impactful enterprises will then have the opportunity to pitch their ideas before an esteemed jury panel. Winners will receive tailored enterprise support services - ranging from mentorship and financial linkages to market access - enabling them to transform their concepts into sustainable businesses. .

The Kaun Banega Business Leader campaign is more than a competition; it is a movement of change. By nurturing local talent and embedding social innovation, it is helping rural entrepreneurs - especially women - emerge as business leaders who are building resilient, self-reliant, and inclusive communities driven by the spirit of enterprise.