Brief History

2003-04: CFM’s prototype SuVyapar initiated as a pilot at Stanford University as part of the Reuters Digital Vision Fellowship Program

2004-05: Quilt making community from Jaipur was the first community to sell handcrafted quilts through SuVyapar platform. Focus was on reducing ‘retail waste’ so that communities earn more.

Around 87 artisans involved in the production process was gifted with an amount of $25/artisan as bonus for their efforts. This was over and above their wages.

2005: CFM registered as a hybrid organisation in India.

2006: Ford Foundation gives a start-up grant of US$ 60,000.

2007: Started doing business with three artisan groups and 1 wholesale customer.

CFM got registered as a member with the Fair Trade Federation, USA.

CFM selected as one of the projects from across the world to attend the Global Social Benefit Incubator at Santa Clara University, USA.

2007-08: Number of communities increased to 10 and achieved sales of $100,000 in the first year of operation.

CFM Market Linkages launched its own branded products in India through a Shop-in-Shop model with 1 store in Delhi.

2008-09: Sales of $300,000 achieved with a 300% jump in sales. Number of artisan communities increased to 15 with 650 active artisan members.

Evolution and formation of CFM Market Linkages.

First Producer Company formed with 17 weavers as shareholders in Bhagalpur, Bihar.

Number of shop-in-shop outlets increased to 20.