IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), in strategic collaboration with the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM), marked a significant milestone with the successful launch of the Tripura Incubator Program in Agartala on April 4, 2026. The incubator programme is specifically designed to enable rural Self-Help Group (SHG)-led enterprises across Tripura by providing structured access to capacity building, mentorship and market linkages, empowering them to scale beyond local boundaries. IIMCIP’s proactive engagement in the programme underscores its commitment to extending its structured incubation framework beyond metropolitan ecosystems and into grassroots entrepreneurial communities across the country.

The launch event convened senior government officials, ecosystem stakeholders and incubation leaders, reflecting a strong institutional push towards building sustainable livelihood opportunities through entrepreneurship. The event was formally inaugurated by Abhishek Singh, IAS, Secretary, Rural Development, Government of Tripura, who launched the incubation application portal. 

The floor opened with a welcome address and contextual overview by Dipayan Ghosh, COO, TRLM, outlining the initiative’s significance for the state’s rural economy. Dr VK Rai, CEO, IIMCIP, delivered a special address emphasising the critical role of structured incubation in scaling rural enterprises and enabling long-term sustainability. This was followed by a comprehensive walkthrough of the application portal by Gaurav Kapoor, CBO, IIMCIP, offering participants clarity on the onboarding process and programme benefits. The event also featured an interactive Q&A moderated by Subir Singha, VP – Rural Incubation, IIMCIP, addressing queries from stakeholders and aspiring entrepreneurs on the ground. The day concluded with a vote of thanks by Subhabrata Bhattacharya, Addl CEO, TRLM.

Driving On-Ground Momentum: District-Level Outreach

Following the launch, the program has already transitioned into its next phase, on-ground outreach and awareness building. A series of district-level workshops and awareness camps have been conducted to ensure deeper reach and participation from rural entrepreneurs across the state.

Outreach initiatives have been successfully executed across key locations, including West Tripura (Old Agartala Block), Sepahijala District and Gomati District. These sessions focused on familiarising rural entrepreneurs with the Tripura Incubator Program, guiding them through the application process and encouraging active participation from SHG-led enterprises at the grassroots level.

With a strong launch and growing on-ground momentum, the Tripura Incubator Program is set to play a pivotal role in enabling rural enterprises to scale, formalise operations and access new market opportunities, contributing to a more inclusive and resilient entrepreneurship ecosystem in the state.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park hosted its popular Mentor's Clinic programme in Guwahati on March 26, 2026. The event offered new and aspiring startup founders the opportunity to sit one-on-one with experienced mentors from the IIMCIP network to identify their business impasse and chart out a clear path forward. Founders of 10 early-stage startups participated in the clinic, accruing valuable feedback and takeaways from mentors, viz., Pranjal Konwar (COO, IIMCIP), Pankaj Baruah (Head – Startup Programs, IIMCIP), Subir Singha (VP – Rural Incubation, IIMCIP), Sriparna B Baruah (Former Head – CIE, Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship) and Devasish Sharma (AVP – Programs, IIMCIP).

The mentors engaged deeply with the startup founders, understanding their unique challenges and offering practical, actionable solutions in areas such as business modelling, go-to-market and financial management, among others.

In an increasingly dynamic startup landscape, access to experienced mentors often becomes the differentiating factor between uncertainty and direction. IIMCIP has designed Mentor’s Clinic to bridge this gap, facilitating startups with the much-needed access to quality mentors without requiring any prior affiliation with any IIMCIP programme. The initiative reflects IIMCIP’s larger vision to be the first point of support for entrepreneurs, especially in regions where access to structured guidance and exposure remains limited.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, in collaboration with Maruti Suzuki India Limited, successfully hosted the Maruti Suzuki Nurture Cohort 3, Grand Idea Hunt at IIM Calcutta on March 19, 2026.

The event brought together 11 promising startups, providing them with a platform to present their innovative solutions, engage with industry leaders and showcase their entrepreneurial potential. The Grand Idea Hunt served as a key milestone in identifying and supporting high impact startups under the Nurture program.

After a competitive round of pitches and evaluations, three startups emerged as winners:
– Winner: Loadmee Logistics
– Runner-Up: Midwest Composites
– 2nd Runner-Up: Borse Automotive

The startups were evaluated by an esteemed panel comprising Dr. VK Rai (CEO, IIM Calcutta
Innovation Park), Mr. Rohan Chhatwal (Vice President, Innovation and Governance Excellence,
Maruti Suzuki India Limited), Mr. Eiichi Ikeda (Executive Vice President, Digital Enterprise, Maruti Suzuki India Limited) and Dr. Tapan Sahoo (Executive Officer, Digital Enterprise and Information &; Cybersecurity, Maruti Suzuki India Limited).

The Grand Idea Hunt highlighted the strength of industry–startup collaboration in fostering
innovation and enabling emerging ventures to scale impactful solutions. The event reaffirmed the commitment of IIMCIP and Maruti Suzuki India Limited towards nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) was proud to play a core part in the Demo Day of STPI OctaNE 6.0, 7.0 & 8.0, held in Guwahati on March 13 and 14, 2026, bringing together 20 early-stage tech startups from the cohorts, investors and ecosystem enablers on a single platform.

Over the two days of the Demo Day, startups presented their solutions and growth trajectories to a panel of investors, marking the culmination of weeks of structured mentorship, strategic refinement and continuous founder engagement. Srinavas Gadhavilli, Head – Sourcing, and Sadique Mannan, AVP – Programs, represented IIMCIP at the event.

IIMCIP’s role in the program is a part of a longstanding partnership with STPI across multiple Centres of Excellence, contributing to the growth of diverse startups. The engagement spans key centres including STPI Hyderabad, STPI Lucknow, STPI Gurugram, STPI Bhubaneshwar and STPI OctaNE, reflecting a sustained commitment to nurturing innovation across regions.

As a partner, IIMCIP plays a key role in supporting startups through business capacity building, focusing on strengthening core business fundamentals, refining revenue models, bridging the gap between product vision and market realities, and enabling founders to craft clear and compelling investor pitches.

Notably, IIMCIP is in the process of onboarding a startup from the sixth cohort of the OctaNE program for incubation, further deepening its investment in high-potential ventures.

Through a sustained collaboration with STPI, IIMCIP remains committed to bridging the gap between innovation and real-world startup execution, supporting founders in building scalable, investment-ready ventures and reinforcing the power of strong ecosystem partnerships in turning ideas into impactful enterprises.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park collaborated with Maruti Suzuki India Limited to organise an Innovation Hackathon on March 10, 2026, in association with the Technology Incubation Centre, IIT Guwahati, with on-ground operational support from the Students’ Academic Board (SAB), IIT Guwahati.

The Hackathon brought together 12 innovative teams comprising 60 participants, creating a vibrant platform for young innovators, working at the ideation and prototype stages to present their solutions, exchange ideas and strengthen their entrepreneurial thinking.
After an exciting round of presentations and evaluations, three teams emerged as winners, along with a special jury recognition:

– Winner: Avinash & Rithvik
– Runner-Up: Devraj Choudhary &Saksham Barnwal
– 2nd Runner-Up: Himanta Doley
– Jury Award: Most Unique Idea – Sachin Kumar Sharma

The ideas were evaluated by an esteemed jury panel comprising Dr VK Rai (CEO, IIMCIP), Aditya Naag (Deputy General Manager – Innovation Excellence, Maruti Suzuki India Limited), Pranjal Konwar (COO, IIMCIP) and Pankaj Gogoi (Head of Operations, IIMCIP-TIC), who assessed the
participating teams based on innovation, feasibility and potential impact.

The event was also attended by representatives from Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., including Priyanshi Shah and Rakshit Joshi, along with members of the IIMCIP team, Sadique Mannan, Sabreen Ahmed and Upakul Das, who supported the successful execution of the Hackathon.
A special note of thanks goes to Himanshu Sharma (General Secretary, SAB), Aditya Jha (Joint
Secretary, SAB), the dedicated members of the Students’ Academic Board, IIT Guwahati, and Sanket Umap from IITG-TIC for their invaluable support in making the event a success.

The Hackathon served as a powerful platform for innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurial learning, reinforcing the importance of industry–academia partnerships in nurturing the next generation of problem solvers and startup founders.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park hosted Shri Sanjiv Singh, IAS, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, on March 9, 2026. The visit marked a significant milestone in IIMCIP’s journey, providing an opportunity for the IIMCIP leadership and the incubated startup founders to engage directly with the venerated official.

The event brought together the entire IIMCIP team, led by CEO, Dr VK Rai, along with nine promising startups from the IIMCIP portfolio, who shared about their innovations and demonstrated their products.

In his keynote address, Shri Sanjiv Singh encouraged startups to leverage the full suite of schemes available under the Startup India initiative, emphasising the Government of India’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for startups to thrive.

Shri Singh further expressed his admiration for the quality and calibre of the startups nurtured by IIMCIP. He noted that the startups he interacted with were among the best in their class, a testament to IIMCIP’s rigorous mentoring and incubation ecosystem. His words of encouragement were received with great enthusiasm by the entrepreneurial community present.

A few of the IIMCIP-incubated startup founders took the floor to walk Shri Singh through what they have been building. The presentations offered a compelling glimpse into the diversity of innovation being fostered at IIMCIP, spanning multiple domains and addressing real-world challenges.

The visit by the DPIIT Joint Secretary is a resounding validation of IIMCIP’s mission and the tangible impact it is creating within India’s startup landscape. IIMCIP remains committed to deepening its partnerships with government bodies, industry stakeholders and its growing community of startup founders and entrepreneurs as it charts the next chapter of its journey.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), in collaboration with Pernod Ricard India Foundation (PRIF), hosted the Prakriti Incubation Launchpad Startup Summit in Guwahati on February 17, 2026, bringing together industry leaders, investors, development professionals and innovative startups focused on circular economy solutions. The summit marked the culmination of the Prakriti Incubation Launchpad program for sustainability and circularity startups from North East India, while highlighting pathways for sustainable innovation in the region.

The event celebrated the achievements of 12 innovative startups selected under the Prakriti Incubation Launchpad, each working at the intersection of sustainability and entrepreneurship. From waste management and upcycling to eco-friendly packaging, these ventures represent a new wave of purpose-driven businesses emerging from the North East.

A Distinguished Gathering

The summit was graced by Shri PVSLN Murthy, CMD of NEDFi, as the Chief Guest, whose presence lent weight to the occasion and signalled strong institutional backing for circular economy ventures in North East India.

The gathering also featured an impressive lineup of dignitaries and thought leaders: Anantika Singh (Senior Director – CSR, Pernod Ricard India), Ajay Jain (Chairman, IIMCIP Board), Dr. V.K. Rai (CEO, IIMCIP), Dr. Arup Kumar Misra (Chairman, Pollution Control Board, Assam), Bonani Roychoudhury (Independent Consultant – Sustainability and former MD, NABSAMRUDDHI Finance Ltd.), Hari Balasubramanian (Member, Indian Angel Network), Anvitaa Rastogi (Vice President – Portfolio & Strategy, ALSiSAR Impact), Dr. Sriparna B Baruah (Development Professional), Nityanand Natarajan (AVP – Manufacturing Operations, Pernod Ricard India) and Nayandeep Banerjee (Director – Packaging Development, Pernod Ricard India), among others.

The summit opened with a welcome address by Dr. V.K. Rai, CEO of IIMCIP, followed by keynote addresses from Anantika Singh and Ajay Jain, who set the tone for the day with reflections on the urgency and opportunity of building a circular economy in India led by the North East. Dr. Arup Kumar Misra and Bonani Roychoudhury added further depth, speaking on the regulatory and financial landscape shaping green entrepreneurship in the region.

The presentation by Pankaj Baruah, Head of Programs at IIMCIP, offered a comprehensive overview of the Prakriti Incubation Launchpad’s impact, encapsulating success stories, measurable outcomes and the way forward for expanding support to green ventures across the region.

Deliberations over a Fireside Chat

The morning session culminated in a fireside chat on “Funding Challenges and Emerging Opportunities for Green Startups in North East India.” Moderated by Hari Balasubramanian of the Indian Angel Network, the panel featured Anvitaa Rastogi (ALSiSAR Impact), Anantika Singh (Pernod Ricard India), Dr. Sriparna B Baruah and Nityanand Natarajan (Pernod Ricard India).

The conversation explored the unique challenges that circular economy startups face in accessing capital, from the limited presence of impact investors in the region to the need for patient capital that aligns with longer sustainability timelines. Panellists also highlighted emerging opportunities, including growing corporate interest of the corporates in the sustainability sector.

Impact Report Launch

One of the most significant moments of the summit was the formal launch of the Prakriti Incubation Launchpad Impact Report by Chief Guest Shri PVSLN Murthy. The report documents the programme’s achievements across the cohort, providing a clear account of how targeted incubation support can help scale early-stage sustainability businesses.

Afternoon Sessions: Stories, Skills, and Celebration

The afternoon kicked off with an inspiring storytelling session by Ittisha Sarah, Founder of North East Waste Collective. Her narrative resonated strongly with the audience, drawing on her own journey of building a waste management movement in the region.

This was followed by a Packaging Masterclass for Startups led by Nayandeep Banerjee, Director – Packaging Development at Pernod Ricard India. The session offered the cohort actionable insights into sustainable packaging design and commercialisation.

The programme concluded with the certificate and memento distribution to all 12 Prakriti startups, recognising their performance, growth and successful completion of the incubation programme. The moment drew well-deserved applause and marked a proud milestone for founders who had worked tirelessly throughout their incubation journey.

The Prakriti Incubation Launchpad Startup Summit demonstrated that North East India doesn’t just receive sustainability discourse but is an active contributor to it, with founders, institutions and partners collectively driving a circular economy that is both ecologically sound and economically viable.

As IIMCIP and Pernod Ricard India Foundation look ahead to expanding the programme, the 12 startups that completed this cohort carry with them not just certificates, but networks, skills and the confidence to turn circular innovation into lasting impact.

The sixth cohort of 75 startups at PRIME Meghalaya was officially welcomed during an inaugural bootcamp organised by IIMCIP, while bidding farewell to the graduating cohort this February in Shillong.

Over three intensive days, founders from across the state came together to build their entrepreneurial foundations and usher in the nine-month incubation journey ahead.

Day 1 opened with an ice-breaker session by Pankaj Baruah, Head – Programs, IIMCIP, setting an open and collaborative tone for the days ahead. This was followed by a foundational session on Vision and Mission Setting led by Pranjal Konwar, COO, IIMCIP, helping founders articulate where they are headed and why it matters.

Day 2 deepened the learning with Pankaj Baruah’s introduction of the Ladder of Success framework, a practical tool designed to help startups map their growth trajectory with clarity. IIMCIP CEO Dr Vivek K. Rai made a special appearance to personally address the founders, lending both perspective and encouragement to the cohort as they stand at the threshold of a significant entrepreneurial journey. The day also featured an in-depth session on Customer Segmentation by IIMCIP mentor, Sanjoy Sen, before closing on a stirring note with a firsthand testimonial from the founder of The Chicken Wagon, a graduate of Cohort 4, whose journey served as a powerful reminder of what is possible when founders stay the course.

Day 3 brought it all together. Founders revisited key frameworks through a recap of the Ladder of Success and continued discussions on customer segmentation, before participating in group mentoring sessions with IIMCIP mentors. By the time the bootcamp concluded, the cohort had not only gained practical business tools but had also begun building the peer connections and mentor relationships that would support them through the months ahead.

Celebrating Cohort 5, Onboarding Cohort 6

The momentum of the bootcamp carried forward into a milestone event, where PRIME Meghalaya brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, mentors and ecosystem partners to mark a dual celebration: the graduation of 75 startups from Cohort 5 and the formal onboarding of 75 startups under Chief Minister’s E-Championship Challenge 6.0.

It was a moment that captured the full arc of what PRIME Meghalaya represents — beginnings and completions, effort acknowledged and new ambition ignited.

Under CMECC 6.0, the newly onboarded startups will receive nine months of comprehensive incubation support spanning mentorship, training, market linkages, buyer exposure and pathways to institutional funding.

A Landmark Conference Brings Together Policymakers, Financial Leaders and Industry Experts to Address Climate Change in the North Eastern Region

Climate change is no longer a distant threat but is impacting livelihoods, agriculture and businesses across India, with the North Eastern Region facing unique vulnerabilities. On February 6, 2026, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) and the Indian Institute of Bank Management (IIBM) came together to host a landmark conference in Guwahati, addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the effect of climate change on agriculture and businesses in the North Eastern Region.

Supported by NABARD’s Department of Climate Action and Sustainability, the conference convened policymakers, financial institutions, academicians and industry leaders under one roof to deliberate on actionable strategies for building climate resilience in the region.

A. Setting the Tone: Inaugural Session
The conference opened with a warm welcome to dignitaries and guests, followed by the inaugural session that set the stage for the day deliberations. Shri Eugene E Karthak, Director, IIBM, delivered the welcome address, emphasising the importance of collaborative action in addressing climate challenges unique to the North East. He was joined by Shri Ajay Jain, Chairman, IIMCIP, who highlighted the critical role of innovation ecosystems in driving sustainable development.

Smt. Sushmita Phukan, Regional Director, RBI (North Eastern Region), shared RBI's perspective on climate change and its implications for the financial sector in the region. Smt. Ayushi Jain, IAS, Joint Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Assam, presented insights on Green Budgeting in Assam, a pioneering initiative that integrates climate considerations into state fiscal planning.

The inaugural address was delivered by Shri Loken Das, CGM, NABARD, Assam Regional Office, who underscored NABARD’s commitment to climate action and sustainable rural development. Dr V.K. Rai, CEO, IIMCIP, delivered the vote of thanks for the inaugural session.

B. Deep Dives: Thematic Sessions

• Climate Change and Agriculture: Shri Raj Ganguly, Senior Agribusiness Specialist, World
  Bank Group, opened the technical sessions with an in-depth analysis of the effect of climate
  change on agriculture and rural development in NER. He highlighted how changing weather
  patterns, erratic rainfall and rising temperatures are disrupting traditional farming practices
  and the urgent need for climate-smart agricultural interventions.
  The session was moderated by Smt. Bonani Roychoudhury, Sustainability Consultant and
  former MD of Nabsamruddhi Finance Ltd.
• WASH: A Critical Pillar for Climate Adaptation: Shri Ajay Jain, Chairman, IIMCIP, took the stage to address WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), often an overlooked yet fundamental component of climate resilience. His session explored how investments in water infrastructure, sanitation systems and hygiene practices can strengthen community resilience against climate shocks, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas of the North East.
• Clean Energy and Environmental Sustainability: Shri Pravin Agrawal, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Government of Tripura, presented on clean energy and its effects on agriculture, rural development and the environment in NER. The session examined the potential of renewable energy solutions to transform the region's energy landscape while reducing carbon footprints.
• Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Health: Dr Ghanshyam T. Patle, Associate Professor, Central Agricultural University, Sikkim, addressed the critical issue of soil nutrients and sustainable agriculture. His presentation highlighted the importance of soil health in ensuring long-term agricultural productivity and food security in the face of climate variability.
• Financing Climate Resilience: Shri Abhijit Ray, Managing Director, UC Inclusive Credit, spoke on climate finance and its effects on agriculture, rural development and the environment in NER. He discussed innovative financing mechanisms that can channel resources toward climate adaptation and mitigation projects in the region. RBI’s Sustainable Finance Framework: Shri Saket Kumar, DGM ; Head, Sustainable Finance Group, Department of Regulation, RBI, provided valuable insights on climate finance instruments. His session covered the evolving regulatory landscape around green finance, sustainable lending practices, and the role of financial institutions in supporting India’s climate goals.
• Startup Ecosystem and Funding Challenges: Smt. Olee Bora, Managing Director, NEDFi Venture Capital Ltd, addressed the challenges of funding startups in NER. Her session shed light on the unique hurdles faced by entrepreneurs in the region and the need for tailored funding mechanisms to nurture climate-focused innovation.

C. Open House and Way Forward

The conference concluded with an open house discussion moderated by Prof. Abhijit Sharma,
Faculty, IIBM, and Shri Sushant Pal, Consultant, Multilateral Agencies and Government of India.
Participants engaged in a lively dialogue on actionable next steps, knowledge gaps and collaborative opportunities.

Dr VK Rai, CEO, IIMCIP, delivered the closing vote of thanks, reinforcing IIMCIP's unwavering commitment to driving climate action and sustainable innovation in Northeast India.

D. A Defining Outcome: The Climate Cell

Perhaps the most significant outcome of the conference was the formal groundwork laid for
the Climate Cell, a joint initiative by IIMCIP and IIBM. The Climate Cell will serve as a dedicated
platform for developing evidence-based climate mitigation and adaptation strategies tailored to the unique ecological, economic and social context of the North Eastern Region.

This initiative reflects IIMCIP’s belief that sustainable development must be rooted in research, collaboration and local relevance.

At IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, we believe that innovation must serve India's most vulnerable communities and ecosystems. The North East, with its rich biodiversity, agrarian economy and climate-sensitive geography, deserves solutions designed for its unique challenges and potential.

This conference marks another step in our commitment to catalysing sustainable, inclusive growth in the region. We extend our gratitude to IIBM, NABARD and all the distinguished speakers, moderators and participants who made this event a success.

The conversation has begun. The work continues.

The ReGen Innovation Accelerator-2025 Demo Day & Conclave concluded successfully on January 30, 2026, bringing together startup founders, seasoned investors and industry experts for two intensive days focused on building India’s green economy ecosystem.

Day One

The opening day on January 29 set the stage with comprehensive pitch training led by Pankaj Baruah, Head of Programs at IIMCIP. The afternoon sessions transformed theory into practice, with startups undergoing rigorous mock pitching exercises. A panel comprising IIMCIP mentors, Sanjoy Sen and Bibhash Mandal, and investors like Saurabh Singhavi (Director & COO, Alsisar Impact) and Shyam Sukhramani (Partner, 7th Gen Ventures), provided detailed feedback across three intensive sessions.

Day Two

The main event on January 30 brought together a powerhouse lineup of investors representing some of India’s most prominent early-stage investment firms. The morning session featured startup pitches before a distinguished panel comprising Hari Balasubramanian (Member, Indian Angel Network), Tamaghna Adhikari (Managing Partner, Benzai10), Kush Arora (Early-Stage Investments, Indian Angel Network), Madhuri Sawant (Director Investments & Legal, IvyCap Ventures), Satyam Goyal (Investment Manager, Blue Ashva Capital) and Deepak Kumar Katiyar (Asst. General Manager, L&T Innovation Fund).

The afternoon segment opened with a welcome address by Pranjal Konwar, COO of IIMCIP, followed by an academic perspective from Prof. Saikat Maitra, Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Management at IIM Calcutta.

Panel Discussions: Two thought-provoking panel discussions formed the intellectual heart of the conclave. The first, titled “Challenges & Opportunities for Green Economy Startups,” brought together entrepreneurs and impact investors to examine the ground realities facing sustainable businesses. The panel featured Achitra Borgohain (Founder, BinBag), Tapan Sarker (Researcher in Sustainability, Innovation & Climate Science), Ananya Saini (Program Associate, ANDE) and Shyam Sukhramani, with Sweta Bhatia (AVP-Legal & Strategic Initiatives, Alsisar Impact) serving as moderator.

The investor panel discussion that followed provided crucial insights into funding dynamics for green economy ventures. With participation from industry experts like Tamaghna Adhikari, Hari Balasubramaniam, Madhuri Sawant, Satyam Goyal, Deepak Kumar Katiyar, and moderated by Saurabh Singhavi, the discussion covered investment criteria, scaling challenges and the evolving landscape of impact investing in India.

Celebrating Innovation: The event concluded with recognition for the top ten startups from the ReGen Innovation Accelerator Program, whose innovative solutions demonstrated the potential to address critical environmental and sustainability challenges.

A networking session over tea allowed investors, mentors and founders to continue conversations initiated during the formal sessions, fostering connections that could lead to future collaborations.

As India accelerates its transition towards the Sustainable Development Goals, initiatives like the ReGen Innovation Accelerator play a crucial role in nurturing the entrepreneurs who will drive this transformation.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park organised the MeitY TIDE 2.0 Northeast Techathon X-6 (Meghalaya Edition) across two locations—on January 21, 2026, at PRIME Startup Hub, Shillong, and on January 22, 2026, at the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM).

The event featured intensive pitching sessions where aspiring entrepreneurs and innovative startups presented their business ideas before esteemed juries comprising industry experts, senior managers and academic faculty. Participants gained valuable insights through expert feedback and jury deliberations, while also benefiting from discussions on entrepreneurship ecosystem support and startup development strategies.

The Techathon recognised six winning startups across both locations—Better 1 Percent, Smart Farming Solutions and The Sports Hour from the Shillong edition, and Carbon-X, Pragjyoti Bazar and Money Matri from the USTM edition—who were awarded certificates and cash prizes for their innovation and execution potential, reinforcing IIMCIP’s commitment to nurturing early-stage innovation across North East India.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) partnered with iStart Rajasthan to host the MeitY TIDE 2.0 Ideation Hackathon, “Nurturing Innovation: Ideas to Impact – Empowering Rajasthan”, on January 19, 2026.

The programme drew over 60 participants, witnessing 23 startups pitching to a senior panel representing IIMCIP and iStart Rajasthan. Among the participating ventures, Yathartha Labs, Geek Bots, Octopyder Services and Bharat Maps were recognised for their innovative approaches and market potential, each receiving a cash reward.

To further strengthen startup readiness, IIMCIP conducted a comprehensive workshop on ‘Incubation Cycle and What Incubators Look For’, led by Srinivas Gadhavilli, Head – Sourcing & Partnerships, IIMCIP.

The programme was well-received by the participating founders, appreciating the practical learnings and meaningful exposure to the incubation ecosystem. It further deepened the partnership between IIMCIP and iStart Rajasthan, reaffirming the collective commitment to empowering startups through structured incubation support, investment facilitation and regionally tailored capacity-building interventions.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) successfully organised its Annual Incubatee Meet 2026 on 19 January 2026, followed by the Industry–Academia Deep Engagement Program on 20 January 2026, under the MeitY TIDE 2.0 initiative. The two-day program was designed to strengthen early-stage startups through mentoring, expert-led learning and structured engagement between startups, industry, academia and the broader innovation ecosystem.

Day 1 commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Pankaj Baruah, Head Programs, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, who set the context for the program and articulated IIMCIP’s vision of strengthening early-stage startups through structured mentorship and ecosystem engagement. The Annual Incubatee Meet brought together startup founders, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), mentors, and ecosystem experts for intensive mentoring, diagnostics and capacity-building sessions.

A key highlight of the day was the Master Class on Investments and Fundraising by Mr. Hari Balasubramanian, Serial Mentor & Investor and Member of the Indian Angel Network. The session provided founders with practical insights into investor expectations, fundraising strategies and long-term value creation. Mr. Balasubramanian also emphasised the importance of wealth profiling for startup founders and the art of storytelling, highlighting how a clear and compelling narrative plays a critical role in attracting capital and building investor confidence.

The day also featured expert-led diagnostics and one-on-one mentoring sessions for incubated startups and EiRs. These sessions allowed founders to receive targeted feedback on business models, market positioning, operational readiness and growth challenges, enabling actionable insights and focused course correction.

With active participation from over 40 participants, including 15 startups, 20 founders and co-founders, students and faculty members, setting the tone for deep engagement, peer learning and meaningful ecosystem collaboration. 15 startups went through a holistic diagnostic and mentoring session by 10 mentors.

Day 2 focused on strengthening collaboration between industry, academia and startups, with a special emphasis on students and academic institutions as key drivers of future innovation.

The day began with a Master Class on Intellectual Property Creation, Commercialisation and Innovation Readiness, led by Abhigyan Sidhant, Founder, Temple Legal LLP. The session enabled startups to understand the strategic importance of IP protection, technology commercialisation pathways and building innovation-ready enterprises capable of sustainable scaling.

This was followed by a Master Class for students on Market Challenges and Solution Building, conducted by Commodore Pushkar Kumar of the Indian Navy. The session encouraged students from build clubs and engineering institutions to adopt a market-oriented approach to problem-solving, effectively bridging academic learning with real-world application and impact-driven innovation.

A major highlight of the day was the panel discussion on “Bridging the Industry–Academia–Startup Gap,” moderated by Dr. Siddhartha Das, Professor, IIT Kharagpur and former MD, STEP IIT KGP. The panel featured distinguished speakers including:

• Dr. Soumyojit Roy, Professor, IISER Kolkata; Co-Founder & Director, Solaire Initiative Pvt. Ltd.
• Mr. Winny Patro, Founder, Recordent
• Dr. Wasim Arif, Associate Professor, NIT Silchar
• Mr. Debapratim Das, CFO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park
• Commodore Pushkar Kumar, The Indian Navy

The discussion explored pathways for translating academic research into market-ready solutions, industry expectations from startups, and the role of institutions in fostering innovation-led entrepreneurship.

The active involvement of IIMCIP mentors through mentoring, evaluations, and strategic guidance strengthened ecosystem engagement. The Annual Incubatee Meet 2026 reaffirmed IIMCIP’s commitment to nurturing innovation-driven entrepreneurship by enabling startups and student innovators to build scalable, market-ready, and impact-driven ventures.

To commemorate National Startup Day, the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur, through its incubator NIT Raipur Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (NITRRFIE), in collaboration with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), organized the Startup Capital Connect Workshop. The day-long workshop served as a strategic platform to connect early-stage startups with investors, mentors, policymakers and financial institutions.

The event commenced with an inaugural session featuring welcome remarks and institutional perspectives from NIT Raipur leadership, followed by keynote addresses highlighting innovation-led entrepreneurship and investment readiness. Strategic insights were shared by representatives from IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and the Government of Chhattisgarh, offering valuable perspectives on regional and national startup ecosystems.

The workshop was designed to strengthen early-stage startups by enabling investor engagement, improving funding readiness, promoting awareness of government support and market opportunities and facilitating strategic networking and partnerships. A key highlight was the curated startup pitching sessions, where selected startups presented their ventures and received live feedback from an esteemed jury comprising Dr. N. V. Ramana Rao, Director, NIT Raipur; Dr. N. D. Londhe, Registrar, NIT Raipur; Mr. Soujit Das, Senior Manager, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park; Mr. Zulfikar Trivedi, Mentor, IIMCIP and CFO, Somerset Indus Capital; Mr. Ram Khandelwal, General Manager, Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Government of Chhattisgarh; and representatives from HDFC Bank.

A key highlight of the workshop was the live pitching session, where 15 incubated startups of NITRRFIE presented their business models, funding requirements, and strategic roadmaps to an expert panel comprising IIMCIP representatives and investors. The session enabled real-time feedback, strategic guidance and potential follow-on engagements. As a significant outcome, three technology-led startups were shortlisted by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park for advanced deliberations with its Investment Committee, with the event also indicating potential funding support of up to INR 1.5 crore for eligible incubated startups.

The Startup Capital Connect Workshop concluded with strong stakeholder engagement and reaffirmed the commitment of NIT Raipur and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park to nurturing innovation-driven entrepreneurship. By bridging startups with capital, mentorship and institutional support, the workshop contributed meaningfully to strengthening the regional startup ecosystem and advancing scalable, technology-led ventures.

The Bengal Business Accelerator Program (BBAP) Cohort 2 concluded with an impactful Demo Day and Valedictory Ceremony on January 14, 2026, at the IIM Calcutta campus, which united the graduating Cohort of 25 promising startups with investors, bankers and ecosystem leaders.

Demo Day: Pitching to Investors

The event commenced with intensive pitching sessions with an esteemed investor panel comprising Rimjhim Ray, 3X AIpreneur | Partner, Goa Angels; Abhisek Ghosh, Regional Product Manager (East), Startups and GIGA Banking; Arijit Bhattacharya, Founder, Virtual Infocom; Aquib Hossain, Founder, Freeflow; Viresh Oberoi, Founder, mjunction; Dr Ringo Rajagopal, CEO, uMobi Solutions Corp; Nishant Surana, Client Success Partner, IDFC FIRST Bank; and Mohammed Ali, Regional Head (East), Emerging Enterprises Group, HDFC Bank Ltd.

The investors demonstrated keen interest in several ventures, providing strategic feedback, growth-oriented suggestions and actionable insights. Multiple investors indicated potential follow-up discussions with select startups, signalling promising investment opportunities ahead.

Valedictory Ceremony: Celebrating Entrepreneurial Spirit

The formal closure ceremony was graced by distinguished dignitaries like Sri Meghnad De, Special Secretary, Department of MSME, Government of West Bengal; Kaushik Gupta, Senior Vice President & Zonal Head (East), Government & Institutional Banking, HDFC Bank Ltd.; Abhik Mukherjee, Cluster Head, HDFC Bank; and Avinash Kumar, Chief Manager, Punjab National Bank; along with Dr V.K. Rai, CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, and Debapratim Das, CFO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park.

The dignitaries commended the Cohort’s innovation, resilience and entrepreneurial drive, acknowledging the critical role BBAP plays in West Bengal’s economic development. Certificates were distributed to all participating startups, marking their successful completion of the programme.

A Government of West Bengal initiative implemented by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, BBAP continues to strengthen the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by nurturing innovative MSMEs and startups into investment-ready ventures. The successful graduation of Cohort 2 reinforces IIM Calcutta Innovation Park’s commitment to nurturing high-potential ventures and driving innovation-led economic growth in the region.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) organised the third bootcamp for the second Cohort of the Bengal Business Accelerator Program 2025, bringing together ambitious entrepreneurs, seasoned mentors and industry experts for two intensive days of learning, networking and growth.

The bootcamp was designed to equip founders with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to navigate the complex landscape of fundraising and investor relations.                 

Day 1: Foundations of Investor Engagement

The bootcamp commenced with an in-depth presentation and feedback session led by our distinguished panel of IIMCIP mentors. Suman Mukhopadhyay (Director, Banglanatok.com), Debapratim Das (CFO, IIMCIP), Srinivas Gadhavilli (Head-Sourcing, IIMCIP), Sanjoy Sen (Mentor, IIMCIP) and Hari Bala Subramaniam (Mentor & Advisor – IIMCIP, IvyCap, Member – IAN) worked closely with participating founders to identify grey areas in their pitch presentations.

The interactive session allowed each startup to receive personalised feedback, helping them refine their presentations and address potential investor concerns before they enter the fundraising arena.

Post-lunch, Suraj Jaiswal, Partner at V Singhi, delivered a comprehensive session on “Valuation for SME.” Understanding valuation is often a stumbling block for early-stage founders, and this session demystified the complex methodologies, helping entrepreneurs arrive at realistic and defensible valuations for their ventures.

Following the tea break, Hari Balasubramaniam took centre stage with “What Investors Look for – Do’s & Don’ts for Startups.” Drawing from his extensive experience, he provided invaluable insights into investor mindset, common pitfalls to avoid and strategies that increase the likelihood of securing funding.

The day concluded with Avik Gupta, Chief Manager of Listing SME, exploring the pathway of “IPO Listing for MSME”, opening new horizons for founders.

Day 2: From Theory to Practice

Day 2 was structured around practical application. Deepak Daftari, Angel Investor and CEO of Esiksha.com, led the morning session with an “Overview on Raising Funds from Angel Investors,” sharing firsthand experiences and insider perspectives on what makes a startup attractive to angel investors.

The highlight of the bootcamp was the mock presentation sessions that occupied the majority of Day 2. Each participating founder had the opportunity to pitch to Deepak Daftari and Hari Balasubramaniam in a simulated investor meeting environment.

The mentors pushed founders with tough questions, challenged their assumptions, scrutinised their financials and provided the kind of rigorous feedback that only comes from investors who have seen hundreds of pitches.

As the third bootcamp concludes, our Cohort 2 enterprises from Bengal are significantly better positioned to approach investors with confidence. They understand what investors seek, can articulate their value proposition compellingly and are charting out realistic roadmaps for their fundraising journeys.

The second bootcamp for Cohort 2 of the Bengal Business Accelerator Program successfully concluded with an intensive two-day learning immersion designed to strengthen the foundations of emerging startups and MSMEs from Bengal.

The 2-day bootcamp opened with a hands-on workshop by Mr Pankaj Periwal (Partner, V. Singhi & Associates) on cost structures, revenue models and unit economics, equipping founders with practical tools to evaluate business viability. This was followed by a tailored session on pricing strategies for early-stage ventures by Dr Ritu Mehta (Professor, IIM Calcutta).

The afternoon session was led by Dr Abhishek Goel (Associate Professor, IIM Calcutta) on building high-performing startup teams, focusing on talent acquisition, culture and leadership. The day concluded with a comprehensive masterclass on financial projections, funding needs, cashflow planning and break-even analysis by Mr Periwal.

The second day began with a session by Mr Rajat Srivastava (Addl. Executive Director, EEPC India) on exploring international markets, export–import procedures and incentives, and critical insights for MSMEs aiming for global expansion. This was followed by an in-depth workshop by Mr Anil Bajaj (CEO, StrategGYDe Consultica LLP) on developing investor-ready business plans, aligning operations with fundraising goals and defining market strategies. Post the networking lunch, Mr Nitish Mawkin (Partner, Singhania & LLP) simplified the compliance and regulatory frameworks essential for startups.

The bootcamp concluded with the final segment of the business plan development masterclass by Mr Bajaj, enabling participants to refine their pitches and strengthen their investment readiness. The two-day bootcamp laid a strong foundation for Cohort 2, equipping entrepreneurs with enhanced clarity, stronger business frameworks and the mentor support needed as they move into deeper incubation and investor engagement.

The ReGen Innovation Accelerator 2025 continued its journey of empowering sustainability-driven ventures with the 4th Bootcamp, held on the 3rd and 4th of November 2025. Designed to strengthen market and investment readiness among startups in the waste management and circular economy space, the two-day bootcamp focussed on business model refinement, global expansion and strategic leadership.

Day 1 opened with an intensive Business Model Review facilitated by Mr Shyam Sukhramani and Mr Gautam Khot, Partners at 7th Ventures, where founders revisited their value propositions, cost structures and customer acquisition strategies. The interactive session enabled participants to identify gaps in scalability and align their problem-solution fit with evolving market needs. The day also featured an insightful session by Dr Rajat Srivastava (Addl. Executive Director, EEPC India) on “Finding New International Markets and Products”, guiding startups through export-import documentation, incentives and pathways for global expansion.

Day 2 delved into growth and leadership with Mr Anil Bajaj (CEO, StrateGYde Consultica LLP) leading a session on “Sales Strategies with Emphasis on B2B”, highlighting value-based selling and data-driven sales frameworks. Ms Manisha Sharaf, the Co-founder of IIMCIP-incubated SuperProcure, shared her entrepreneurial journey and lessons on scaling up effectively. The bootcamp concluded with Prof. Abhisek Goel (IIM Calcutta) conducting a session on “Negotiation Skills for Founders”, where participants explored techniques to navigate investor discussions and build long-term stakeholder relationships.

The two days culminated in renewed clarity and confidence among participants, equipped with stronger business models, export readiness insights, B2B sales, frameworks and leadership expertise are essential aspects for scaling the ventures in the sustainability sector.

The Bengal Business Accelerator Program, a flagship initiative of the Government of West Bengal and supported under the World Bank–aided RAMP Scheme, in collaboration with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), successfully concluded its inaugural three-day bootcamp for Cohort 2 from October 13–15, 2025, at IIM Calcutta.

Day 1 began with a welcome address by Sudipto Chakraborty (Associate Director, PwC) and Namami Ghosh from IIMCIP, followed by an interactive ice-breaker by Gaurav Kapoor from IIMCIP, who shared valuable insights on building fundable startups and aligning business models with investor expectations. The day continued with a detailed session by Kaustav Majumdar on Customer Value Proposition, guiding participants through developing customer personas, identifying USPs and creating user-centric solutions driven by feedback and innovation. The day concluded with a session on Developing a Business Roadmap by Namami Ghosh.

Day 2 featured a masterclass by T. P. Pratap (Founder, Qwikcilver) on Product-Market Fit and Scaling Up, highlighting key strategies around validation, customer segmentation and growth readiness. This was followed by an engaging session by IIMCIP mentor, Sanjoy Sen, on Customer Experience Journey, focusing on mapping customer touchpoints, understanding user needs and integrating feedback loops for improved engagement. The day concluded with a Diagnostics Panel Discussion featuring experts T. P. Pratap, Suman Mukhopadhyay, Namami Ghosh, Srinivas Gadhavilli, Anil Bajaj, Sandip Bhatia and Sanjoy Sen, who collectively evaluated startup challenges and growth potential.

Day 3 opened with a session on Branding and Promotion by Shivaji Dasgupta (Founder & MD, Inexgro Brand Advisory), covering aspects of brand identity, market positioning and promotional strategy. The bootcamp concluded with a session by Manju Jaiswal (Professor, IIM Calcutta) on Understanding Cost, Revenue and Unit Economics, helping entrepreneurs decode financial fundamentals and assess profitability at the unit level.

The bootcamp marked another milestone in the Bengal Business Accelerator Program’s mission to nurture scalable, investor-ready ventures and strengthen the startup ecosystem of West Bengal.

Continuing its mission to champion women-led impact and unlock entrepreneurial potential in India’s remotest corners, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park recently hosted a two-day workshop under the Border Haat Entrepreneurship Program by the US Consulate Kolkata on July 29 & 30, 2025, at Bishalgarh Block in Tripura’s Sipahijala district.

The workshop brought together 42 spirited women entrepreneurs from areas near the Kasba Border between India and Bangladesh. These participants represented a range of sectors, including handloom, food processing, garments and local crafts.

Led by IIMCIP mentors Mr. Suman Mukhopadhyay (Director, Banglanatak dot com) and Mr. Subir Singha (VP-Rural Incubation, IIMCIP), the sessions were designed to build business confidence from the ground up, covering essentials such as growth strategy, customer segmentation, product promotion and distribution, unit economics and bookkeeping. The energy was palpable as participants began to reimagine their enterprises with fresh clarity and ambition.

The presence of Shri Anutosh Biswas from the US Consulate Kolkata further inspired the women, reaffirming the programme’s commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship and economic empowerment along India’s border regions.

With its impactful interventions spanning border haats in Meghalaya and Tripura, the programme is a powerful step towards dismantling social, economic and geographical barriers that often hold rural women back from building thriving businesses.

A heartfelt thank you to the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission for its unwavering support in making this event possible.

Through such interventions, IIMCIP continues to build an enabling ecosystem that supports sustainable entrepreneurship and drives inclusive economic development.

The Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta campus, buzzed with ideas, code and conversations as we hosted an unforgettable day exploring the future of Generative AI for startups!

Google AI Day for Startups in Kolkata was an electrifying celebration of innovation, insight and next-gen technology. Held at the IIM Calcutta campus, the event brought together the best of minds from the startup and AI ecosystems for a high-energy day of learning, collaboration and hands-on exploration.

The day kicked off with a warm welcome by Pranjal Konwar, COO at IIMCIP, setting the stage for
what turned out to be a transformative experience. The momentum quickly built with a thought- provoking panel discussion on & AI’s Next Wave: Agents, Multimodal and Monetisation,& featuring Deepak Daftari (Angel Investor), Prof. Vimal Kumar M (IIM Calcutta) and Manisha Sharaf (Co- Founder, SuperProcure), and moderated by Gaurav Kapoor, the CBO of IIMCIP. The panel delivered sharp insights into how AI is evolving and what it means for startups on the ground.

One of the most anticipated sessions of the day was led by Ajitesh Kumar (Customer Engineer,
Infrastructure Modernisation, Google), who took the audience on a deep dive into Gemini 2.5,
Gemma 3.0, Vertex AI, AI Studio, Multimodal Live, Imagen and Veo, bringing Google’s latest
advancements in Generative AI to life. This was followed by two back-to-back codelabs conducted by (VJ) Vijaykumar Jangamashetti, Senior Technical Solutions Consultant at Google, where participants got their hands dirty building a Travel Agent using MCP Toolbox and exploring Gemini 2.5 Pro on Google Cloud. The energy continued with a dynamic session by Usha Rengaraju, Google Developer Expert, who showcased how to prototype, build and run full-stack AI apps using Firebase Studio.

The event also gave startups a peek into Google for Startups programmes, thanks to an insightful talk by Enisha Kalita, Program Manager at Google. SRINIVAS GADHAVILLI, Head-Sourcing at IIMCIP, wrapped up the day with closing remarks, followed
by high tea and networking, where ideas continued to flow and connections took root. The event was a powerful reminder of how AI is reshaping what’s possible. Heres to more such collaborations, more innovation and a smarter, AI-powered startup ecosystem!

The Design India Impact Movement’s flagship incubation programme, NEST, in association with the IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, successfully conducted its first boot camp for the first batch of 11 teams from July 28 to 30, 2025, at the IIM Calcutta campus.

Day 1 began with a warm welcome and an engaging session on Visioning and Goal Setting by Mr. Gaurav Kapoor, CBO, IIMCIP. This was followed by a session on the ‘Entrepreneurship Lifecycle and Stakeholder Analysis’, conducted by Dr. Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO of IIMCIP. Post-lunch, participants took part in an interactive activity designed to deepen their understanding of business stakeholders.

The day concluded with a compelling fireside chat, where three startup founders, viz., Nivedita Chatterjee (Founder, Vigilantia Praesidium), Rohan Tripathi (Founder, Innovocare) and Soumitra Das Mohapatra (Founder, Metaspec), shared their startup journeys, focussing on the challenges and roadblocks they encountered in moving from prototype to market and securing early-stage funding. The session was moderated by Aditya Sen from IIMCIP and offered participants valuable real-world insights.

Day 2 was dedicated to Design Thinking, with Prof. C.D. Mitra introducing the participants to key concepts and the critical role of empathy as the starting point of the design thinking process. The session explored the characteristics of a design thinking mindset, followed by a hands-on Empathy Mapping exercise in the afternoon.

Day 3 featured a much-anticipated mentor meet, where participants were introduced to their respective mentors. These face-to-face conversations enabled mentors to understand the entrepreneurs’ business goals and identify the kind of support needed in their journey ahead. Mentors also reviewed the participants’ prototypes and provided feedback and suggestions for further development. This session marked the beginning of a six-month mentor-mentee engagement, aimed at helping the startups progress from Prototype to Market. Our sincere thanks to mentors Mr. Vasant Subramanium, Mr. Suman Mukhopadhyay, Mr. Kaustav Majumdar and Mr. Anil Bajaj for their time, insights and ongoing support.

The bootcamp saw enthusiastic participation, with active discussions and thought-provoking questions from all teams, setting a strong foundation for the months ahead.

AI Day for Startups 2025 – Kolkata

Date & Time: 06th August | 9:30 am – 4:30 pm

Venue: IIM Calcutta

Join the “AI Day for Startups – Kolkata” event hosted by IIM Calcutta in collaboration with Google for Startups and master the latest Generative AI tools and integrate them seamlessly into your applications.

AI Day for Startups is a series of multi-format events, designed by Google for Indian startups and hosted with the startup ecosystem partners across the country, to equip early-stage startups with the knowledge and tools to seamlessly integrate Generative AI solutions into their products.

Last year the focus was on helping startups getting started on GenAI, this year the focus is around bringing insights and hands-on experience around AI Agents, Multimodal AI, and discussing AI Commercialization (including ROI).

Upskill, explore, and network with like-minded startup founders and developers at our interactive sessions, and hands-on codelabs, learning from Google’s best as you build real-world Generative AI solutions.

Register today to reserve your spot!

RSVP Here: goo.gle/AI-Day-Startups

Agenda

The Spark Social Seminar series, as part of outreach for the 13^th edition of the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge, drew to a close following a remarkable month of meeting changemakers and igniting entrepreneurial aspirations among innovators across 10 premier startup incubators and academic institutions in the country.

The series began at I-Hub Gujarat, journeyed through SSN Incubation Foundation in Chennai, sparked energy at Startup Bihar and Startup Odisha, made impactful stops at AIC RNTU in Bhopal, Maker Village in Kochi, T-Hub in Hyderabad, IILM University in Noida and AIC-BHU in Varanasi, before concluding its vibrant run in Guwahati.

The sessions, altogether, witnessed participation of close to 500 aspiring changemakers, innovators and young entrepreneurs, creating vibrant spaces for dialogue, inspiration and ideation. Each seminar featured powerful storytelling by seasoned social entrepreneurs, sharing valuable insights from their real-life journeys, and awareness sessions led by senior officials from IIM Calcutta Innovation Park.

Far beyond traditional seminars, these gatherings served as catalysts for change,fostering awareness and purpose among India’s next generation of social innovators.

The 13th edition of the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 15,000 applications pouring in from across the country. Over the years, it has emerged as one of the most prestigious B-plan competitions for social entrepreneurs, playing a pivotal role in the growth of impactful startups like DeHaat and Niyo Farmtech, whose affordable agri-machinery innovations recently earned praises from none other than Bill Gates.

The first COHORT of the Bengal Business Accelerator Program—a flagship initiative by the Government of West Bengal in collaboration with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) under the World Bank-aided RAMP Scheme—was launched with an inaugural bootcamp in Kolkata from April 24-26, 2025. The 3-day bootcamp marked the official beginning of a transformative acceleration journey for 25 high-potential startups or MSMEs, selected from an overwhelming 266 applications received across sectors.

Designed to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools and mindset required to scale, the bootcamp brought together a power-packed lineup of mentors, industry leaders and startup experts.

Day 1: The opening day set the tone with a welcome session by Mr. P Choudhury, Jt Director, Department of MSME&T, Government of West Bengal, and Mr. Srinivas Gadhavilli, Head, Ecosystem Development at IIMCIP. They introduced the RAMP Scheme, the structure of the accelerator program and its vision to make Bengal a startup powerhouse. Following this, Mr. Gaurav Kapoor, CBO at IIMCIP, led an engaging ice-breaking session, helping founders to bond and set collaborative energy for the days ahead. The day progressed with Dr. Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO of IIMCIP, decoding the traits of fundable startups—insights to help participants align their business models with investor expectations. The afternoon sessions saw Dr. Ringo Rajagopal, CEO of uMobi Solutions, guide startups in building robust business roadmaps, followed by Mr. Kaustav Majumdar, Professor of Practice, who offered a deep dive into developing a compelling Customer Value Proposition. From customer research to refining product features, it was all about building lovable solutions that truly address user needs.

Day 2: Day two began with a masterclass by Mr. T. P. Pratap, Founder of Qwikcilver, on achieving product-market fit, validating offerings, segmenting customers and preparing for scale. A key highlight of the day was the entrepreneurial story shared by Mr. Madan M. Mohanka, Chairman of Tega Industries. His presence, along with Smt. Jayashree Mohanka, Member of the IIMCIP Board, brought immense value and gravitas to the programme, serving as a testament to Bengal’s legacy of innovation and leadership. This was followed by a session on lean manufacturing practices by Sri Manish Chandra Vinay, Dy Director of the National Productivity Council, giving startups a taste of operational efficiency. Mr. Sanjoy Sen, IIMCIP Mentor, led the next session on Customer Experience Journey Mapping, helping founders understand how to identify customer pain points and design for delight. The day concluded with a dynamic Diagnostics Panel, where a team of experts engaged directly with startups to evaluate their readiness and offer tailored advice. Panellists included Jayashree Mohanka TP Pratap, Sanjoy Sen, Suman Mukhopadhyay, Debapratim Das, Namami Ghosh, Srinivas Gadhavilli, Anil Bajaj, Sandip Bhatia and Supratik Bhowmik.

Day 3: The final day zoomed in on branding, marketing and pricing strategy. Prof. C. D. Mitra, Founder & CEO of Pipalmajik and Visiting Professor at IIM Calcutta, led a thought-provoking session on Branding and Promotion, covering everything from defining brand identity to executing promotional campaigns with consistency. This was followed by a highly relevant session on Pricing Strategy by Dr. Ritu Mehta, Professor at IIM Calcutta. The bootcamp wrapped up with a networking session, fostering peer-to-peer learning and open dialogue with mentors. The day ended with an interactive & networking session with MBA-Ex students in the Start Up Garage hackathon hosted by IIM Calcutta.

The bootcamp brought clarity, inspiration and momentum to the Cohort, laying the groundwork for what promises to be a powerful acceleration journey. As the accelerator programme moves into deeper mentorship and investor connects in the coming months, these 25 startups now stand better equipped with more sharpened acumen and clarity in ambitions.