Overview & The Problem
Finding funds shouldn't be harder than the work itself.
EligibleMe is a digital platform designed to simplify how students, entrepreneurs, and NGOs discover and apply for government grants, scholarships, and financial aid. The project focused on transforming a fragmented, confusing ecosystem into a seamless, intuitive experience.
Millions of individuals miss out on financial support simply because information is scattered, criteria are confusing, and applications are repetitive.
Research & Insights
The problem isn’t a lack of funding — it’s a lack of accessibility.
I conducted primary research with 50+ participants, revealing significant drop-offs and a heavy reliance on informal information sources. Secondary research backed this up, showing that while a vast majority seek funding, only a fraction receive it.
Primary Research Findings
- 73% found it hard to track financial schemes
- 60% dropped applications midway due to complexity
- 43% relied on informal sources for information
- 1 in 5 missed opportunities due to lack of awareness
Secondary Research Insights
- 71% of MSMEs sought external funding in 2024
- Only 42% received funding in 2023
- ~2.91% awareness of niche schemes (extremely low)
- Strong emotional barriers exist, such as fear of rejection
Competitor Analysis
| Competitor Type | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Government Portals | Reliable source of truth | Outdated UI, overly complex |
| Private Aggregators | Better UX, searchability | Incomplete data, heavily biased |
| Offline Agents | Highly convenient, hand-holding | Expensive, inconsistent outcomes |
| Global Platforms | Well-designed ecosystems | Not localized for local schemes |
Opportunity Identified: A trustworthy, simple, and centralized platform providing exceptional UX.
User Personas
Three distinct needs, one unified platform.
I identified three core user groups and mapped their pains to feature opportunities.
1. Students (Aditi Sharma)
- Pain Points: Struggles with awareness and eligibility clarity; overwhelmed by official jargon.
- Behaviors: Relies heavily on social proof and peers.
- Needs: A mobile-first, simple experience with straightforward eligibility checkers.
2. Entrepreneurs (Kuttappan)
- Pain Points: Time-constrained and overwhelmed by extensive paperwork.
- Behaviors: Often depends on paid agents to navigate bureaucracy.
- Needs: Quick, actionable insights and streamlined document submission.
3. NGO / Field Workers (Meera Joseph)
- Pain Points: Manages multiple beneficiaries manually across fragmented systems.
- Behaviors: Repeatedly fills out similar forms for different constituents.
- Needs: Structured tracking, organization, and a high-efficiency dashboard.
Information Architecture
Replacing jargon with structured clarity.
EligibleMe positions itself as a “Funding Operating System” that centralizes opportunities and simplifies application workflows. The structure relies on four core sections (Home, Search, Feed, Profile) driving users through a Discover → Check Eligibility → Apply → Track funnel.
Branding & Design System
Friendly, non-intimidating visuals.
The brand identity was built around simplicity and reassurance. The rising sun logo symbolizes opportunity, while the Warm Orange primary color conveys trust. The overall strategy: Reduce cognitive load and replace jargon with clarity.
“Relax. We read the PDF so you don’t have to.”
Prototype & Timeline
Stop leaving money on the table.
The final product features a clean mobile-first interface, personalized dashboards, simplified eligibility checklists, and crystal clear application tracking.
Conclusion
EligibleMe transforms a broken ecosystem into an accessible enabler of opportunity, empowering users and bridging the massive gap between available help and actual beneficiaries.