The Wheeler Institute and London Business School (LBS) are pleased to announce a major milestone in the evolution of Dharmalife (DL) Labs. The Indian School of Business (ISB) has formally joined DL Labs through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dharmalife and the Wheeler Institute to establish DL Labs at ISB’s Hyderabad campus.
The MoU marks a significant expansion of DL Labs, a platform co-created by Dharmalife, the Wheeler Institute at LBS, Siriti, and Accenture to translate rigorous research into scalable social and economic impact. By hosting DL Labs at its Hyderabad campus, ISB becomes the academic anchor for DL Labs in India, strengthening the integration of field-based evidence with academic research, policy engagement, and innovation.
The agreement was formalised and publicly announced at Confluence 2025, held on November 2025 at New Delhi. Confluence 2025 — With Women, We Rise: Pehchaan, Samaan, Udaan, jointly convened by Dharmalife, ISB and the Wheeler Institute, brought together women entrepreneurs, researchers, government officials, policymakers, funders, and partner organisations to explore evidence-driven pathways for gender-equitable and climate-resilient livelihoods.
DL Labs brings together ISB’s research depth and policy influence, Dharmalife Labs’ extensive last-mile network across more than 45,000 villages, and the Wheeler Institute’s academic rigour and global research linkages. Together, the partnership aims to ensure that insights generated in the field are systematically analysed, tested, and translated into measurable outcomes that advance inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods.
Professor Madan Pillutla, Dean of the Indian School of Business, commented:
“This initiative builds on the long-term partnership between the Indian School of Business and the London Business School, two globally leading institutions dedicated to transforming research into lasting real-world impact. By combining their academic strengths, data-driven expertise, and global perspectives with Dharmalife Lab’s deep networks on the ground, the collaboration seeks to create innovative models that inform policy, inspire entrepreneurship, and deliver sustainable outcomes for communities across India.”
Gaurav Mehta, Founder and CEO of Dharmalife, said:
“As we celebrate 15 years of Dharmalife’s impact, our experience shows that when academic rigour and grassroots innovation come together, meaningful impact can happen at scale. With the Indian School of Business joining our long-standing collaboration with the Wheeler Institute at London Business School, we are deepening our ability to learn from evidence and translate insights into action for millions of people. Welcoming ISB to this partnership marks the next chapter in our shared journey to create profound, lasting change through collective innovation.”
Professor Rajesh Chandy, Co-Academic Director of the Wheeler Institute for Business and Development, added:
“This partnership demonstrates what can happen when world-class research meets grassroots innovation. Together with global and local partners, we are showing that research-based solutions can scale to reach millions, transforming lives and livelihoods. Our collaboration with Dharmalife and the Indian School of Business builds on the fruits of long-standing relationships, bringing together rigorous research and local innovation. It is a model for how business research can inform practice and have a profound impact on individuals, communities, and the world at large.”
Through DL Labs, the Wheeler Institute continues to advance its mission of turning research into action, ensuring that rigorous evidence informs policy, strengthens systems, and delivers meaningful impact at scale.