Mumbai: Leap 300, a breakthrough poverty eradication initiative founded by Karan Bajaj, has officially launched with the bold mission to help India’s most vulnerable families—widowed, landless, disabled households—graduate from extreme poverty in just 300 days using a unique blend of technology, community support, and targeted skilling.
Currently active in villages across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Leap 300 is already showing transformative impact. Results from Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and pilot programs indicate that 91% of participating families graduated from extreme poverty within 300 days, with 2–3x increases in monthly income and measurable improvements in nutrition, education, and household assets.
“At Leap 300, we believe poverty can be ended, not just alleviated, within a realistic, time-bound framework. Our innovative, technology-powered approach identifies and supports the most vulnerable families, helping them escape extreme poverty in just 300 days. This program goes beyond increasing income; it strengthens health, education, and overall well-being, creating lasting, sustainable change,” said Karan Bajaj, Founder, Leap 300
Designed specifically for India’s poorest and often illiterate populations, Leap 300 uses a voice-assisted, visual-first Learning Management System (LMS) available in multiple regional languages. The tech platform also features real-time progress tracking for donors and families, ensuring transparency and trust.
The program integrates with state cash transfer schemes, and RCT findings suggest that its use could improve government program efficacy by 2–4x, with the potential to lift 30 million additional beneficiaries out of extreme poverty.
“India needs a transformative effort to end poverty. India has covered a lot of ground in the last seven decades, but even more tasks lie ahead. The Leap 300 team has brought a new approach of handholding and individual partnership with every citizen to come out of the poverty zone. This approach is not focused only on crossing the ‘poverty line’. Rather aim is to sustainably leap out of the low-income zone and help every household earn a respectable income and live a valuable life. Leap 300 is working in the right direction, with strong intent and integrity. I’m proud to be associated with their mission,” said Ajit Roy, IAS and Mentor at Leap 300.
“One woman told us she no longer had to borrow to feed her family. Another had gone from struggling for work to proudly running a tailoring shop. A father spoke of feeding his children milk and lentils—and fulfilling dreams of a private school. These stories aren’t just about giving money. Backed by smart tech and rigorous operational follow-ups, Leap 300 gave people the space to breathe, to plan, and to believe again. It turned daily survival into quiet confidence and steady progress,” said Mridula Goel, Lead RCT Researcher; Professor, BITS Pilani
The initiative is scaling fast, with the goal of impacting 10,000 lives by the end of 2025 and reaching 5 million households by 2027. Its operational model keeps costs flat even as it scales—thanks to mobile surveys for targeting, automated onboarding, and AI-driven support systems.
Distinctive Features of Leap 300:
- 300-Day Fastest Poverty Graduation Model (vs. 18–36 months in traditional programs)
- Voice-assisted LMS in local languages tailored to individual household needs
- Fully automated and scalable operations for mass reach
- Complete transparency via the Leap 300 app for beneficiaries and donors
From Sukhi Devi, a widow who opened a thriving sweets shop and quadrupled her income, to Chandra Kumari, a differently-abled woman who launched her first kirana store—Leap 300’s stories show a clear shift from survival to empowerment.
“Today, as we officially launch, we invite governments, partners, and changemakers to join us in scaling this proven model. Together, we can transform millions of lives and build a future where poverty is no longer a barrier to opportunity,” said Karan Bajaj, Founder, Leap 300
Leap 300 is now inviting technologists, governments, investors, philanthropists, and mission-aligned institutions to join hands in building a poverty-free India—and a scalable model for global impact.
