Livelihoods specialist

I am a hands-on Livelihood Specialist who transforms piece-rate workers in the informal craft economy into owner-entrepreneurs. I achieve this by designing and implementing structured interventions using a proprietary artisan graduation model.

My work is uniquely grounded in multidisciplinary expertise, combining qualitative social research, textile design, and communications to build evidence-based enterprise solutions. I thrive in dynamic field environments, directly bridging high-level policy frameworks with fast-moving grassroots realities to create sustainable, self-governed collective models.

Lets connect

Blog

Poor Strategy! No Infrastructure, No Capital, No Problem.

In the world of high-tech startups and venture capital, success is measured by scale, investment, and market disruption. Yet, in Bagru, Rajasthan, I met a master craftsman whose business model defies all textbook logic. His approach to hand block printing might be considered "poor strategy" by modern analysts, but his story is a masterclass in resilience and pragmatic innovation. Meet Prakash, 67, whose life embodies a successful business model built on efficiency over excess

The Myth of the 'Formal' Micro-Enterprise

We often hear arguments that digital payments are crucial because they create a 'data trail,' while cash is 'invisible,' thus hindering access to credit. This is a powerful and valid point, but my fieldwork suggests that for millions of household enterprises in India's informal economy, the reliance on cash is far more strategic and complex than simply a 'cash habit.' To understand this, let's look at Amit. Amit is a 21-year-old artisan from Bagru, Rajasthan. He's a digital n

Why It Doesn't Make Sense to Formalize a Textile Business

In the world of business, formalization—getting a GST number, securing a bank loan, and operating with invoices—is often seen as the only path to growth. However, my research into Bagru's vibrant hand block printing community reveals a far more complex reality. For many small-scale textile artisans, the choice to remain informal is not a sign of a lack of ambition or knowledge. It’s a calculated, strategic, and often essential business decision. Here's why, from their perspec

Featured Projects

Sustainable digital livelihoods

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Climate change

Gender

Media

Vidyuth Sreenivasan on the cover of The New Indian Express Indulge supplement, October 22, 2010, with caption 'Yes! We can. Vidyuth Sreenivasan and his fellow warriors of change are turning villages around with sustainable business plans

The News Minute

This Chennai design studio supports block printers and their ancient craft

The Hindu

Versatile Vidyuth

Indian Express - Indulge

Vidyuth Sreenivasan and his fellow warriors of Change are turning villages around with their business plans

India today

Creative energies at work

Insights & Expertise

My work is built on a foundation of deep inquiry into four interconnected areas that shape the future of digital livelihoods

AI, Algorithms & Impact on Artisans

Analyzing the 'algorithmic divide'—how AI in search, e-commerce, and credit scoring can both create opportunities and perpetuate marginalization for grassroots producers

Nano/Micro Enterprise Finance & Value Chains

Investigating the real-world capital needs of the smallest firms, from credit access and utilization to resilience and dignified exit strategies.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) & Alternatives

Exploring how open, equitable digital commons and DPI can serve as powerful alternatives to closed 'walled gardens,' fostering true economic agency.

Sustainability & Circularity in Textiles

Applying a strategic lens to sustainable and circular models within craft value chains, connecting ethical production with modern market demands.

Expertise

My Story: From Entrepreneurship to Impact Strategy

My journey is not a straight line, but a rich tapestry woven from hands-on entrepreneurship, deep social research, and a relentless drive to understand the 'why' behind human behavior. I founded and scaled a social enterprise, Chaani.in, from a rooftop shed, learning firsthand the immense challenges and incredible resilience of artisans in India's informal economy. This wasn't just a business; it was my masterclass in value chain complexities, grassroots capital formation, and the real-world impact of digital divides.

This lived experience, combined with a Master's in Sociology and Global Change from the University of Edinburgh, informs my unique approach. I blend the empathetic, ground-up perspective of an sociologist with the pragmatic, solutions-oriented mindset of a systems thinker. I don't just analyze problems—I build frameworks to solve them, ensuring that policy and technology are not just theoretically sound, but human-centered and effective in the first mile where impact truly matters

About

Let's connect

I welcome inquiries for consulting engagements, strategic partnerships, and speaking opportunities. If you're tackling complex challenges in digital livelihoods, let's explore how my first-mile insights can drive your mission forward.

Email: Sreenivasan.vidyuth@gmail.com

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/vidyuthsreenivasan

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