IIM Calcutta Innovation Park Partners with Assam Innovation and Startup Foundation (AISF) to Boost Entrepreneurship in Assam
The collaboration aims to strengthen the Government of Assam’s initiatives to catalyse the state startup ecosystem development through strategic guidance, startup programmes & other measures.
Guwahati / Kolkata, 3rd November 2025:IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), one of India’s leading incubators under the aegis of IIM Calcutta dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Assam Innovation and Startup Foundation (AISF),a Section-8 company under the Government of Assam, to strengthen the state’s startup and innovation ecosystem.
The MoU was signed between Dr. Jeevan Basavaraj, IAS, Secretary, Department of Innovation, Incubation and Startups (DIIS), Government of Assam and Mr. Ajay Jain, Chairman, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and Member of the Board of Governors at IIM Calcutta.
Driving Assam’s Vision for a Thriving Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Through this partnership, IIMCIP will co-develop and execute strategic initiatives to nurture and empower entrepreneurs across Assam. The engagement will include advisory support, mentorship, capacity building, data-driven insights and programme design to foster a holistic culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The collaboration is aligned with the Assam Startup Policy 2025 and aims to transform Assam into a leading startup hub that promotes innovation-led growth, job creation and inclusive development.
“Assam has immense entrepreneurial potential waiting to be unlocked. Our partnership with AISF is a continuation of IIMCIP’s long-term commitment to the North East, and a step forward in building a dynamic, self-sustaining startup ecosystem in the state,” said Mr. Ajay Jain, Chairman, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. “We aim to leverage our experience in ecosystem design, mentorship and incubation to nurture a new generation of innovators from Assam who will contribute meaningfully to India’s growth story.”
Key Areas of Collaboration
Under the MoU, IIMCIP will:
• Provide strategic guidance and advisory support to strengthen Assam’s startup ecosystem and drive policy-linked interventions.
• Help design and implement programmes such as outreach, immersion, pre-incubation, incubation, acceleration and train-the-trainer modules.
• Enhance infrastructure by supporting the expansion of incubation facilities like Assam Startup – The Nest, Zonal Innovation Hubs, Institutional Innovation Cells and Tinkering Labs.
• Facilitate linkages among startups, academia, industry, investors and corporates to build a collaborative innovation network.
• Conduct impact assessments, research and communication campaigns to raise awareness and drive participation in entrepreneurship.
• Collaborate on capacity-building initiatives for Government officials, trainers and mentors to ensure sustainable ecosystem growth.
Building on IIMCIP’s Legacy in the North East
IIM Calcutta Innovation Park has played a pivotal role in nurturing more than 1,000 ventures across the North East, facilitating over ₹75 crore in funding for 300+ startups. Its pioneering efforts includepartnerships with the Governments of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya in the co-creation of state marquee startup incubators, as well as initiatives with the Government of Mizoram, the North Eastern Council and the Pernod Ricard India Foundation to identify, encourage and support emerging startups. Beyond urban innovation, IIMCIP has also driven grassroots entrepreneurship, catalysing 150 women-led rural enterprises in Assam under the NRLM-led NRETP Incubator Programme.
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 more than 2,000 startups and seed-funded 124 ventures, which have collectively raised over ₹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.
About Assam Innovation and Startup Foundation (AISF)
Assam Innovation and Startup Foundation (AISF) is a Section 8 company under the Department of Innovation, Incubation and Startups (DIIS), Government of Assam, instituted to build a robust and sustainable startup ecosystem, empowering innovation and entrepreneurship in the state. It serves as a platform for supporting, incubating and promoting startups and entrepreneurial initiatives across Assam.