Kolkata | March 01 2026: IIM Calcutta Innovation Park announced the successful conclusion of the Bengal Business Accelerator Programme – Cohort 2 with a high-impact Demo Day and Valedictory Ceremony at the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta campus. The programme is a Government of West Bengal initiative, implemented in collaboration with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and supported under the World Bank-aided RAMP Scheme, aimed at bridging the gap between Bengal’s early-stage ventures and investment readiness while strengthening the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The cohort concluded with 25 high-potential startups emerging ready for their next phase of growth.
The Demo Day featured intensive pitch sessions with leading investors, bankers, and entrepreneurs, enabling startups to receive strategic feedback and initiate early investment discussions. During the Valedictory Ceremony, participating startups were awarded certificates of recognition by the Government of West Bengal and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, in the presence of senior dignitaries and ecosystem stakeholders. Designed as a structured acceleration programme, the Bengal Business Accelerator Programme provides early-stage startups with targeted mentoring, market validation support, and direct access to capital networks, helping founders move from concept validation to investor readiness in a time-bound manner.
“Our objective with the Bengal Business Accelerator Programme goes beyond teaching business fundamentals by building a comprehensive support system that enables ventures to strengthen their business models, access new markets and connect with the right investors,” said Dr. VK Rai, CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. “The significant strides made by Cohort 2 companies during this programme reflect both the founders’ & dedication and strategic thinking, as well as Bengal’s maturing entrepreneurial environment, which continues to reinforce the state’s broader business ecosystem”
Spl. Secretary, MSME &; T Dept, Govt of West Bengal said, “Bengal has always been a land of visionaries and pioneers. Through initiatives like the Bengal Business Accelerator Programme, the Government of West Bengal is realising its commitment to reclaim the state’s rich entrepreneurial legacy by empowering promising enterprises with the resources, networks and guidance they need to drive sustainable socio-economic growth. Our partnership with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park reflects our belief that institutional collaboration is key to building a sustainable, innovation-driven future. With 25 startups now positioned for investor engagement and scale, the successful completion of Cohort 2 reinforces IIM Calcutta Innovation Park’s role as a key institutional catalyst for entrepreneurship in India, while advancing West Bengal’s long-term vision of building a resilient, innovation-led economy.
About IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP)
The IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) is a not-for-profit (Section 8) company established under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in India. Recognised by the Department of Science &; Technology, Government of India, IIMCIP’s mission is to nurture innovative, socially impactful entrepreneurs who can drive inclusive growth.
Its core offerings span structured mentoring, capacity building, seed funding and access to markets and investors. To date, IIMCIP has mentored over 2,000 startups and seed- funded 124 ventures, that have collectively raised more than ₹2,000 crore and built a cumulative portfolio valuation of nearly ₹8,000 crore.
IIMCIP also works closely with government bodies, corporates and academia to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem, foster high-impact collaborations and promote women’s entrepreneurship, with a special focus on underserved regions of the country.