Who is this program for?

Whether you have a business concept and are getting ready to launch, or you're an early-stage entrepreneur who's already started and looking to strengthen your business strategy, you're welcome to apply!

What is the payment process?

The payment process is set up differently for different countries. You would be guided to a payment link or the account number towards which the fee needs to be transferred, but only after your final selection. Payment is not to be made at the time of registration. Please note, we are not offering payment plans for the program.

If I have already launched my concept, but I am in the early stage of business. Can I still apply for this program?

Yes, absolutely! If you're willing to fine-tune your business strategy and relaunch, you're eligible to apply.

Are you looking for any candidates from a particular sector or industry?

Participants from any industry are welcome to apply, but your venture needs to be working to address the challenge of human trafficking in some form.

Is proficiency in English a must for the program?

The Aspire curriculum content is in English and therefore to fully be engaged, you might need to understand the language.

What is the graduation criteria for the program?

Attendance in all 3 in-person sessions would be compulsory. Including attendance at the Pitch Event. The Pitch Event is where you, as a participant in the Aspire program, would be pitching your business idea and plan. Completing this is the final step before you are certified to have completed the JoyCorps Aspire program!

Aspire | JoyCorps

Kelly Dwyer, Kolkata

Originally from Chicago, Kelly has lived in Kolkata since 2016. She empowers women through Lamprini Hospitality, the bakery and training program she started for survivors of gender violence and human trafficking. Her passion lies in equipping women to live with dignity, purpose, and strength.

Valance Qudros, Mumbai

Valance is a business and finance strategist with 25+ years across banking, consulting, and entrepreneurship. A Chartered Accountant known for his integrity and insight, he helps founders build sustainable, values-driven businesses. He believes good business begins with wise stewardship and purposeful design.

Meet your Facilitators

JoyCorps

The JoyCorps Aspire: Anti-Trafficking Focus is specifically created for early-stage entrepreneurs that are serious about building a business in a local market within South Asia, within the anti-trafficking space. This could be either through innovation of products or services that advance the cause, or through creating avenues for employment for survivors of human trafficking.

Apply

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Develop and clearly articulate a sustainable business model.

Identify actionable next steps to launch or grow your business.

Build a stronger understanding of customer acquisition and financial planning.

Gain clarity, accountability, and encouragement for the entrepreneurial journey ahead.

Have a community of entrepreneurs within the anti-trafficking space that you can walk with and learn from, even beyond the program.

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JoyCorps

The JoyCorps Aspire: Anti-Trafficking Focus is specifically created for early-stage entrepreneurs that are serious about building a business in a local market within South Asia, within the anti-trafficking space. This could be either through innovation of products or services that advance the cause, or through creating avenues for employment for survivors of human trafficking.

What you'll learn

Building a sustainable business model

1

You will work through practical tools like the Business Model Canvas to better understand how your idea creates value, serves customers, and generates sustainability over time.

Learning from experienced entrepreneurs

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Throughout the program, participants hear insights from entrepreneurs and practitioners who have experience building businesses across sectors and contexts.

Understanding customer acquisition and growth

3

You will learn to think about customers, market needs, financial planning, and growth strategies in a practical, actionable way.

Understanding of Complex Trauma and Trauma - Informed Practices

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You will learn what it means to work with survivors of human trafficking and the complex trauma they carry. You'll also learn how to balance productivity while being intentional to care for survivors in the workplace.

Developing clarity and confidence

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One of the strongest parts of Aspire is the opportunity to refine your thinking through discussion, feedback, and reflection. Many participants leave not only with a stronger business idea but also with greater confidence as founders.

What makes Aspire different?

Aspire places strong emphasis on community and values-driven entrepreneurship. Alongside practical business training, the program encourages participants to think about how their business can contribute positively to the people and communities around them. The learning environment is collaborative rather than competitive. Participants often build lasting relationships with peers, facilitators, and mentors who continue encouraging one another even after the program ends.

Apply

Frequently asked questions

General

To make the payment of Rs. 9,500, the payment link will direct you to our deployment and payment partner, Shikhar Urban and Rural Enterprises Pvt. Ltd (SUREnterprise). Once you’ve made the payment, please send us a quick confirmation or a screenshot so we can verify it on our end. JoyCorps partners with SUREnterprises, who are also working toward entrepreneurship development in India. Please note, we are not offering payment plans for the program.

1. You must demonstrate that you have engaged with your business concept for a more than just a few months.2. You must have some action steps to take your business idea forward.3. You must be willing to work on your concept in a community-setting with peers. Here, we are especially looking for openness to receive feedback.4. You must be committed to launching your idea, which means having a structured business through which your mission and operation flows.

A.

This is what the program looks like

3 in-person business sprints of 2 days each, with travel and accommodation costs covered. Venue TBD.
4 weeks online with 2 hours each.

B.

We would look at the following areas in each of these sessions

First In-person Session: All About You, Knowing Your Customer, Getting the Relationship Right, Trauma-Informed Practices
Second In-person Session: Building the Model to Scale, Discovering the Bottom Line, Accounting for Growth
Online sessions: Strengthening Your Structure, Planning for the Future
Final In-person Session: Pitch Event and Celebration!

Course Format

Originally from Chicago, Kelly has lived in Kolkata since 2016. She empowers women through Lamprini Hospitality, the bakery and training program she started for survivors of gender violence and human trafficking. Her passion lies in equipping women to live with dignity, purpose, and strength.

Kelly Dwyer, Kolkata

Valance Quadros, Mumbai

Meet your Facilitators

Valance is a business and finance strategist with 25+ years across banking, consulting, and entrepreneurship. A Chartered Accountant known for his integrity and insight, he helps founders build sustainable, values-driven businesses. He believes good business begins with wise stewardship and purposeful design.

Frequently asked questions

General

To make the payment of Rs. 9,500, the payment link will direct you to our deployment and payment partner, Shikhar Urban and Rural Enterprises Pvt. Ltd (SUREnterprise). Once you’ve made the payment, please send us a quick confirmation or a screenshot so we can verify it on our end. JoyCorps partners with SUREnterprises, who are also working toward entrepreneurship development in India. Please note, we are not offering payment plans for the program.

1. You must demonstrate that you have engaged with your business concept for a more than just a few months.2. You must have some action steps to take your business idea forward.3. You must be willing to work on your concept in a community-setting with peers. Here, we are especially looking for openness to receive feedback.4. You must be committed to launching your idea, which means having a structured business through which your mission and operation flows.

Aspire: Anti-Trafficking Focus Timeline

Apply

Aspire may be a good fit for you if:

You identify your venture as a freedom business, with the intention to employ survivors of human trafficking or address the vulnerabilities of persons affected in the issue of human trafficking.
You have been thinking seriously about a business idea for some time and are ready to take meaningful steps forward.
You are an early-stage entrepreneur who has already started something and wants to strengthen your business strategy.
You are considering business launch sooner and want to have customer acquisition process and a viable revenue model validated.
You have launched business operations and want to expand customer base and revenue traction with sales projections.
You are open to learning in a community setting and receiving honest feedback from peers and mentors.
You want to build a business that is both sustainable and meaningful.

Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

1. You must demonstrate that you have engaged with your business concept for a more than just a few months.2. You must have some action steps to take your business idea forward.3. You must be willing to work on your concept in a community-setting with peers. Here, we are especially looking for openness to receive feedback.4. You must be committed to launching your idea, which means having a structured business through which your mission and operation flows.5. Your business idea exists to address some part of the challenge of human trafficking.

By the end of the program, you will:

Got Questions?

Just drop us a message at aspire@joycorps.org / +919717125443 via whatsapp. Someone from our team will get back to you.

Apply

Kelly Dwyer, Kolkata

Originally from Chicago, Kelly has lived in Kolkata since 2016. She empowers women through Lamprini Hospitality, the bakery and training program she started for survivors of gender violence and human trafficking. Her passion lies in equipping women to live with dignity, purpose, and strength.

Valance Qudros, Mumbai

Meet your Facilitators

JoyCorps

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2

3

4

5

5

JoyCorps

What you'll learn

Building a sustainable business model

1

Learning from experienced entrepreneurs

2

Understanding customer acquisition and growth

3

Understanding of Complex Trauma and Trauma - Informed Practices

4

Developing clarity and confidence

5

Frequently asked questions

Who is this program for

What is the payment process?

How do I know if I am a good fit for the program?

If I have already launched my concept, but I am in the early stage of business. Can I still apply for this program?

Are you looking for any candidates from a particular sector or industry?

Is proficiency in English a must for the program?

What is the graduation criteria for the program?

This is what the program looks like

We would look at the following areas in each of these sessions

Course Format

Originally from Chicago, Kelly has lived in Kolkata since 2016. She empowers women through Lamprini Hospitality, the bakery and training program she started for survivors of gender violence and human trafficking. Her passion lies in equipping women to live with dignity, purpose, and strength.

Kelly Dwyer, Kolkata

Valance Quadros, Mumbai

Meet your Facilitators

Frequently asked questions

Who is this program for

What is the payment process?

How do I know if I am a good fit for the program?

If I have already launched my concept, but I am in the early stage of business. Can I still apply for this program?

Are you looking for any candidates from a particular sector or industry?

Is proficiency in English a must for the program?

What is the graduation criteria for the program?

Aspire: Anti-Trafficking Focus Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this program for?

What is the payment process?

How do I know if I am a good fit for the program?

If I have already launched my concept, but I am in the early stage of business. Can I still apply for this program?

Are you looking for any candidates from a particular sector or industry?

Is proficiency in English a must for the program?

What is the graduation criteria for the program?

By the end of the program, you will:

Just drop us a message at aspire@joycorps.org / +919717125443 via whatsapp. Someone from our team will get back to you.

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